Last updated: August 11, 2026. For most anglers age 16 or older fishing Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, tidal tributaries, state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, or Atlantic coastal bays, the individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License costs $15 for residents or $22.50 for nonresidents and is valid for 365 days from purchase. A 7-day license costs $6 for residents or $12 for nonresidents. If you want one pleasure-boat license that lets anglers aboard fish in lieu of buying individual licenses, that is a separate Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License costing $50 for residents or $100 for nonresidents; passengers generally need the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. Current license information is available from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Quick Answer
Here is the essential Maryland Chesapeake Bay fishing license information at a glance:
- Annual individual license: $15 for residents or $22.50 for nonresidents, valid for 365 days from purchase.
- 7-day individual license: $6 for residents or $12 for nonresidents, valid for 7 consecutive fishing days.
- Consolidated sport boat license: $50 for a resident or $100 for a nonresident and allows anglers aboard the licensed pleasure boat to fish in lieu of individual licenses. Passengers generally need free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
- Free saltwater registration: Used by many anglers who qualify to fish Maryland tidal waters without their own individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License.
- Under age 16: No recreational fishing license or saltwater registration is required.
- 2026 free fishing days: June 6, June 13, and July 4. Other fishing regulations still apply.
- Crabbing: Separate gear and harvest rules apply. Handlines and dip nets can be used without a recreational crabbing license within the unlicensed catch limits.
| Option | Resident | Nonresident | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License | $15 | $22.50 | One angler fishing Maryland tidal/coastal waters regularly |
| 7-Day Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License | $6 | $12 | Short fishing trips |
| Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License | $50 | $100 | A pleasure boat carrying multiple anglers |
| Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License | $12 | Not available | Maryland residents age 65+; covers tidal and nontidal fishing but not the trout stamp |
| Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration | Free | Free | Certain anglers who may fish tidal waters without an individual Maryland tidal license |
License Term
An annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. The short-term version is valid for 7 consecutive fishing days.
Individual vs. boat license: An individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License covers one angler. The separate Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License lets anglers aboard the licensed pleasure boat fish in lieu of individual licenses.
The annual individual license costs $15 for Maryland residents and $22.50 for nonresidents. The 7-day option costs $6 for residents and $12 for nonresidents. License holders must still follow current seasons, size limits, possession limits, gear rules, and area closures.
If several people regularly fish from the same pleasure boat, compare individual-license costs with the boat option. The Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License is $50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents. Passengers fishing under the boat license generally need the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration unless another registration exemption applies.
Who May Fish Without a License
Maryland has several tidal-fishing license exemptions, but some exempt anglers must still complete the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
- Anglers under 16: No recreational fishing license or saltwater registration is required.
- Maryland residents on active-duty military leave: A Maryland resident serving on active duty with the armed forces may qualify to fish without the license while on leave with official leave orders.
- Passengers on a properly licensed pleasure boat: They can fish without individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing Licenses but generally must complete Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
- Licensed charter-boat passengers: An individual Maryland tidal license and separate saltwater registration are generally not required when fishing from a properly licensed charter vessel.
- Certain waterfront property anglers: Qualifying waterfront property owners and family members may be exempt from purchasing an individual license, but Maryland registration can still be required.
- Designated license-free tidal fishing areas: No paid fishing license is required, but the free Maryland/PRFC angler registration is generally still required.
- Maryland Free Fishing Days: No fishing license is required. In 2026 the dates were June 6, June 13, and July 4.
Because the exemption and registration rules depend on why you are fishing without an individual license, check the current eligibility chart on the Maryland DNR fishing-license page before relying on an exemption.
Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fish License Description
The individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License allows its holder to fish recreationally in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and Atlantic coastal bays and their tributaries.
That means the license is used for Maryland tidal and coastal fishing, including many Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City-area fishing situations. It is not the standard license for Maryland’s nontidal freshwater waters. If you are unsure which side of a tidal boundary your fishing location falls on, use Maryland’s official tidal/nontidal dividing-line guidance before buying.
