Maryland Crabbing Regulations

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April 1–Dec 15.

Rivers, creeks and tributaries:

• April and Oct through Dec. 15—one half hour after sunrise to sunset.
• May through Sept—one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Chesapeake Bay Mainstem:

• April and October through Dec. 15—one half hour after sunrise to 5 p.m.
• May through September—one half hour before sunrise to 5 p.m.

Using properly registered crab pots on private property, dip nets or handlines is permitted 24 hours a day.

Male hard crab:

• April 1–July 14—5 inches
• July 15–Dec 15—5¼ inches

Male peeler crab:

• April 1–July 14—3¼ inches
• July 15–Dec 15—3½ inches

Soft crab:

• April 1–Dec 15—3½ inches

• To sell crabs.
• To possess an egg-bearing (sponge) crab or any female hard or peeler crab.
• To set or fish a trotline, collapsible trap or crab net ring within 100 feet of another individual’s set gear.
• To fish crab gear which belongs to another person.
• To harvest crabs while SCUBA diving.
• To use gear other than the gear listed in the table below.