reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-501 - Obstructing Passage of Fish Prohibited

An obstruction may not be placed at the mouth of any creek, cove, or inlet, or across any stream, so as to impound any fish and prevent its free passage to and from the water or its free access up and down the stream. However, a dam may be erected if fish ladders are maintained in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-503 - Dynamiting Streams Prohibited; Exception; Penalty

A person may not place, throw, or make use of any dynamite or other explosive substance in any water in the State, except for engineering, milling, or mining purposes. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $300 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-504 - Threshing Streams Prohibited; Exception in Kent and Queen Anne's Counties

A person may not whip or beat any waters of the State with a pole, stick, or any other thing in order to drive fish into any device for catching fish. In Kent County and Queen Anne’s County, this section applies only to waters of the Sassafras River and its tributaries.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-505 - Removing Fish, Nets, or Gear of Another Prohibited

A person may not molest, disturb, destroy, or catch and carry away fish belonging to another person from any boat, live box, crab pot, trot line, or the pocket or crib of any pound net or enclosed or gilled in any fish net of any kind, or take or carry away any net or gear belonging to another person used in catching fish. This section does not apply directly or indirectly to seine haulers actually engaged in laying and taking up nets when making a haul.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-506 - Interference With Fishing Nets and Stakes Prohibited

A person may not fasten, tie, or anchor any boat to or in any other way interfere with any other person’s fishing nets, stakes, or other personal property in or close to the waters of the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-506.1 - Intentional Disruption of Lawful Fishing Activity Prohibited

(a)    While on private or public land, or Maryland waters, a person may not for the purpose of disrupting a lawful fishing activity:
(1)    Interfere intentionally with the lawful taking of fish or other marine life by another person;
(2)    Intentionally harass, drive, or disturb any fish for the purpose of disrupting a lawful fishing activity;
(3)    Intentionally block, impede, harass, or disturb a person engaged in a lawful fishing activity;
(4)    Intentionally deny passage by creating or erecting barriers on public property or on private property without the landowner’s prior permission to areas where a lawful fishing activity is permitted; or
(5)    Intentionally hinder a lawful fishing activity by placing obstacles or objects in waters of the State.
(b)    The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any incidental interference arising from lawful activity by private land users or users of land managed by the Department, including farmers, miners, or persons engaged in recreation.
(c)    A Natural Resources police officer or other police officer of the State who has probable cause to believe that a person has violated this section may:
(1)    Order the person to desist or to leave the area; or
(2)    Arrest the person who refuses to desist or to leave the area.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-507 - Obstruction to Fishery; Interference With Haul Seine

A person may not sink any obstruction in the berth or haul of any fishery, or deliberately interfere with the operation of a haul seine after it has been set and is being hauled.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-508 - Vessel Intentionally Passing Through Nets Prohibited; Penalty

A skipper, captain or other person commanding a vessel, float, or boat may not pass knowingly, wantonly, maliciously, or as a result of gross negligence, through any net lawfully placed and marked. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine equal to the damages suffered by the owner or occupier of the fishery, and court costs.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-509 - Use of Electronic and Electrical Devices Prohibited; Exception; Penalty

A person may not use or attempt to use any electronic device on any boat in the waters of the State or on any aircraft within the State, or use or attempt to use any aircraft, to detect the presence of finfish for any purpose. However, fishermen may use depth finders from boats to detect the presence of finfish. A person also may not use or attempt to use any device that may lure finfish by electrical impulses. This section does not prohibit the Department from using any electronic or electrical device for scientific research, law enforcement or other purpose, nor prohibit use of a fathometer or depth recorder for navigational purposes. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-510 - Use of Spearguns

A person may fish with a speargun and spear in the waters of the State only under the rules and regulations, and control of the Department. A speargun as used in this section means any type of device used for propelling a spear underwater by any means other than manual in order to catch fish.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-511 - Interference With State Buoys, Markers, or Monuments Prohibited

A person other than a duly authorized officer of the Department may not move, destroy, or deface any State buoy, marker, or monument placed in the waters of the State, or fasten, tie, or anchor any boat to it.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-512 - Fishing Near Blind During Migratory Waterfowl Season Prohibited

During the open season for migratory waterfowl, a person may not fish by any means within 500 yards of any stationary blind or blind site which is occupied and is being used for hunting migratory waterfowl.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-513 - Maintenance of Water Quality and Aquatic Habitat Below Dam