The annual individual fee is $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents. The 7-day version costs $6 for residents and $12 for nonresidents. These individual licenses should not be confused with the separate $50 resident/$100 nonresident boat license.
Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration
The Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration is free. It is primarily for anglers who are allowed to fish Maryland tidal waters without purchasing their own individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License but who still must be registered with the state. Maryland’s registration also satisfies the applicable federal saltwater angler registry requirement.
| Situation | Individual Maryland Tidal License? | Maryland Saltwater Registration? |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger on pleasure boat displaying a qualifying boat license/decal | Generally no | Generally yes |
| Qualifying waterfront property owner/family member | May be exempt | Generally yes |
| Holder of a valid Virginia saltwater license fishing Maryland tidal waters | No under reciprocity | Yes |
| Angler fishing a designated tidal license-free fishing area | No | Yes |
| Angler under age 16 | No | No |
| Angler fishing on a Maryland Free Fishing Day | No | No |
If you already hold a valid individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, you do not need to obtain the free saltwater registration separately for the same fishing privilege. Registration is generally valid for 365 days unless the specific Maryland product states otherwise.
License Fees for Residents and Non-residents
For Chesapeake Bay and coastal fishing, the main price decision is whether you need an individual annual license, a 7-day license, or a pleasure-boat license. Current fees can be checked in the Maryland fishing license and fee schedule.
Products Worth Considering
[Compliance] This license plate is a decorative craft item, not a real license plate. It is for interior decoration only and is prohibited from being installed on vehicles. Please comply with US laws and state regulations.
Chesapeake Bay Maryland. Chesapeake Bay MD. Simple plain retro vintage university font classic standard design. Chesapeake Bay bridge.
Adventure Awaits – Explore the World! Celebrate your love for travel with these stunning geography-themed adult stickers, perfect for travel stickers for luggage and scrapbooks, featuring iconic landmarks, breathtaking landscapes, and city skylines. Ideal for laptops, water bottles, cars, and more—take a piece of your favorite destination with you wherever you go! Featuring the Chesapeake Bay Maryland design – Coastal Travel Souvenir Destination – a perfect pick for anyone who loves unique desig
Resident License Costs
Maryland residents have these common choices:
- Annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License: $15, valid for 365 days.
- 7-Day Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License: $6, valid for 7 consecutive fishing days.
- Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License: $50 for a resident purchaser.
- Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License: $12 for eligible Maryland residents age 65 or older, covering tidal and nontidal fishing. The trout stamp is not included.
Fees and terms can change, so check the official fee schedule before purchasing.
Non-resident License Fees
Nonresidents pay $22.50 for the annual individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License or $12 for the 7-day version. A nonresident Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License costs $100.
Maryland’s nontidal/freshwater license is a different product. The current nonresident annual nontidal fee starts at $55 or the reciprocal fee charged by the angler’s home state, whichever is higher. Do not use the freshwater fee to determine what you need for Chesapeake Bay tidal fishing.
How to Obtain a Saltwater Fishing License
You can purchase a Maryland Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License online or through Maryland’s in-person licensing network.
Products Worth Considering
Material :High-Quality Metal Aluminum With High Gloss Stamped Metal License Plate.Lightweight, Waterproof,Anti-Rust And Very Durable.
【Auto Parts Material】: Made of stainless steel, the design style is fashionable and the appearance is more beautiful, which is very suitable for decorating the front and rear of the car license plate. Make your car more attractive and recognizable, and make your car more distinctive.
MARYLAND STATE FLAG DESIGN: Features a textured, raised Maryland flag design for an authentic, high-end look and feel.
Application Process Overview
- Choose the correct product: Decide whether you need an individual annual license, 7-day license, boat license, senior license, or only the free saltwater registration.
- Buy online: Use Maryland Outdoors for license purchases and registration.
