Anglers who accidentally catch a striped bass during the summer closure should release it immediately in the water. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo by Eric Packard.
The Department of Natural Resources reminds Maryland recreational anglers that targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries is prohibited from July 16 through July 31.
This closure, now in its sixth season, is necessary to protect the species, because when water and air temperatures rise in the hottest part of summer, fish are more vulnerable to dying after being caught and released.
While recent research has suggested that environmental factors, such as warm winters and low water flows are significant factors influencing spawning success, the summer closure of the recreational striped bass fishery is an important measure the department implemented to protect the resident stock of striped bass and decrease overall mortality in Chesapeake Bay.
During the season, DNR issues the Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast, which indicates when conditions warrant a “red flag” advisory, days on which anglers are encouraged not to fish for striped bass after 10 a.m. due to excessive heat.
Chesapeake Bay striped bass mortality distribution broken down by sector. In 2022, the distribution was 44% recreational harvest, 21% recreational dead discards, 31% commercial harvest, and 4% commercial dead discards. (Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources)
A midseason closure was introduced in 2020 and aims to protect fish during the weeks when weather conditions cause stress on striped bass and the chance of death from catch and release is high. Recreational dead discards, when a fish dies after being caught and returned to the water, accounted for 21% of total fishing-related striped bass deaths in the Bay in the most recent stock assessment data published in 2022.
The Chesapeake Bay recreational striped bass fishery will reopen from August 1 through December 10, at which time anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum length of 19 inches and a maximum length of 24 inches.
During the closure, DNR officials encourage anglers to pursue other fish instead of striped bass, such as invasive blue catfish and Chesapeake Channa, also known as snakehead, by using different fishing methods than those used for striped bass. These invasive species have no bag or size limits and their harvest contributes to a healthier ecosystem in the Bay. Tips and methods for fishing blue catfish can be found on the DNR website.
Maryland anglers can purchase their licenses online at MD Outdoors, at DNR service centers, or at sport license agent retailers.