Consistent with the requirements of any license issued by the federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a person who owns or operates a dam or obstruction on the waters of the State used for the generation of electric power and the Secretary shall cooperate to ensure the release of a sufficient flow of impounded water to maintain both water quality and aquatic habitat below the dam or obstruction.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 5 - Obstructing the Passage of Fish; Interference With Nets and Fishing, and Other Prohibitions Generally › Section 4-514 - Interference With Commercial Fishing Equipment

Except during an emergency, a person may not fasten, tie, or anchor a boat to another person’s commercial fishing equipment or device including the hedging, stakes, buoys, or anchors of the equipment or device.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-601 - "Angling" Defined

“Angling” means catching or attempting to catch fish by hook and line, with the line held in hand, attached to a pole or rod held in hand, or attended in a manner that the fish voluntarily takes bait or lure in its mouth.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-602 - Rules and Regulations Affecting Fish in Nontidal Waters

With due regard for distribution, abundance, economic value, and breeding habits of fish in nontidal waters, the Secretary may adopt rules and regulations to extend, restrict, or prohibit catching, possessing, purchasing, transporting, or exporting fish from nontidal waters.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-603 - Seasons to Catch Fish From Nontidal Waters

Pursuant to § 4–602 of this subtitle, the Department shall establish open seasons for catching species of game and freshwater fish in nontidal waters.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-607 - Complimentary License

(a)    (1)    The Department may issue annually a complimentary angler’s license to the President of the United States, the governor of any state, and any official of the game and fish department of any other state.
(2)    The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary angler’s license to any Maryland resident who certifies that the resident is a former prisoner of war or 100% service connected disabled American veteran.
(3)    The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary angler’s license to an out–of–state person who certifies that the person is a former prisoner of war or a 100% service connected disabled American veteran if the person’s state of residence extends similar privileges to former prisoners of war or 100% service connected disabled American veterans of this State.
(b)    Not more than 20 complimentary angler’s licenses for each state other than Maryland shall be outstanding at any time.
(c)    A complimentary angler’s license is not transferable and shall be issued without a fee.
(d)    For the purposes of this section, “former prisoner of war” means a person who, while serving in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States, was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy government or its agents, or a hostile force, during a period of armed conflict.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-608 - Fees to Be Credited to State Fisheries Management and Protection Fund; Accounting to State Treasurer

Any money the Department receives for angler’s licenses shall be accounted for by the Department to the State Treasurer. The amount the Treasurer receives shall be placed to the credit of angler’s licenses in the State Fisheries Management and Protection Fund, and the Treasurer shall pay out of it on warrant of the Comptroller upon requisition of the Department.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-610 - Duty to Possess and Show License When Angling

A person shall possess his angler’s license while angling in nontidal waters and, upon demand, shall exhibit the license to any Natural Resources police officer, law enforcement officer, or landowner or his representative.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-611 - Sale of Licenses by Persons Engaged in Retail Business

(a)    Any person engaged in a retail business who desires to sell angler’s licenses as an agent under the Department’s control and supervision shall apply to the Department and provide a bond or other security deemed sufficient and adequate by the Department to ensure payment for the licenses.
(b)    License fees collected by an agent shall be forwarded to the Department on a schedule and in a manner prescribed by the Department.
(c)    (1)    An agent may not make any false statement concerning any date of issuance or other license data.
(2)    An agent may not issue any license without receiving the license fees required by law.
(d)    In addition to any other penalty provided for in this title, any agent convicted of violating this section shall lose the agent’s privileges.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-612 - Inadvertent Violation of 4-610 of This Subtitle

If any person, convicted of violating § 4-610 of this subtitle under any penalty provided in this title, presents his angler’s license to the court within five days after his conviction, the court, if it determines the person held the license prior to his arrest and violation was due to inadvertence, may reduce by half any penalty originally imposed.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-613 - Suspension of License

(a)    The Department may suspend a person’s angler’s license if it is transferred to another person or used or presented to a law enforcement officer by a person other than the person to whom it was issued, pending the disposition of a criminal proceeding against the other person.
(b)    In addition to any penalty provided in this title, if any person is convicted of fishing without a proper angler’s license in his possession, or using another person’s angler’s license, the angler’s license shall be rendered void. The person upon whom the angler’s license is found and the licensee may not procure an angler’s license for 1 year following the date of conviction. However, the provisions of this section do not apply to a licensee who does not knowingly give his license to another.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-614 - Trout Stamps

