Striped Bass (lakes and ponds) regulations in Maryland

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A striped bass (lakes and ponds) is a keeper today if it measures at least 18 inches, with a daily limit of 2.

Striped Bass (lakes and ponds) size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Maryland nontidal waters (statewide; special areas differ)	Open year-round	18 inch minimum	2, only 1 over 30 in

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' limit/aliases/notes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/freshwater-seasons-sizes-limits
Illegal to keep striped bass from nontidal streams and rivers.

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 18 inches
Limit: 2 striped bass/hybrid striped bass per day, only one of which may be over 30 inches
Inland waters — as printed: “STRIPED BASS AND HYBRID STRIPED BASS (LAKES AND PONDS) | 18 inches | Open Year Round | 2 per day, only one of which may be over 30 inches | It is illegal to keep striped bass and hybrid striped bass caught in nontidal streams and rivers.”

Source: Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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About the striped bass

Species of fish

The striped bass, also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also been widely introduced into inland recreational fisheries across the United States. Striped bass found in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate strain referred to as Gulf Coast striped bass.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Striped Bass (lakes and ponds) in Maryland?

18 inch minimum in Maryland state waters.

How many Striped Bass (lakes and ponds) can you keep per day in Maryland?

2, only 1 over 30 in.

When is Striped Bass (lakes and ponds) season in Maryland?

Open year-round.

Is my Striped Bass (lakes and ponds) a keeper today?

A striped bass (lakes and ponds) is a keeper today if it measures at least 18 inches, with a daily limit of 2.