More information on crabbing licenses, restrictions, possession limits and size limits is available in the 2021 Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing. Additionally, any passenger of a boat with a valid crabbing license doesn’t need an individual license to crab.Īll recreational crabbers are prohibited from selling crabs or possessing an egg-bearing (sponge) crab or any female hard or peeler crab. Ī recreational crabbing license is not required in the Atlantic Ocean or coastal bays and their tributaries. Only individuals with a commercial crabbing license may keep mature female crabs, as long as they are not egg-bearing. Pots must also be marked with the owner’s name and address or DNR identification number. In Maryland, you can keep both hard shell and soft shell blue crabs that are larger than the current set minimum size. No harvest of female blue crabs is allowed in Maryland beginning Dec. The season for catching crabs in the Maryland Coastal Bays is extended from Oct. 8, and those reduced catch limits will continue until Nov. Blue Crabs Fishing pressures have driven down the number of crabs in the Chesapeake Bay at various times throughout Marylands history. To protect other aquatic species, all crab pots used by waterfront property owners in Maryland must be fitted with a bycatch reduction or turtle excluder device in every entry funnel. The Chesapeake Bay regulations as previously posted will resume Nov. In addition, waterfront property owners, lessees, or tenants of a private shoreline property can register to crab license-free using up to two crab pots. Crab Seasoning and is fried to crispy perfection. This Maryland blue catfish recipe uses classic Old Bay or J.O. Put your apron on and get ready to help the Bay by cooking up some crispy blue catfish. Licenses are required for anyone who uses a trotline, collapsible crab traps, net rings, seines or eel pots.Ī license is not required for anyone using handlines or dip nets. The good news is that these invaders are delicious. The 2021 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, estimates that there are 282 million blue crabs in the. Recreational crabbing in Maryland can be done a variety of ways, with or without a license depending on the equipment and location. For the first time, Maryland will have catch limits for male crabs. The recreational crabbing season in Maryland officially opens April 1 for the Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries as well as in the Atlantic Ocean, coastal bays and their tributaries. BALTIMORE The Maryland blue crab population is so low that catch limits are coming this summer for anyone who goes crabbing. Photo by by Christine Edwards, First Place winner in the Summer category, 2018 Maryland Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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