Maryland Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater LegalFreshwater Permitted

Spearfishing is legal in Maryland, a coastal state with Atlantic Ocean, coastal-bay, and Chesapeake Bay tidal waters plus non-tidal (freshwater) rivers, lakes, and ponds.

License

Required: Maryland recreational fishing license, Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License (tidal) or Non-tidal (freshwater) Fishing License

Resident: Non-tidal (freshwater): $32.00 annual, $16.00 for 7 days (plus $20 trout stamp to target trout), increase effective 2025-06-01, confirmed at DNR news release. Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License: $15.00 annual, $6.00 for 7 days. Senior Consolidated (age 65+): $12.00, covering both tidal and non-tidal (trout stamp separate).

Non-resident: Non-tidal (freshwater): $55.00 annual, $45.00 for 7 days, $35.00 for 3 days (plus $30 trout stamp), confirmed at DNR news release. Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License: $22.50 annual, $12.00 for 7 days.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Allowed in both tidal and non-tidal waters.
• Pole spears: Allowed. A hand-thrown or hand-thrust spear is listed as permitted 'Spear' projectile gear in both tidal and non-tidal waters.
• On scuba: Not addressed / not prohibited. § 4-510 contemplates propelling a spear 'underwater', and neither COMAR 08.02.25.02 nor.03 restricts.
• Except for a gig, all projectile gear (spear, spear gun, archery equipment) must have a retrieval line attached.
• A gig may only be propelled by hand; the DNR-partnered eRegulations digest adds that a gig may have no more than three prongs.
• Projectile gear may not be shot within 100 yards of any human being, private or public swimming area, international diving flag, occupied.
• Snagging (foul-hooking) is prohibited.

Do not spear

• Striped bass
• All trout species
• Walleye
• Northern pike
• Muskellunge and muskellunge hybrids, including tiger musky
• Largemouth and smallmouth bass
• Snapping turtles
• All shark species, TIDAL waters
• American lobster, TIDAL waters
• Any species listed as threatened or endangered under COMAR 08.03.08

Area restrictions

• No projectile gear within 100 yards of any human being, public or private swimming area, international diving flag, occupied duck blind, or any.
• Non-tidal: projectile/spear gear may not be used in trout management areas (as described in COMAR 08.02.11.01) or in State-controlled community ponds.
• Non-tidal: the DNR-partnered eRegulations digest additionally lists 'any Fishery Management Area' as closed to spear gear, attribute to digest.
• Spawning-area/seasonal closures for striped bass and other species apply to all gear and further constrain where and when fishing may occur.

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fishing and Boating Services: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/