Memorial Day weekend is a time to celebrate with family gatherings and also to reflect on those who gave all to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Fishing offers the time to do both – and this weekend is a perfect opportunity to take your youngsters out and collect some memories and smiles.
Maryland will host the first of three license-free fishing days June 3. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland for recreational purposes without an angler’s license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the Department of Natural Resources. All other fishing laws and regulations will apply on those days. Maryland’s free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and on the Fourth of July. Normally a license is required to Fish in Maryland but there are a few exceptions to this requirement:
- The first option is there are specific areas in Maryland that are designated License Free Fishing Areas throughout the tidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay and one nontidal location. You are required to observe all fishing laws and regulations. A free MD/PRFC angler registration is also required for anglers fishing without a license in designated tidal license free fishing areas, you may register online. You can see a list of license free locations on the following page: License Free Fishing Areas
- The second option is that Maryland hosts Free Fishing Days. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of the State for recreational purposes without an angler’s license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the State, but shall otherwise observe all fishing laws and regulations. Maryland’s free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4.
- Lastly, all those folks under 16 years of age are allowed to fish without a license.
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