Tilefish regulations in Maryland

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Not yet converted to a keeper check. As printed: season Open year-round; size Federal limits; limit Federal limits; permit and reporting required. Read the exact wording below.

Tilefish size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Federal waters	Open year-round	Federal limits	Federal limits; permit and reporting required

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' aliases/notes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/maryland/fishing/atlantic-seasons-sizes-limits

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: Federal limits
Limit: Federal limits; permit and reporting required
Federal waters — as printed: “Tilefish (Blueline, Golden, Sand) | Must follow federal limits and season, permit, and reporting requirements”

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

Check your tilefish in seconds

Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's Maryland rules.

Open SlotGauge for Tilefish

American Eel Black Drum Black Sea Bass Bluefish Cobia Atlantic Croaker Dolphin Grouper

About the tilefish

Species of fish

The great northern tilefish or golden tile, is the largest species in the family Malacanthidae (tilefishes). It grows to a length of between 38 and 44 inches. The great northern tilefish is a slow-growing and long-lived species that has four stages of life. After hatching from eggs, the larvae are found in plankton. As they grow into juveniles, the individuals seek shelter until finding or making their own burrows. As adults, the tilefish continue to expand their burrows in the sediment throughout their lives. The diet of the larvae is unknown, but presumed to consist of zooplankton; juveniles and adults feed upon various benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, and fish. After reaching sexual maturity between 5 and 7 years of age, females lay eggs throughout the mating season for the male to fertilize, with each female laying an average of 2.3 million eggs.

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

All 92 Maryland species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Tilefish in Maryland?

Federal limits in Maryland state waters.

How many Tilefish can you keep per day in Maryland?

Federal limits; permit and reporting required.

When is Tilefish season in Maryland?

Open year-round.

Is my Tilefish a keeper today?

Not yet converted to a keeper check. As printed: season Open year-round; size Federal limits; limit Federal limits; permit and reporting required. Read the exact wording below.