Maryland fishing license
Maryland requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. Maryland Department of Natural Resources runs licenses from the date of purchase rather than on a license year: 365 days from the date of purchase.
Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources · Reviewed July 30, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Maryland, the official match is 3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only).
- 3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only)$35 · Allows the licensee to fish the fresh waters of Maryland for 3 consecutive fishing days.
What it covers
- 3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only) — freshwater. Reciprocal — your home state's fee applies; this is the minimum fee in DNR's published table. The per-home-state 3-day fees in the February 2, 2026 table (Natural Resources Article Sec. 4-604) range from $35.00 up to $78.00.Limits on this license: Available to nonresidents only; non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $35.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
Required add-ons
No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.
You may also need
Maryland Department of Natural Resources publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.
- Resident Trout Stamp — Allows Maryland residents 16 years of age or older to catch, attempt to catch, or possess trout taken from non-tidal waters of Maryland. No longer included with the Resident Senior Consolidated License. · $20
- Non-Resident Trout Stamp — Allows non-residents of the State of Maryland 16 years of age or older to catch, attempt to catch, or possess trout taken from non-tidal waters of Maryland. Non-resident seniors must also purchase it. · $30
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- 3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only) covers the full trip: Allows the licensee to fish the fresh waters of Maryland for 3 consecutive fishing days.
Other options you are eligible for
- 7-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident) — $45 for this trip · 7 consecutive fishing days.Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $45.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
- Annual Non-Tidal (Freshwater) License (nonresident) — $55 for this trip · 365 days from the date of purchase.Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $55.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
Exceptions that may change it
- Maryland's most recently published free fishing day was July 4, 2026 (July 4); check the agency for the next one; the agency also publishes First Saturday in June and Second Saturday in June. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- 3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only): Available to nonresidents only; non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $35.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
- An angler "fishing from a licensed charter boat" needs no individual tidal fishing licence, and no state registration either - the vessel's Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Charter Boat Licence covers everyone fishing on board.
- An angler "fishing from a licensed commercial fishing pier" needs no individual licence and no registration; the pier's Commercial Fishing Pier Licence covers unlicensed and unregistered individuals fishing from it.
- An angler fishing on a designated free fishing pier does not need a tidal licence, but must be "a registered angler with the State of Maryland".
- A passenger fishing from a boat holding a valid tidal/saltwater licence (decal) issued by Maryland, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission or the Commonwealth of Virginia does not need an individual Maryland tidal licence, but must be a registered angler with the State of Maryland.
- Maryland waterfront property owners and their family members may fish tidal waters without an individual licence; in the tidal Potomac River this also covers the owner or the owner's non-paying guest fishing from private real property or an attached pier.
- Anglers fishing in one of Maryland's designated licence-free fishing areas - located throughout the tidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay plus one non-tidal location - may fish without a licence.
- "Is a resident of MD, on active duty with the armed forces, on leave with official leave orders" - such an angler needs no tidal licence and no registration.
- "Complimentary annual tidal and non-tidal licenses are available to residents and nonresidents who are blind."
- A complimentary lifetime licence is available to Maryland residents who are 100% service-connected disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, or who are deemed unemployable by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. It incorporates the non-tidal angler's licence, trout stamp, Chesapeake Bay sport fishing licence and recreational oyster licence.
- This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.
Check current Maryland regulations(external, opens the official state website)Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.
- Source
- Maryland Sport Fishing & Crabbing Licenses(external, opens the official state website) — Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Validity
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
Answers at a glance
Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.
Visiting for a day
Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day
3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only)
Published total: $35
Resident for the season
Adult Maryland resident · freshwater · all year
Annual Non-Tidal (Freshwater) License (resident)
Published total: $32
Visiting for a saltwater day
Adult visiting from another state · saltwater · one day
Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, 7-day (nonresident)
Published total: $12
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. An individual whose fixed, permanent and principal home for legal purposes is located in the State of Maryland; a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty and stationed officially in the State; or a member of the armed forces of the United States who is officially stationed outside the State of Maryland whose legal residence is Maryland.
