Maryland is world-renowned for its delicious blue crabs harvested from the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Locals and tourists eagerly await crab season each year to enjoy this iconic crustacean straight from the Old Line State’s waters. But when does Maryland’s celebrated crab season come to an end?
In this comprehensive guide we will examine when and why Maryland crab season ends crabbing regulations and restrictions, tips for responsible harvesting, and frequently asked questions to become an informed Maryland crabber. After reading, you’ll have all the knowledge needed to fully enjoy crab season while protecting the future of this treasured Chesapeake Bay species.
Overview of Maryland Crab Seasons
To understand when Maryland crab season ends, it helps to first look at when it begins. The crab season in Maryland revolves around the blue crab’s life cycle and activity patterns. Blue crabs become more active and easier to catch during the warmer spring and summer months.
The Maryland crab season is divided into two main periods
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Commercial crab season – April 1 through December 15. Licensed commercial watermen are permitted to catch crabs to sell during this timeframe.
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Recreational crab season – April 1 through November 15 Recreational crabbers can harvest crabs for personal use and consumption during this season after obtaining the proper license
The commercial and recreational crab seasons largely overlap, except recreational crabbing closes about one month earlier in mid-November. Both seasons open in early spring when water temperatures warm and crabs become active, closing in late fall when crab activity declines with cooling waters.
When Does Maryland Crab Season End?
Maryland crab season ends on November 15 for recreational crabbers and December 15 for commercial crabbers.
As waters cool with the onset of winter, blue crabs burrow into the muddy bottom and become dormant. This makes them difficult to catch, leading to the seasonal closure of the Maryland crab fishery.
By regulation, all crab pots must be removed from Maryland waters by November 15 for recreational crabbers and December 15 for commercial crabbers. Officials choose these end dates each year to protect hibernating crabs and sustain populations for future seasons.
While recreational crabbing closes in mid-November, commercial crabbers get an extended season to December 15. However, most commercial crabbing occurs during the warmer months when crab catches are higher.
Maryland Crab Regulations and Restrictions
To ensure sustainable crab populations, Maryland establishes regulations and restrictions for both recreational and commercial crabbing. It is critical to follow all rules and know the limits.
Recreational Crab Regulations
- Must obtain appropriate recreational crabbing license.
- Daily bushel limits depend on license type.
- Minimum size limits based on crab type and time of year.
- Gear restricted to crab pots, trotlines, collapsible traps, rings, handlines, and dip nets.
- Gear must be marked with proper identification.
- Limits on the amount of gear allowed.
- Turtle reduction devices required on crab pots.
- No egg-bearing female crabs.
- No crabs harvested while scuba diving.
- No sale of recreational caught crabs allowed.
Commercial Crab Regulations
- Must obtain commercial crabbing license.
- Limits on the number and placement of crab pots.
- Minimum mesh size requirements for pots.
- Daily time restrictions on setting and removing gear.
- Area restrictions and sanctuary zones.
- Mandatory daily catch reporting.
- Penalties for violating regulations.
Make sure to consult the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website for complete, up-to-date regulations before crabbing. Violating rules carries fines up to $3,000.
Tips for Responsible Crabbing
Follow these tips to help sustain Maryland crab populations for future generations:
- Carefully handle and release unwanted catch.
- Don’t keep egg-bearing female crabs.
- Use correct size and number of turtle reduction devices.
- Limit harvest to within bushel and size regulations.
- Properly attach and identify all gear with your name/number.
- Remove all crab pots by seasonal deadlines.
- Report violations to the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does recreational crabbing open in Maryland?
The recreational crabbing season opens April 1 each year.
What time of day can I crab recreationally?
Recreational crabbing is permitted one half-hour before sunrise until sunset from May through September. More restricted hours apply during April, October, and November.
Where can’t I crab in Maryland?
Certain areas like sanctuaries, marinas, and military zones have prohibitions on crabbing. Check local regulations before dropping gear.
Can I crab recreationally on Wednesdays?
Crabbing is prohibited recreationally on Wednesdays except with handlines, dip nets, or registered pots on private property.
How many crab pots can I use without a license?
A maximum of 2 crab pots are allowed for unlicensed crabbers per private property. These must be properly registered and marked.
What is the minimum size for a legal male hard crab?
The minimum size is 5 inches from April 1 to July 14 and 5.25 inches from July 15 to December 15.
Can I keep female crabs in Maryland?
It is illegal to possess any egg-bearing female hard or peeler crabs in Maryland during the crab season.
Can I sell crabs caught recreationally?
No, the sale of recreationally caught crabs is prohibited in Maryland.
How late can commercial crabbers harvest crabs?
The commercial crab season extends until December 15, when all crab pots must be removed from the water.
Get Out There and Crab Responsibly
With this guide, you now know exactly when Maryland crab season starts, ends, and the rules to follow in between. Arm yourself with this knowledge so you can fully enjoy sustainably harvesting these iconic crustaceans during your Maryland crabbing adventures. Respect the regulations and help ensure future generations also get to experience the Old Line State’s famous blue crabs.
How many crabs can you catch per day?
If you do not have a recreational crabber license:
- Two dozen male hard crabs and one dozen male peelers, soft crabs or a combination of both a day, according to the DNR.
If you do have a license:
- One bushel of male hard crabs and two dozen male peelers soft crabs or a combination of both a day.
An unlicensed boat:
- With one unlicensed person can possess two dozen male crabs a day.
- With two or more unlicensed people can possess four dozen male crabs a day
- With one or more people who are licensed and any number of unlicensed people can possess one bushel or six dozen male crabs if using a container other than a bushel basket from April 1 to June 30, according to the DNR.
A licensed boat:
- One bushel and six dozen if using a container other than a bushel basket from April 1 to June 30.
When and where can you catch crabs?
Blue crabs are found all along the Chesapeake Bay – from the top to the bottom of the estuary and along its snaking rivers and tributaries.
In April and October through Dec. 15, people are allowed to catch crabs in rivers, creeks and tributaries a half-hour after sunrise until sunset.
From May through September, people can go crabbing a half-hour before sunrise until sunset, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
In the Chesapeake Bay mainstem — the primary channel of the bay — crabbing is allowed in April and October through Dec. 15 a half-hour after sunrise until 5 p.m., and from May through September, a half-hour before sunrise until 5 p.m.
“Using handlines and dip nets is permitted 24 hours a day, as well as annually registered crab pots on private property,” according to the DNR.
No recreational crabbing is allowed on Wednesday except:
- When using crab pots from private property
- When using handlines or dip nets
- During a week when a state or federal holiday falls on a Wednesday or Thursday