- Buy in person: Maryland DNR regional service centers and participating sport-license agents can issue fishing licenses.
- Check your fishing water: If you are unsure whether your location is tidal or nontidal, verify the boundary before buying.
License Types and Fees
The individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License is $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents for 365 days. Seven-day licenses are $6 and $12 respectively. The pleasure-boat version costs $50 for a resident purchaser or $100 for a nonresident purchaser. Eligible Maryland residents age 65 or older can buy the $12 Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License. Certain anglers instead need only the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
Do I Need a License? Quick Decision Guide
- You are 16 or older and fishing Maryland tidal/coastal waters on your own: Buy an individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License unless a specific exemption applies.
- You are a passenger on a pleasure boat with a qualifying Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License/decal: You generally do not need your own individual license, but you generally do need the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
- You hold a valid Virginia saltwater license: Maryland tidal reciprocity can apply, but you must obtain the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration.
- You are fishing a designated tidal license-free fishing area: You generally need the free angler registration even though you do not pay for a fishing license.
- You are fishing on a Maryland Free Fishing Day: No recreational fishing license or registration is required, but all other fishing rules still apply.
- You are under 16: No recreational fishing license or saltwater registration is required.
- You are a Maryland resident on active military duty and home on leave with official leave orders: You may qualify for the military license exemption.
- You are fishing from a properly licensed charter vessel or licensed commercial fishing pier: Separate individual licensing/registration requirements differ from ordinary private-boat fishing.
Maryland’s free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4. For 2026, those dates were June 6, June 13, and July 4.
Crabbing Licenses and Costs
Maryland recreational crabbing has separate licensing, gear, harvest, season, and day-of-week rules. A Recreational Individual Crabbing License currently costs $5 for a resident or $10 for a nonresident. A Maryland resident who already holds a Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License or Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License can obtain the individual crabbing license for $2. The Recreational Crabbing Boat License costs $15 for residents and nonresidents.
You can crab without a recreational crabbing license using only handlines or dip nets while staying within the unlicensed limits of up to two dozen male hard crabs and one dozen soft crabs or male peelers, or a combination of soft crabs and male peelers. A license can be required for gear such as trotlines, collapsible crab traps, net rings, seines, or eel pots used for bait.
Private waterfront property owners, lessees, or tenants can register for waterfront crab pots at no charge. Maryland currently limits that property registration to a maximum of two crab pots for the property. The registration does not count as an individual recreational crabbing license.
Chesapeake Bay and tidal-tributary recreational crabbing runs from April 1 through December 15. Recreational crabbing is generally prohibited on Wednesdays, with exceptions including handlines, dip nets, qualifying private-property crab pots, and certain holiday weeks. Check the current Maryland recreational crabbing license rules before your trip.
Products Worth Considering
Compact & Collapsible Design for Easy Storage: Engineered for convenience – this crab ring trap collapses down to to a space-saving size, making it incredibly easy to store and transport in your gear bag, kayak, or car trunk.
80G Reinforced Fishing Trap: Constructed from high-density 80g nylon mesh for superior strength and tear resistance. Reinforced with a wrapped steel frame and heavy-duty nylon rope, Our Crab Trap built to hold its shape perfectly without collapsing or deforming in any water condition.
Durable 2 Set Crab Trap: Crafted with high-strength stainless steel frame, the crab net mesh is made of high-quality Poly. High-strength material ensures the foldable crab nets Long Lasting and durable.
Reciprocity Agreements
Maryland and Virginia have tidal saltwater reciprocity. A person holding a valid Virginia saltwater fishing license may fish Maryland tidal waters without buying a Maryland individual tidal license if the person obtains the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. A valid Maryland Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License can likewise provide reciprocal access to Virginia tidal saltwater when the angler completes Virginia’s required saltwater registration.