Age-based rules
- "Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a license to go fishing recreationally." This applies in both tidal and non-tidal waters, and no registration is required.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Non-Tidal (Freshwater) License (resident)(external, opens the official state website)Non-tidal (fresh) waters only; a separate Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing licence is required for tidal waters. | ResidentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | freshwater | Allows the licensee to fish in the fresh waters of Maryland 365 days from the date of purchase. | $32 |
| 7-Day Non-Tidal License (resident)(external, opens the official state website)Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. | ResidentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | freshwater | Allows the licensee to fish the fresh waters of Maryland for 7 consecutive fishing days. | $16 |
| Annual Non-Tidal (Freshwater) License (nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $55.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf. | Non-residentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | freshwater | 365 days from the date of purchase. | $55 |
| 7-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $45.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf. | Non-residentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | freshwater | 7 consecutive fishing days. | $45 |
| 3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only)(external, opens the official state website)Available to nonresidents only; non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $35.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf. | Non-residentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | freshwater | Allows the licensee to fish the fresh waters of Maryland for 3 consecutive fishing days. | $35 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, annual (resident)(external, opens the official state website)Tidal waters only; a separate non-tidal licence is required for Maryland fresh waters. | ResidentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | saltwater | Allows an individual to fish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic coastal bays and tributaries 365 days from the date of purchase. | $15 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, annual (nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)Tidal waters only. | Non-residentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | saltwater | 365 days from the date of purchase. | $22.50 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, 7-day (resident)(external, opens the official state website)Tidal waters only. | ResidentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | saltwater | 7 consecutive fishing days in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal bays. | $6 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License, 7-day (nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)Tidal waters only. | Non-residentIndividuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence. | saltwater | 7 consecutive fishing days. | $12 |
| Resident Senior Consolidated License(external, opens the official state website)Maryland residents only. Covers both the fresh waters of Maryland and Maryland's tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, Atlantic coast and coastal bays. "The Resident Senior Consolidated License no longer includes the trout stamp" - the trout stamp must be bought separately to fish for trout. | ResidentA Maryland resident who is 65 years of age or older or will become 65 years of age in the current calendar year. | freshwater and saltwater | Valid 365 days from the date of purchase. | $12 |
| Consolidated Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License (decal)(external, opens the official state website)Bought by the boat owner. Allows everyone on board a vessel used for pleasure to fish the Bay, its tributaries, the state Atlantic waters and coastal bays in lieu of individual licences - but those individuals must still hold the free Maryland registration. Not valid as a Recreational Crabbing Boat License. Nonresident price is $100. | Resident or visitor | saltwater | 365 days from the date of purchase. | $50 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Charter Boat License (up to 6 passengers)(external, opens the official state website)Held by the licensed fishing guide, not the angler. "Allows individuals on board chartered vessels operated by MD licensed fishing guides to fish ... in lieu of individual licenses." Anglers fishing from a licensed charter boat need neither a licence nor a registration. | Resident or visitor | saltwater | 365 days from the date of purchase. | $240 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Charter Boat License (more than 6 passengers)(external, opens the official state website)Held by the licensed fishing guide, not the angler; covers the individuals fishing on board in lieu of individual licences. | Resident or visitor | saltwater | 365 days from the date of purchase. | $290 |
| Commercial Fishing Pier License(external, opens the official state website)Held by the pier operator, not the angler. "Provides for a fee pier to have unlicensed and unregistered individuals fish from the pier. The licensee must submit contact information on all pier anglers as prescribed by the Department." | Resident or visitor | saltwater | 365 days from the date of purchase. | $240 |
Annual Non-Tidal (Freshwater) License (resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Non-tidal (fresh) waters only; a separate Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing licence is required for tidal waters.
- Who
- Resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Allows the licensee to fish in the fresh waters of Maryland 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $32
7-Day Non-Tidal License (resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Non-tidal (fresh) waters only.
- Who
- Resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Allows the licensee to fish the fresh waters of Maryland for 7 consecutive fishing days.
- Price
- $16
Annual Non-Tidal (Freshwater) License (nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)
Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $55.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
- Who
- Non-resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $55
7-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)
Non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $45.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
- Who
- Non-resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- 7 consecutive fishing days.
- Price
- $45
3-Day Non-Tidal License (nonresident only)(external, opens the official state website)
Available to nonresidents only; non-tidal (fresh) waters only. $35.00 is the minimum; the exact fee depends on the angler's home state - see the Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees table at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Documents/NonResident_Nontidal_Sportfishing_License_Fees.pdf.
- Who
- Non-resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Allows the licensee to fish the fresh waters of Maryland for 3 consecutive fishing days.
- Price
- $35
Tidal waters only; a separate non-tidal licence is required for Maryland fresh waters.
- Who
- Resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- Allows an individual to fish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic coastal bays and tributaries 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $15
Tidal waters only.
- Who
- Non-resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $22.50
Tidal waters only.
- Who
- Resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 7 consecutive fishing days in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal bays.
- Price
- $6
Tidal waters only.
- Who
- Non-resident · Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a licence.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 7 consecutive fishing days.
- Price
- $12
Resident Senior Consolidated License(external, opens the official state website)
Maryland residents only. Covers both the fresh waters of Maryland and Maryland's tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, Atlantic coast and coastal bays. "The Resident Senior Consolidated License no longer includes the trout stamp" - the trout stamp must be bought separately to fish for trout.
- Who
- Resident · A Maryland resident who is 65 years of age or older or will become 65 years of age in the current calendar year.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $12
Bought by the boat owner. Allows everyone on board a vessel used for pleasure to fish the Bay, its tributaries, the state Atlantic waters and coastal bays in lieu of individual licences - but those individuals must still hold the free Maryland registration. Not valid as a Recreational Crabbing Boat License. Nonresident price is $100.
- Who
- Resident or visitor
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $50
Held by the licensed fishing guide, not the angler. "Allows individuals on board chartered vessels operated by MD licensed fishing guides to fish ... in lieu of individual licenses." Anglers fishing from a licensed charter boat need neither a licence nor a registration.
