Maryland fishing license prices depend on where you fish, how long you plan to fish, and whether you are a Maryland resident. As of September 18, 2026, a resident annual nontidal fishing license costs $32, while the standard nonresident nontidal fee starts at $55 but may be higher under Maryland’s reciprocity rule. Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport licenses cost $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents.
Quick Answer
A Maryland resident annual nontidal fishing license costs $32 in 2026. A nonresident nontidal license starts at $55 but can cost more because Maryland uses reciprocal pricing. Annual Chesapeake Bay and Coastal licenses are $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents. Licenses are sold through Maryland Outdoors.
Key Takeaways
- A resident annual nontidal/freshwater license costs $32, and a resident 7-day nontidal license costs $16.
- Nonresident nontidal fees use reciprocity. The listed annual, 7-day, and 3-day amounts are $55, $45, and $35 respectively, but the actual fee can be higher.
- Annual Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport licenses cost $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents; 7-day licenses cost $6 and $12.
- Trout stamps cost $20 for residents and $30 for nonresidents age 16 or older when required for nontidal trout fishing.
- Maryland now uses Maryland Outdoors for online recreational licensing rather than the older COMPASS system.
Maryland Fishing License Prices by Type
Maryland fishing license prices vary by residency, water type, and duration. The current fee schedule is published by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Most fishing licenses, stamps, and registrations are valid for 365 days from purchase unless a shorter term is specifically stated.
| License or Stamp | Resident | Nonresident | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nontidal/Freshwater | $32 | $55 minimum/reference fee* | 365 days |
| 7-Day Nontidal | $16 | $45 minimum/reference fee* | 7 consecutive fishing days |
| 3-Day Nontidal | Not offered | $35 minimum/reference fee* | 3 consecutive fishing days |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport | $15 | $22.50 | 365 days |
| 7-Day Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport | $6 | $12 | 7 consecutive fishing days |
| Trout Stamp | $20 | $30 | 365 days unless otherwise specified |
| Resident Senior Consolidated | $12 | Not offered | 365 days |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat | $50 | $100 | 365 days |
*Maryland applies reciprocity to nonresident nontidal fishing licenses. The fee may be the listed Maryland amount or the comparable amount charged to a visiting Maryland angler by the nonresident’s home state, whichever rule produces the applicable higher fee.
Note: Do not assume every nonresident will pay exactly $55, $45, or $35 for nontidal fishing. Check the price displayed by Maryland Outdoors for the angler’s state of residence before payment.
The biggest pricing difference for visiting freshwater anglers is reciprocity: a nonresident’s home state can affect the final Maryland nontidal license fee.
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Resident And Non-Resident Prices
Maryland generally charges residents less than nonresidents, but the difference depends on the license. Tidal Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport licenses have fixed resident and nonresident prices, while nonresident nontidal licenses are affected by reciprocity.
Maryland defines a resident for licensing purposes as someone whose fixed, permanent, and principal legal home is in Maryland. Certain active-duty military members also qualify under Maryland’s resident definition.
Resident License Costs
For Maryland residents, the main fishing options are:
- Annual Nontidal/Freshwater Fishing License: $32 for 365 days.
- 7-Day Nontidal Fishing License: $16 for seven consecutive fishing days.
- Annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License: $15 for 365 days.
- 7-Day Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License: $6.
- Resident Trout Stamp: $20 when required for trout fishing in nontidal waters.
- Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License: $12 for qualifying Maryland residents.
The $12 Senior Consolidated license is available to a Maryland resident who is at least 65 or who will turn 65 during the current calendar year. It includes tidal and nontidal fishing privileges, but it no longer includes the trout stamp.
Non-Resident License Costs
Nonresident anglers should separate Maryland’s fixed tidal prices from its reciprocal nontidal pricing.
- Annual Nontidal/Freshwater: listed at $55, subject to the reciprocity rule.
- 7-Day Nontidal: listed at $45, subject to the reciprocity rule.
- 3-Day Nontidal: listed at $35 and available only to nonresidents, subject to the reciprocity rule.
- Annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport: $22.50.
- 7-Day Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport: $12.
- Nonresident Trout Stamp: $30 when required.
- Nonresident Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat License: $100.
Because the final freshwater fee can depend on the angler’s home state, the amount shown during checkout in Maryland Outdoors is the amount to verify before buying.
Trout Stamp Prices
Maryland’s resident trout stamp costs $20, and the nonresident trout stamp costs $30. Anglers age 16 or older generally need the appropriate trout stamp to catch, attempt to catch, or possess trout taken from Maryland’s nontidal waters.
A trout stamp is separate from the regular fishing license. This is especially important for senior residents because the $12 Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License no longer includes a trout stamp.
