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 north of Pooles Island MD at 88 for Striped bass.
In peak season this week: Black sea bass, Bluefish, Spotted seatrout, Striped bass and Tautog.
- Bay systems
- 14
- Named spots
- 500
- Tide stations
- 10
- Species guides
- 21
Bay systems right now · 14
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 3:03 PM EST. Best window is the rest of today.
ANZ530 · 59 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 88)
ANZ543 · 166 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 5-10 PM (peak 87)
ANZ534 · 10 named spots
Top now: Spotted seatrout · Best window 5-10 PM (peak 86)
ANZ533 · 8 named spots
Top now: Spotted seatrout · Best window 3-10 PM (peak 85)
ANZ541 · 46 named spots
Top now: Spotted seatrout · Best window 3-6 PM (peak 85)
ANZ531 · 35 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 3-10 PM (peak 86)
ANZ542 · 11 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 6-10 PM (peak 84)
ANZ535 · 3 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 6-10 PM (peak 87)
ANZ532 · 33 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 3-7 PM (peak 85)
ANZ539 · 11 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 3-9 PM (peak 87)
ANZ650 · 53 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 3 PM-12 AM (peak 84)
ANZ536 · 8 named spots
Top now: Striped bass · Best window 4-9 PM (peak 86)
ANZ538 · 39 named spots
Top now: Scup · Best window 4-9 PM (peak 82)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Maryland bay system this hour.
- 88Epic
- Spotted seatrout84Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - Tautog77Great
Best in Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River · scored in 14 bay systems
Peak season - 76Great
- 75Great
- Little tunny74Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season - Scup72Great
Best in Coastal waters from Fenwick Island DE to Chincoteague VA out 20 NM · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season - Weakfish71Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season - Red drum70Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season - Spot67Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA · scored in 14 bay systems
Shoulder season
Species guides · 21
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Maryland waters.
- Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshorePeak season, about 3 more weekspeak
- BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshorePeak season, about 3 more weekspeak
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runPeak season, about 7 more weekspeak
- TautogTautoga onitis · nearshorePeak season, about 8 more weekspeak
- Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus · pelagicShoulder season, about 3 more weeksshoulder
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagicShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshoreShoulder season, changing this weekshoulder
- ScupStenotomus chrysops · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- SpotLeiostomus xanthurus · inshoreShoulder season, changing this weekshoulder
- WeakfishCynoscion regalis · inshoreShoulder season, about 3 more weeksshoulder
- Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus · bottomShoulder season, about 3 more weeksshoulder
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshoreOff season, changing this weekoff
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshoreOff season, changing this weekoff
- Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottomOff season, about 3 more weeksoff
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicOff season, about 3 more weeksoff
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshore
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshore
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagic
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagic
Regulations and licenses
Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Synced with Maryland DNR Nov 3, 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.