- Who
- Resident or visitor
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $240
Held by the licensed fishing guide, not the angler; covers the individuals fishing on board in lieu of individual licences.
- Who
- Resident or visitor
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $290
Commercial Fishing Pier License(external, opens the official state website)
Held by the pier operator, not the angler. "Provides for a fee pier to have unlicensed and unregistered individuals fish from the pier. The licensee must submit contact information on all pier anglers as prescribed by the Department."
- Who
- Resident or visitor
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Price
- $240
Freshwater and saltwater
Maryland licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. Check which waters your license covers before you fish — a freshwater license does not cover saltwater unless the option explicitly says it does.
State license vs federal registry. Maryland runs its own angler registry. "Saltwater anglers who are not required to hold a Maryland Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing license and want to fish the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac River must obtain a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. By registering with Maryland, you will not need to register with NOAA." Holders of a Maryland tidal fishing licence are likewise covered by the state programme.
Stamps, endorsements and report cards
- Resident Trout Stamp — Allows Maryland residents 16 years of age or older to catch, attempt to catch, or possess trout taken from non-tidal waters of Maryland. No longer included with the Resident Senior Consolidated License. · $20
- Non-Resident Trout Stamp — Allows non-residents of the State of Maryland 16 years of age or older to catch, attempt to catch, or possess trout taken from non-tidal waters of Maryland. Non-resident seniors must also purchase it. · $30
- Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration (free) — Required, in place of a licence, for tidal anglers who are not individually licensed: passengers on a vessel displaying a MD, VA or PRFC boat licence decal, Maryland waterfront property owners and their family members, anglers fishing a designated licence-free fishing area or free fishing pier, and holders of a Virginia saltwater licence fishing Maryland tidal waters. · No charge · this is a report card or registration, not a paid stamp
Exemptions worth knowing
- An angler "fishing from a licensed charter boat" needs no individual tidal fishing licence, and no state registration either - the vessel's Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Charter Boat Licence covers everyone fishing on board.
- An angler "fishing from a licensed commercial fishing pier" needs no individual licence and no registration; the pier's Commercial Fishing Pier Licence covers unlicensed and unregistered individuals fishing from it.
- An angler fishing on a designated free fishing pier does not need a tidal licence, but must be "a registered angler with the State of Maryland". Still required: The angler must first obtain the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration online through Maryland Outdoors, at a DNR regional service centre, or from a sport licence agent.
- A passenger fishing from a boat holding a valid tidal/saltwater licence (decal) issued by Maryland, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission or the Commonwealth of Virginia does not need an individual Maryland tidal licence, but must be a registered angler with the State of Maryland. Still required: The passenger must hold the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration; register through Maryland Outdoors, a DNR regional service centre, or a sport licence agent.
- Maryland waterfront property owners and their family members may fish tidal waters without an individual licence; in the tidal Potomac River this also covers the owner or the owner's non-paying guest fishing from private real property or an attached pier. Still required: Online state registration is required - the free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration must be obtained before fishing.
- Anglers fishing in one of Maryland's designated licence-free fishing areas - located throughout the tidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay plus one non-tidal location - may fish without a licence. Still required: "A free MD/PRFC angler registration is also required for anglers fishing without a license in designated tidal license free fishing areas". All fishing laws and regulations must still be observed.
- "Is a resident of MD, on active duty with the armed forces, on leave with official leave orders" - such an angler needs no tidal licence and no registration. Still required: No licence or registration is required, but the angler must be on leave and carrying official leave orders.
- "Complimentary annual tidal and non-tidal licenses are available to residents and nonresidents who are blind." Still required: The licence is free but must be obtained: apply to Maryland DNR licensing (complimentary licence issuance), and carry it while fishing.
- A complimentary lifetime licence is available to Maryland residents who are 100% service-connected disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, or who are deemed unemployable by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. It incorporates the non-tidal angler's licence, trout stamp, Chesapeake Bay sport fishing licence and recreational oyster licence. Still required: The applicant must furnish a letter of disability or a letter of certification from the Veterans Administration together with a completed and signed Fishing License Application, scanned or faxed to a DNR Licensing & Registration Service Center.
- "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."
Free fishing days
- First Saturday in June. Maryland DNR publishes the rule rather than dated entries: "Maryland's free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4." No licence, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing licence or stamp is required; all other fishing laws and regulations still apply.
- Second Saturday in June. Maryland DNR publishes the rule rather than dated entries: "the first two Saturdays in June and July 4".
- July 4 — July 4, 2026. July 4 is published as a fixed free fishing day each year.
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- Maryland Sport Fishing & Crabbing Licenses(external, opens the official state website) — Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Retrieved
- July 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
- Also consulted
- Nonresident Nontidal Sportfishing License Fees, Natural Resources Article Sec. 4-604 (revised February 2, 2026)(external, opens the official state website)
- Free Fishing - Maryland DNR(external, opens the official state website)
- Getting Started - Licensing (definition of a Maryland resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.
Nearby states
Licenses are issued state by state — a Maryland license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.