(a)    (1)    The Department shall adopt regulations to establish fishing areas where a trout stamp is required.
(2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a person may not fish or possess trout in an area established in paragraph (1) of this subsection unless the person first obtains a trout stamp in addition to an angler’s license.
(3)    A trout stamp is not required of the following:
(i)    A holder of a current resident consolidated senior sport fishing license issued under § 4–216 of this title;
(ii)    A holder of a lifetime complimentary angler’s license for 100% service connected disabled American veterans or former prisoners of war issued under § 4–607(a)(2) or (3) of this subtitle;
(iii)    A person authorized by a disability exemption issued under § 4–217 of this title;
(iv)    Any resident serving in the armed forces of the United States while on leave in the State, during the resident’s leave period, if, while angling, the resident possesses a copy of the resident’s official leave order; or
(v)    A person under 16 years of age.
(4)    The stamp may be obtained from the Department or an authorized agent of the Department.
(b)    A person is not required to have a trout stamp to possess trout taken from:
(1)    Any privately owned lake or pond that is stocked with trout artificially propagated by commercial hatcheries or purchased from persons licensed to sell fish; or
(2)    Any fee fishing lake or pond operated under § 4–11A–20 of this title.
(c)    The following annual trout stamp fees shall apply:
(1)    Resident    $5
(2)    Nonresident    $10
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-616 - Sizes and Creel Limits

The Department shall set annually by rule or regulation the daily creel, possession, and size limits, for game and freshwater fish. The Department shall publish the rule or regulation by October 25 for the ensuing year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-617 - Restrictions on Fishing

(a)    The Department may regulate, supervise, and control ice–fishing.
(b)    White shad, hickory shad, and herring may be caught or taken only by angling, unless otherwise provided.
(c)    A person may catch large or small mouth black bass from nontidal waters of the State only by angling. An artificial lure is legal.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-625 - Restrictions Pertaining to Deep Creek Lake

(a)    A person may not build, construct, have constructed, or place any wharf, pier, dock, float, or any projection along or running into or over the waters of Deep Creek Lake without first obtaining a written permit from the Department and the lessors of the area.
(b)    The Department, for proper fish management, may close as many as three tributaries to the lake for their length, at any one time, or prohibit fishing during the period between one hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise if necessary to police the area properly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 6 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Nontidal Waters › Section 4-627 - Compliance With Subtitle and Regulations

A person may not catch or possess any game and freshwater fish except during the period and in the manner provided in this subtitle, unless changed by rule or regulation the Department promulgates.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-701.1 - Commercial Northern Snakehead Bowfishing License

(a)    There is a commercial northern snakehead license.
(b)    (1)    The license authorizes the holder to catch for sale northern snakeheads in the tidal waters of the State using:
(i)    A bow and arrow attached to a retrieval line; or
(ii)    Hook and line.
(2)    A licensee may not fish with a bow and arrow under the license within 100 yards of:
(i)    Another person or vessel;
(ii)    A public or private swimming area;
(iii)    A diver down flag; or
(iv)    An occupied offshore stationary blind.
(c)    An applicant for a license does not need to hold a tidal fish license under § 4–701 of this subtitle to be eligible for the license.
(d)    A person who wishes to obtain a license shall complete and submit an application for the license to the Department or any person designated by the Department.
(e)    The term of the license is 1 year from September 1 through August 31 of the following year.
(f)    The annual license fee is $15.
(g)    A licensee may not transfer a license issued under this section.
(h)    A licensee who fishes for northern snakehead under the license shall possess the license.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-702 - Commercial Activity Involving Finfish or Shellfish

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not buy for resale finfish, crabs, or shellfish from waters of the State unless the person is licensed and authorized as a seafood dealer under § 4–701 of this subtitle.
(b)    The following persons are not required to obtain a seafood dealer authorization under this section:
(1)    A person who buys finfish, crabs, or shellfish for personal use or consumption;
(2)    A person who buys for resale finfish or shellfish species defined as bait under subsection (c) of this section; and
(3)    A person who buys finfish, crabs, or shellfish from a person with a seafood dealer authorization under § 4–701 of this subtitle.
(c)    (1)    Any person not otherwise licensed under § 4–701(d)(2)(ii)2 of this subtitle that harvests and sells finfish or shellfish species defined as bait under paragraph (3) of this subsection shall obtain a bait harvester permit from the Department.
(2)    The annual fee for a bait harvester permit is $25.
(3)    The Department shall adopt regulations defining which species of finfish and shellfish may be caught and sold as bait in accordance with a bait harvester permit issued under this subsection.
(d)    The Department shall adopt regulations to define the species that are included as shellfish under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-704 - License to Catch Finfish

