Maryland · Mid-Atlantic
Maryland saltwater fishing forecast
14 bay systems and 500 named spots on the Maryland Atlantic coast, with 10 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD at 80 for Red drum.
In peak season this week: Little tunny, Mahi-mahi, Red drum, Scup, Sheepshead and Spanish mackerel and 3 more.
- Bay systems
- 14
- Named spots
- 500
- Tide stations
- 10
- Species guides
- 21
Bay systems right now · 14
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 9:11 PM EDT. Best window is the rest of today.
ANZ532 · 33 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 80)
ANZ650 · 53 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 80)
ANZ543 · 166 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 80)
ANZ531 · 35 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 79)
ANZ539 · 11 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 79)
ANZ538 · 39 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 79)
ANZ536 · 8 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 79)
ANZ534 · 10 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 80)
ANZ533 · 8 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 78)
ANZ530 · 59 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 79)
ANZ541 · 46 named spots
Top now: Spot · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 75)
ANZ535 · 3 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 75)
ANZ542 · 11 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 10 PM-12 AM (peak 77)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Maryland bay system this hour.
- Red drum80Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Spot77Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Spotted seatrout72Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season - Little tunny68Great
Best in Coastal waters from Fenwick Island DE to Chincoteague VA out 20 NM · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Spanish mackerel68Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Summer flounder68Great
Best in Coastal waters from Fenwick Island DE to Chincoteague VA out 20 NM · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Atlantic croaker67Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season - Scup67Great
Best in Coastal waters from Fenwick Island DE to Chincoteague VA out 20 NM · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Sheepshead67Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Striped bass66Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season
Species guides · 21
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Maryland waters.
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagicPeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagicPeak season, changing this weekpeak
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshorePeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- ScupStenotomus chrysops · nearshorePeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshorePeak season, about 1 more weekpeak
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshorePeak season, about 1 more weekpeak
- SpotLeiostomus xanthurus · inshorePeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottomPeak season, about 1 more weekpeak
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicPeak season, about 1 more weekpeak
- Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus · pelagicShoulder season, about 10 more weeksshoulder
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagicShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- TautogTautoga onitis · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- WeakfishCynoscion regalis · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshoreOff season, about 6 more weeksoff
- Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus · bottom
Regulations and licenses
Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Synced with Maryland DNR Sep 18, 2026.
The recreational season, size and possession tables for the Chesapeake Bay and for the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays are published through eRegulations and linked from this DNR page; the tables hosted on dnr.maryland.gov are commercial. Tidal waters need a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License. Some anglers exempt from that license must get a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
No reviewed rules are on file for Maryland yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.