A trout stamp is not required in every situation. For example, Maryland’s current guide lists exemptions for trout taken from certain privately owned lakes and ponds and licensed fee-fishing lakes and ponds.
Saltwater License And Trout Stamp Fees
The Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License is Maryland’s main individual license for recreational fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, the state’s Atlantic Ocean waters, coastal bays, and their tributaries.
The annual license costs $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents. A seven-day version costs $6 for residents and $12 for nonresidents.
Pro Tip: Before buying, confirm whether your fishing location is classified as tidal or nontidal. Maryland publishes tidal/nontidal dividing lines, and buying the wrong license may leave you without the privilege required for that water.
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Saltwater License Costs
| Category | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport | $15 | $22.50 |
| 7-Day Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport | $6 | $12 |
| Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Boat | $50 | $100 |
| Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration | Free when applicable | Free when applicable |
The free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration is not a universal substitute for the Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License. It applies to certain people who are legally exempt from buying an individual tidal license but still must register. Examples can include passengers on boats displaying qualifying sport-fishing boat licenses, qualifying waterfront property anglers, and people fishing in designated license-free tidal areas.
Other categories, including anglers under 16 and people fishing on Maryland Free Fishing Days, may be exempt from both the individual tidal license and registration requirement.
Trout Stamp Fees
A trout stamp applies to nontidal trout fishing, not ordinary saltwater fishing. The resident stamp costs $20 and the nonresident stamp costs $30.
| Category | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Trout Stamp | $20 | $30 |
| Annual Bay & Coastal License | $15 | $22.50 |
| 7-Day Bay & Coastal License | $6 | $12 |
Most individual licenses can be reprinted for free through a Maryland Outdoors account. One important exception is the Consolidated Bay sport boat license decal, which currently carries a $5 replacement fee.
Free Fishing Options And License Exemptions
Maryland provides several ways to fish legally without buying a standard fishing license, but each exemption has conditions.
- Anglers under 16: Recreational anglers younger than 16 generally do not need a Maryland fishing license.
- 2026 Free Fishing Days: Anyone may fish without a recreational fishing license on June 6, June 13, and July 4, 2026. All other fishing regulations remain in effect.
- License-Free Fishing Areas: Maryland designates certain locations where no fishing license is required. A free saltwater angler registration may still be required in designated tidal license-free areas.
- Maryland residents on military leave: A Maryland resident serving on active duty may fish without a fishing license while on official leave when carrying the required leave orders.
Property-based exemptions are more specific than simply owning waterfront property. In nontidal waters, qualifying owners or tenants and certain family members residing on the property may fish from the property’s riparian shoreline without a standard license. Maryland also provides tidal exemptions for qualifying waterfront property anglers, although saltwater registration can still be required.
Complimentary annual tidal and nontidal fishing licenses are available to qualifying blind residents and nonresidents. Maryland also provides complimentary lifetime fishing privileges to certain Maryland residents who are 100% service-connected disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, or considered unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Because exemptions depend on the angler, water, property, and fishing method, check the Maryland DNR free-fishing guidance and current licensing rules before relying on an exemption.
How To Buy A Maryland Fishing License Online
Maryland recreational fishing licenses are now purchased online through Maryland Outdoors. Maryland DNR says most licenses are available immediately after purchase, and an online fishing-license transaction generally takes less than 10 minutes.
- Open Maryland Outdoors: Sign in to an existing account or create the appropriate customer account.
- Confirm your information: Make sure your residency and personal information are accurate so the system can display eligible products and fees.
- Select the fishing license: Choose the nontidal, Bay & Coastal, short-term, senior, or other license that matches your trip.
- Add required privileges: Add a trout stamp if you will be trout fishing and the stamp requirement applies to you.
- Review the final price: Nonresidents should pay particular attention to the nontidal fee because reciprocity can affect it.
- Complete checkout: Submit payment and retain the license documentation provided by Maryland Outdoors.
- Print or retain your license: DNR states that online products are effective immediately when applicable, and customers can print their license document.
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Maryland Outdoors | Access current license products |
| 2 | Confirm residency and account details | Eligible fees are displayed |
| 3 | Choose license and required stamps | Correct privileges are added |
| 4 | Complete payment | Most licenses become available immediately |
Maryland also sells recreational licenses through sport-license agents, DNR Regional Service Centers, and by mail. DNR states that license prices are the same regardless of when or how the license is obtained.