Maryland also has reciprocal arrangements with West Virginia and Pennsylvania, but those agreements apply to specified nontidal waters such as portions of the Potomac River and certain reservoirs. They should not be treated as general Chesapeake Bay tidal reciprocity.
Separate rules also apply to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. Review the current Maryland reciprocal-license guidance before crossing a jurisdictional boundary.
Additional Resources and Information
The current Maryland fishing regulations cover species seasons, size limits, creel limits, gear restrictions, license-free areas, tidal boundaries, crabbing, and other rules. Use the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for current licensing and registration information.
How Do I Know Whether I Need a Tidal or Nontidal License?
The Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License applies on the tidal/coastal side of Maryland’s designated dividing lines. Upstream of a listed dividing point, nontidal fishing-license rules apply; downstream, tidal rules apply. Maryland publishes a county-by-county tidal/nontidal dividing-line guide for this purpose.
Registration Requirements Explained
If you buy an individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, you do not normally need separate free saltwater registration. The registration is mainly for qualifying unlicensed tidal anglers, including passengers on properly licensed pleasure boats, certain waterfront property anglers, Virginia saltwater license holders, and anglers using designated tidal license-free fishing areas. Some exempt groups, including anglers under 16 and people fishing on Maryland Free Fishing Days, do not need the registration.
Crabbing Regulations Overview
Recreational crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries runs from April 1 to December 15. Handlines and dip nets can be used without a crabbing license within the unlicensed harvest limits. Trotlines, collapsible traps, net rings, certain other gear, or higher catch limits can require a recreational crabbing license. Crabbing rules include separate size, sex, possession, time-of-day, and Wednesday restrictions, so check the current regulations before setting gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Fish From a Boat Without My Own Individual License?
Yes, in certain situations. If the pleasure boat displays a valid Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License or another qualifying boat license/decal, anglers aboard can fish in lieu of purchasing their own individual Maryland tidal licenses. Passengers generally must complete the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration unless another exemption applies. Simply owning an individual fishing license does not license everyone else on your boat.
Do Anglers Under 16 Need a Chesapeake Bay Fishing License?
No. Anglers under age 16 do not need a Maryland recreational fishing license and do not need Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. They must still follow applicable seasons, size limits, catch limits, and gear regulations.
Does the Chesapeake Bay License Cover Fishing Around Ocean City?
Yes, the Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License covers Maryland state waters of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Atlantic coastal bays and their tributaries, in addition to Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Other species-specific, federal, area, season, gear, or reporting rules can still apply.
Do I Need Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration if I Already Bought the License?
No. If you hold a valid individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, you do not separately obtain the free saltwater registration for the same fishing privilege. Registration is primarily for qualifying anglers who can fish Maryland tidal waters without purchasing their own individual tidal license.
What Should I Do if I Lose My Fishing License?
Maryland fishing licenses can generally be reprinted for free through your Maryland Outdoors account. Replacing a Consolidated Chesapeake Bay sport boat license decal is handled separately and currently carries a replacement fee, so contact a Maryland DNR Regional Service Center if the boat decal is lost.
Does a Maryland Chesapeake Bay Fishing License Cover Crabbing?
Do not assume the individual fishing license covers every recreational crabbing method or catch level. Maryland residents who hold a Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License can currently obtain an individual recreational crabbing license for $2. A separate Recreational Crabbing Boat License costs $15. Handlines and dip nets can be used without a crabbing license within the unlicensed harvest limits.
Conclusion
For most anglers age 16 or older fishing Maryland tidal or coastal waters, the simplest choice is the $15 resident or $22.50 nonresident annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License. Short trips can use the $6/$12 7-day option. Groups fishing from one pleasure boat should compare those individual costs with the separate $50 resident/$100 nonresident Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License and remember that passengers generally need free saltwater registration.
Before fishing, confirm your water is tidal rather than nontidal, check any exemption or reciprocity you plan to use, and review current species and crabbing regulations. Buy or manage licenses through Maryland Outdoors.