(a)    An applicant for a license to catch finfish shall furnish information the Department requires.
(b)    The Department may not grant a license to any person, under the provisions of this subtitle, to set a pound net on the location occupied by any other pound net or within 4,500 feet in the Chesapeake Bay or 1,500 feet in a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay measured at right angles to the line of stakes, unless the other licensee failed to apply for renewal of his license by the expiration date of the year for which it was granted.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-704.1 - License to Catch Striped Bass

A person may not catch striped bass for sale unless the person has purchased a valid license to catch striped bass from the Department under § 4-701 of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-705 - License Renewal or Expiration During Armed Forces Service or War Emergency

A license does not lapse if the licensee fails to renew or make bona fide use of his license because of induction or enlistment into the armed forces or employment in essential war industries, and the licensee applies to the Department for the renewal of his license within one year of the termination of hostilities or from the date of his release from the armed forces. If a licensee cannot fish every net for which he was licensed at any time during a war emergency because of some condition arising out of a war, he may not be deprived of his right to a license for these nets thereafter.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-708 - Operation When License Suspended or Revoked

(a)    A person may not:
(1)    Commit a separate violation of this title related to the suspended or revoked license or authorization while the person’s license or authorization to fish or deal in fish under § 4–701 of this subtitle is suspended or revoked; or
(2)    Engage in an activity for which a license or an authorization is required under § 4–701 of this subtitle without holding that license or authorization.
(b)    A person may not set any net during the time his commercial net fishing license is suspended or revoked.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-712 - Rights of Riparian Owners Relating to Nets or Haul Seines

(a)    The owner, tenant, or lessee of any property bordering on tidal waters of the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, except the waters of the Great Choptank River, lying in the State, by virtue of his ownership or occupancy, may make first choice of the set or position to place nets or establish a haul seine fishery to catch fish for commercial use in front of the property for which he possesses riparian rights. The section does not permit any riparian owner or anyone acquiring the right of a riparian owner to fish with nets or seine in any manner prohibited by this subtitle.
(b)    In any year, any other person may set any net or haul seine in front of the property of a riparian property owner if the owner, tenant, or lessee of the riparian rights does not exercise the privilege of locating the position where he desires to set his nets or haul seine within 20 days after receiving notice from the other person who desires to locate his nets or fishery in front of the riparian owner’s property.
(c)    The notice required by this section shall be mailed to the owner, tenant, or lessee of the shore property. If the name and address are unknown, then notice shall be posted for 20 days on a board fastened to a stake driven in the water directly in front of the property and within 300 feet of the shore.
(d)    This section does not grant by reason of the notice any right to any fisherman to fish without the permission of the shore owner in water within 1500 feet of any shore used as a resort so as to interfere with bathing or boating.
(e)    (1)    The notice provisions of this section do not apply in the waters of Baltimore, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, and Talbot counties where the permission of the shore owner always shall be necessary.
(2)    The provisions of this section do not apply to Anne Arundel, Calvert, Cecil, Queen Anne’s, Kent, and Somerset counties.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-718 - Fishing Restrictions -- Charles County

(a)    A person may not use a haul seine greater than 960 feet in length in the tributaries of the Potomac River, and not greater than 1800 feet in length in the St. Mary’s County waters of the Wicomico River and its tributaries. Any person who possesses a seine greater than these lengths while actively engaging in seining in these waters is guilty of violating this subsection.
(b)    A person may set a licensed haul seine and gill net at a distance greater than one third the distance across a river, creek, cove, or inlet in any of the tributary waters of Charles County only to catch carp and catfish, notwithstanding any other section of this subtitle. A person may not set the net to impede or obstruct navigation or block in any way the main channel of the river, creek, cove, or inlet. Any person who catches fish of a variety other than carp or catfish in any net shall return them immediately to the water unharmed. A person always shall attend a net for catching carp or catfish. Any person whose net is found more than one third the distance across the waters where it is set without a person in attendance is guilty of violating this subsection. The provisions of this subsection do not apply from March 1 through April 30 and September 1 through November 30 in each year.
(c)    A person may not set a net of any description to catch fish in the Wicomico River proper above Woodland Point in Charles County.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-719 - Fishing Restrictions -- Dorchester County

