SlotGaugeCheck a catchTautog regulations in Maryland
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Tautog size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Ocean & coastal bays | July 1 – May 15 | 16 inch minimum | 4 (Jan 1 – May 15 and Nov 1 – Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1 – Oct 31) |
| Chesapeake Bay & tidal tributaries | July 1 – May 15 | 16 inch minimum | 4 (Jan 1 – May 15 and Nov 1 – Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1 – Oct 31) |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' notes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/atlantic-seasons-sizes-limits
- Catch-and-release only May 16 – June 30.
Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording
- Season
- July 1–May 15
- Size
- 16 inches
- Limit
- January 1–May 15: Daily—4; July 1–October 31: Daily—2; November 1–December 31: Daily—4
- Atlantic Ocean, coastal bays — as printed
- “Tautog | 16 inches | July 1–May 15 | January 1–May 15: Daily—4; July 1–October 31: Daily—2; November 1–December 31: Daily—4 | May catch-and-release May 16–June 30”
- Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries — as printed
- “Tautog | 16 inches | July 1–May 15 | January 1–May 15: Daily—4; July 1–October 31: Daily—2; November 1–December 31: Daily—4 | May catch-and-release May 16–June 30”
Source: Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the tautog
Species of wrasse (fish)
The tautog, also known as the blackfish, is a species of wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. This species inhabits hard substrate habitats in inshore waters at depths from 1 to 75 m. It is the only species in its genus.
Read more about Tautog on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Tautog in Maryland?
16 inch minimum in Maryland state waters.
How many Tautog can you keep per day in Maryland?
4 (Jan 1 – May 15 and Nov 1 – Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1 – Oct 31).
When is Tautog season in Maryland?
July 1 – May 15.
Is my Tautog a keeper today?
A tautog is a keeper today if it measures at least 16 inches, with a daily limit of 4.