Maryland Crabbing License Costs And Rules
Maryland recreational crabbing costs depend on the water, gear, and license held. In the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, an individual recreational crabbing license generally costs $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents. A Maryland resident who already holds a Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License or Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License can obtain the individual crabbing license for $2.
| Crabbing License or Registration | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident individual recreational crabbing license | $5 |
| Qualifying resident with Bay & Coastal or Senior Consolidated license | $2 |
| Nonresident individual recreational crabbing license | $10 |
| Recreational crabbing boat license | $15 |
| Waterfront property crab-pot registration | Free |
In the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, the recreational blue-crab season runs from April 1 through December 15. An unlicensed individual using only permitted license-free methods such as handlines or dip nets may generally take up to 2 dozen male hard crabs and 1 dozen soft crabs or male peelers, or a combination of soft crabs and male peelers.
A licensed individual may generally take up to 1 bushel of male hard crabs, or 6 dozen if using a container other than a bushel basket, plus up to 2 dozen soft crabs or male peelers or a combination of the two. Recreational possession of female hard or peeler crabs is prohibited in the Chesapeake Bay fishery.
For Chesapeake Bay male hard crabs, the current minimum size is 5 inches from April 1 through July 14 and 5¼ inches from July 15 through December 15. Soft crabs have a 3½-inch minimum, while male peeler minimum sizes change during the season.
Recreational crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay is generally prohibited on Wednesdays. Exceptions include handlines and dip nets, registered crab pots from private property, and certain weeks when a state or federal holiday occurs on Wednesday or Thursday.
Private waterfront crab-pot registration is free and valid for 365 days. In applicable Chesapeake Bay waters, registered property users may use no more than two crab pots, and the pots must generally be placed within 100 yards of shore and marked as required.
Atlantic Ocean and coastal-bay rules are different. Maryland’s 2026 recreational rules provide an April 1 through December 31 blue-crab season in the Atlantic Ocean, coastal bays, and their tributaries. Recreational crabbing there does not use the same individual license requirement as Chesapeake Bay crabbing, although gear-marking, size, possession, and other regulations still apply.
Warning: Blue-crab limits, minimum sizes, legal gear, and time-of-day rules can differ by location and may change. Check the current Maryland recreational blue-crab regulations before setting gear or keeping crabs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Maryland Fishing License for Seniors?
The Resident Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License costs $12. It is available to Maryland residents who are 65 or older or who will turn 65 during the current calendar year. It covers both tidal and nontidal fishing for 365 days, but a required trout stamp must be purchased separately.
Do Seniors Need a Fishing License in MD?
Yes, Maryland seniors generally still need the appropriate license unless another exemption applies. Maryland residents who qualify by age can purchase the $12 Senior Consolidated Sport Fishing License. The senior license does not include the trout stamp.
Why Is a Maryland Fishing License So Expensive?
Fishing-license revenue helps Maryland fund fisheries work such as fish stocking, monitoring, management, hatchery operations, invasive-species programs, and fishing infrastructure. Nonresident freshwater licenses can also appear more expensive because Maryland uses reciprocal pricing based partly on what the angler’s home state charges visiting Maryland anglers.
Can I Buy My Maryland Fishing License Online?
Yes. Maryland fishing licenses can be purchased online through Maryland Outdoors. Most licenses are available immediately after purchase, and customers can print their license documentation from the system.
How Much Is a Maryland Fishing License for a Nonresident?
A nonresident annual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License costs $22.50. For nontidal fishing, Maryland lists an annual amount of $55, a 7-day amount of $45, and a 3-day amount of $35, but reciprocal pricing can make the actual nontidal fee higher depending on the angler’s home state.
Is Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration the Same as a Fishing License?
No. The Saltwater Angler Registration is a free registration used by certain anglers who are exempt from purchasing an individual Chesapeake Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing License. It does not allow someone who otherwise needs a fishing license to avoid buying one.
Conclusion
Maryland fishing license costs are straightforward for most residents but require a little more checking for nonresidents. A resident annual nontidal license is $32, annual Bay & Coastal access is $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents, and trout stamps cost $20 or $30. Nonresident freshwater anglers should confirm their final reciprocal fee before checkout. Use Maryland Outdoors for current purchases, select the license that matches the water you will fish, and check current DNR regulations before your trip.
Sources
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources — Sport Fishing & Crabbing Licenses — current license fees, validity, trout stamps, senior licenses, saltwater registration, crabbing fees, and replacement rules.
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources — How to Apply for a License — Maryland Outdoors purchasing methods and availability after purchase.
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources — Free Fishing — license-free fishing areas, Free Fishing Days, and youth exemptions.
- 2026 Maryland Fishing Guide — Licenses & Fees — current 2026 prices, reciprocity, exemptions, registration, and complimentary-license details.
- 2026 Maryland Fishing Guide — Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs — current Chesapeake Bay season, catch limits, minimum sizes, and Wednesday restrictions.
- 2026 Maryland Fishing Guide — Atlantic Blue Crabs — Atlantic Ocean and coastal-bay season, licensing, size, and harvest rules.