(a)    A person may not set a haul seine or seine of any description, or what is commonly called a put net, to catch fish in the following waters of Dorchester County: Transquaking River and Chicamacomico River and their tributaries, Big and Little Blackwater Rivers, White Hall Creek, Hurst’s Creek, Shoal Creek, and Jenkins Creek.
(b)    A person may not set a patent twine weir, or any other twine weir, a pound net and hauling seine of a length greater than 350 feet in Blackwater River and its tributaries except Little Blackwater River. A person also may not fasten or stick a stake in the part of Blackwater River lying between a line drawn from Grog Point to the opposite side of the river and a line drawn from Berg’s Ditch to the opposite side of the river, except in the bends of the river where stake weirs now exist.
(c)    A person may not set a gill net in the waters of Fishing Bay or Transquaking River north of a line drawn from Blackwater Point to Irish Creek, up the Transquaking River to Destroys Creek, or set any net whose farther end extends more than 1200 feet from shore or more than one third the breadth of the water at the place where the net is fished, or closer than 600 feet of another net in the Transquaking or Chicamacomico River. A person may not set any net whose farther end extends more than one half the breadth of the water at the place where the net is fished or closer than 600 feet of another net in the waters of the Transquaking River above Decourcey Bridge or placed in or across the channels of these rivers. In the waters of Fishing Bay south of a line drawn from Blackwater Point to Irish Creek and north of a line drawn from Roasting Ear Point to the northwesterly most point of the entrance to Duck Island Cove, a person may not set any weir more than 1200 feet from shore, or set any gill net or weir closer to each other than 1200 feet, or set any row of gill nets more than 1200 feet in length. A person may not set any weir beyond a depth of 18 feet in the waters of Fishing Bay south of the line from Roasting Ear Point to the northwesterly most point of the entrance to Duck Island Cove.
(d)    A person may not place pound nets, weirs, or hedges less than one third of a mile apart in the northwest branch of the Nanticoke River, from Walnut Landing to the place known as Chimney Landing, on the west branch of this stream.
(e)    A person may fish only with hook and line, eel pot, or gill net with at least a three–inch mesh in Goose Creek and Indian Creek.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-720 - Fishing Restrictions -- Cecil and Harford Counties

A person may not use a haul seine in the water area west of a line from Locust Point to the pumping station at Perry Point. This section does not prohibit catching fish for conservation or scientific purposes under the supervision of the Department, or prohibit catching carp. If 25 or more rockfish are found in a seine or net, there is a violation of this section, and the exception stated does not apply. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine of at least $100 and not more than $1,000 with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-721 - Fishing Restrictions -- Harford County

(a)    A person may not fish with a hauling seine or stake net in the waters of Swan Creek from July 15 to September 15, both dates inclusive, and in the waters of the Gunpowder River lying in Harford County from May 15 to September 15, both dates inclusive.
(b)    A person may not fish at any time with a haul seine in the waters of Bush River or any of its tributaries in Harford County.
(c)    (1)    A person may not fish a pound net in any part of the Gunpowder and Bush rivers lying in Harford County further than 1,500 feet from the shoreline of the Gunpowder River below Maxwell Point at mean low water tide and 750 feet from the shoreline of the Bush River at mean low water tide.
(2)    (i)    Except within the boundaries of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, a person may not set a fyke net in the Bush River within 300 feet of another fyke net or 750 feet of a pound net, measured at right angles to existing nets or line of nets for enforcement purposes.
(ii)    An owner, tenant, or lessee of the riparian rights of any property bordering the Bush River may maintain a single fyke net that is closer than 300 feet to another fyke net or pound net set in front of an adjacent property.
(d)    A person may not use a pound net or stake net in the waters of the Susquehanna River.
(e)    (1)    A person may not set or maintain a commercial drift gill net, stake gill net, or anchor gill net so that any portion of the net is closer than 500 feet from any portion of any other commercial drift gill net, stake gill net, or anchor gill net in the designated striped bass spawning area of the Susquehanna River north of Concord Point and Stump Point.
(2)    South of the line outlined, in paragraph (1) of this subsection, to Bears Point and Turkey Point, a person may set a commercial drift gill net only as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection and may set and maintain a stake gill net or anchor gill net only as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-722 - Fishing Restrictions -- Kent County

A person may set a pound net in the waters of Sassafras River and its tributaries lying in Kent County from Luke’s Point to the head of this river from August 1 to May 31 following, both dates inclusive. A pound net may not be set so as to obstruct the haul of any seine on any established fishing shore on these waters, unless set by the owners of the fishing shore.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-723 - Fishing Restrictions -- St. Mary's County

(a)    A person may not fish with any kind of seine or net in the waters of Chaptico Bay and the Wicomico River within the limits of St. Mary’s County, within 1500 feet of any established duck blind during the open season for shooting ducks or other wild fowl.
(b)    A person may not set a fish trap, net, or haul seine in the waters of St. Catherine’s Sound in St. Mary’s County. However, a gill net not exceeding a length of 90 yards is permitted.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-724 - Fishing Restrictions -- Somerset County

A person may not drag or set any haul seine to catch fish in the waters of Monie Bay and its tributaries easterly of a straight line drawn from Long Point to Wingate Point in Somerset County.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-725 - Fishing Restrictions -- Talbot County

In the waters of Talbot County, a person may set only the following types of nets in the areas and during the times prescribed:
(1)    Any net at any time in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay bordering Talbot County;
(2)    Any net at any time in the waters of the Choptank River southeast of a straight line drawn from Benoni’s Point to Chlora’s Point;
(3)    Gill nets and fyke nets at any time in any of the waters of Talbot County; and
(4)    Haul seines in Harris Creek southerly and downstream from a straight line drawn between Station Hawk on the west side and Indian Point on the east side if the mesh in all seines is in bar not less than one and one-half inches.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-727 - Fishing Restrictions -- Worcester County

(a)    A person may not fish with a stationary net extended completely across the middle third of the waters measured in a straight line from the east to west shoreline of Sinepuxent Bay north of South Point, Isle of Wight Bay, Assawoman Bay and St. Martin’s River.
(b)    A person may not haul or fish with any haul or set seine, or leave or permit to remain setting, any set seine in the waters of Sinepuxent Bay and its tributaries north of South Point, during the period between 6 o’clock p.m. Saturday, and 6 o’clock a.m., of the following Monday.
(c)    A person may only fish with a rod, or hook and line in the waters of Herring Creek which lie south of the State Road Bridge.
(d)    A person may not fish in the waters of Sinepuxent Bay or its tributaries within the limits of Worcester County with any seine or net of any description having meshes less than one and one-half inches square. However, during the months of July, August, September, and October, a person may fish for fat backs and croakers with any seine or net of this description.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-729 - Fishing Restrictions -- Choptank River

A person may not set a haul seine of any description in the waters of the Choptank River and its tributaries from May 21 to July 31, both dates inclusive.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-730 - Fishing Restrictions -- Patuxent River

(a)    A person may not set, nor construct any kind or description of net in the Patuxent River from Queen Anne Bridge to the mouth of the river, within 1,500 feet in every direction from any other net, without the permission of the owner of the other net. In addition, a person may not set, nor construct, any net more than 425 feet in length, including the net’s leaders, hedges, or wings, below a straight line from Holland’s Cliffs across the river to a point on the shore directly opposite Holland’s Cliffs, or more than 150 feet in length including the net’s leaders, hedges, or wings, above the straight line from Holland’s Cliffs. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to floating gill nets or seines.
(b)    A person may not set or haul any seine or gill net in any creek, cove or tributary of the Patuxent River if the mouth of the creek or tributary is less than 200 feet wide.
(c)    A person may not set or haul any drifting gill net in the Patuxent River south of the Patuxent River Bridge or in any creek, cove, or tributary of the river south of the Patuxent River Bridge at any time.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-731 - Sale, Purchase, or Transportation of Striped Bass or Rockfish

(a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not sell, offer for sale, or transport across a boundary of the State any striped bass, commonly known as rockfish, caught from the State waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries unless the person possesses one of the following:
(i)    A valid commercial fishing license issued in his name;
(ii)    A dated bill of sale signed by the licensed commercial fisherman who caught the fish; or
(iii)    A dated bill of sale signed by a dealer or wholesaler from whom the fish were purchased.
(2)    However, a nonresident of the State who has caught striped bass from State waters by hook and line may transport across a boundary of the State not more than 100 pounds of striped bass on any day for any purpose other than sale.
(b)    A person may not knowingly buy any striped bass caught from the State waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from any person except the licensed commercial fisherman who caught the fish, or a wholesaler or retailer of fish.
(c)    Any person who buys striped bass caught from State waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries for the purpose of resale shall maintain records showing every purchase made during the preceding 90 day period, the date and place of each purchase, the quantity purchased, and the name of the person from whom the fish were purchased.
(d)    Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-732 - Department May Prohibit Fishing During Spawning Season of Striped Bass

The Department may restrict or prohibit by rule or regulation catching fish in areas where striped bass spawn during the spawning season of striped bass.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-733 - Possession of Fish Whose Size or Weight Cannot Be Determined

A person may not possess aboard any boat on the tidal waters of the State more than 15 pounds of any fish for which a size or weight limit is prescribed by law, or rule or regulation in a condition that the size or weight of the fish cannot be determined.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-734 - Legal Size of Certain Fish

(a)    A person may not sell, offer to buy or sell, or possess any of the following fish:
(1)    Bass, largemouth or smallmouth less than 15 inches from March 1 through June 15, and less than 12 inches from June 16 through the end of February;
(2)    Pike less than 14 inches; and
(3)    Taylor less than 8 inches.
(b)    Measurement for each fish mentioned above shall be from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail.
(c)    The Department may set the size limits for white perch. However, the Department may not prohibit catching white perch more than 8 inches.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-735 - Fishing Restrictions -- Black Bass and Chain Pickerel

(a)    During the open season, a person may not catch by means of rod, or hook and line, more than ten chain pickerel in any one day.
(b)    A person may not catch chain pickerel in the tidal waters of the State during the period from March 15 to April 30. A person may not sell, offer to sell, purchase, offer to purchase, or possess any chain pickerel during this period caught in tidal waters of the State.
(c)    A person may not catch chain pickerel in any manner in the tidal waters of the State except with rod, or hook and line using natural or artificial baits. A person shall return uninjured immediately to the water any chain pickerel caught in any net, seine, or other device legally engaged in other fishing. However, a person may retain no more than one day’s legal creel limit of ten chain pickerel for his own private use during the open season.
(d)    Chain pickerel may not be transported into or out of the State during April, May, and June. Anglers, however, may possess and transport chain pickerel caught with rod, or hook and line, in accordance with the provisions of this section. This subsection does not prevent shipment in interstate commerce of live chain pickerel for propagating, breeding, or stocking purposes under § 4–11A–21 of this title, nor prevent any person from catching or engaging in catching chain pickerel for propagating or restocking the waters of the State under the direction of the Department under § 4–410 of this title.
(e)    The Department is authorized to supervise, regulate, and control the harvest of black bass in the tidal waters of the State.
(f)    The Department shall adopt regulations concerning the fishing for black bass by area, gear, season, size, and catch limits.
(g)    The provisions of this section do not apply to catching, selling, purchasing, or possessing black sea bass.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-736 - Fishing Restrictions -- Eels

(a)    The Department may supervise, regulate, and control catching eels in the tidal waters of the State. In exercising this power, the Department may prescribe the areas within and methods by which eels may be caught.
(b)    (1)    A person may not catch eels for sale with pots or other devices in the tidal waters of the State without first obtaining a tidal fish license to catch finfish for commercial purposes from the Department.
(2)    A licensee who is authorized to catch blue crabs under this subtitle may use up to 50 pots to catch eels for personal use as crab trotline bait without obtaining an authorization to catch finfish.
(c)    The Department shall adopt rules and regulations concerning commercial fishing for eels by area, gear, season, size, and reporting of catch.
(d)    Each individual who catches eels for sale or for personal use as bait shall make catch reports, as prescribed by rule or regulation, on forms provided by the Department.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-738 - Fishing Restrictions -- Snapping Turtles

(a)    A person may not catch or attempt to catch snapping turtles in the tributary waters of Charles County from April 15 to May 31, inclusive. A person may not use hook and line and trotline to catch snapping turtles in these waters.
(b)    The Department may not prohibit the use of turtle pots in areas where nets are prohibited.