Maryland’s blue crab season is a beloved annual tradition for many locals and tourists alike. The Chesapeake Bay offers world-class crabbing, drawing enthusiasts to its waters every spring through fall. If you’re new to crabbing or just need a refresher, here’s everything you need to know about when, where, and how you can crab in Maryland legally and responsibly.
When Does the Crabbing Season Start and End?
Maryland’s recreational crabbing season kicks off on April 1st every year. The season runs through December 15th in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries like the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers. For the Atlantic Coast beaches and coastal bays you can crab recreationally through December 31st.
Commercial crabbing follows a similar schedule, getting underway in early spring. But watermen with appropriate licenses can harvest blue crabs year-round in Maryland.
Where Can You Crab in Maryland?
You’ll find blue crabs throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Prime crabbing locations include:
- The Upper Bay – Near Havre de Grace, Betterton, and the Susquehanna Flats
- The Middle Bay – Eastern Bay, Choptank River, Little Choptank River
- The Lower Bay – Patuxent River, Tangier Sound, Pocomoke Sound
In addition, Maryland’s Atlantic coastal bays and beaches offer seasonal crabbing. Popular spots include Ocean City, Assateague Island, and Point Lookout State Park.
Within Maryland waters, you can crab anywhere from shore or private docks to wading and boating in rivers, creeks, and the open Chesapeake. Just be sure to watch designated crabbing times and legal gear requirements based on your location.
When During the Day Can You Catch Crabs?
Crabbing hours vary by month and location. Here are the standard timeframes:
April & October 1 – December 15:
- Rivers & Creeks: 1/2 hour after sunrise to sunset
- Chesapeake Bay: 1/2 hour after sunrise to 5 PM
May 1 – September 30:
- Rivers & Creeks: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset
- Chesapeake Bay: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 5 PM
Handlines and dip nets are permitted 24 hours a day. Crab pots on private property can also be fished anytime.
Do I Need a License for Crabbing in Maryland?
Recreational crabbing licenses are not required when using handlines or dip nets. Young crabbers under age 16 can also use collapsible traps and nets without a license.
You’ll need to purchase a license if you plan to use trotlines, crab traps/pots, eel pots, or certain other gear. Licenses are sold by the day, season, and year.
Waterfront property owners can register their crab pots for free through the MD DNR. The registration covers up to two crab pots fished from private docks or piers.
What Are the Crabbing Catch Limits?
Maryland sets daily bushel and catch limits for recreational crabbing. The exact numbers depend on whether you have a license, the number of people crabbing, and the type of license purchased.
Here are some typical daily limits:
- Unlicensed crabbers: 2 to 4 dozen male hard crabs
- Licensed individual: 1 bushel hard crabs, 2 dozen peelers
- Licensed boat: 1 bushel hard crabs, 6 dozen peelers
Female and undersized crabs must be released. And you cannot sell recreational crabs.
Tips for Responsible Crabbing
- Check current regulations before heading out
- Purchase required licenses and gear
- Respect daily catch limits
- Use approved turtle excluder devices on crab pots
- Avoid keeping female and undersized crabs
- Watch sunrise/sunset crabbing hours in rivers
- Leave someone else’s gear alone
- Clean up all trash and equipment
Follow crabbing best practices to preserve the Chesapeake’s blue crab population. With good stewardship, we can enjoy the treasured tradition of Maryland crabbing for generations to come.
Helpful Resources
Day of Week Restrictions
No recreational crabbing is allowed on Wednesdays 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.
Minimum Size Limits (measured from tip to tip of spikes)
- April 1âJuly 14â5 inches.
- July 15âDec. 15â5¼ inches.
- April 1âJuly 14â3¼ inches.
- July 15âDec. 15â3½ inches.
- April 1âDec. 15â3½ inches.
I Compared Maryland and Louisiana Blue Crabs… Here’s the Truth
FAQ
What months can you crab in Maryland?
Maryland crab season runs from early April into late November and December. During other months when not available from the Chesapeake Bay, we source our blue crabs from the Carolinas or Louisiana.
Are crabs in season now in Maryland?
If you’re planning a trip to Maryland to experience crab season, it’s important to know when the best time to visit is. The peak crabbing season in the Chesapeake Bay typically begins in April and continues through November. During this time, the crabs are most plentiful and at their tastiest.
When can you eat crabs in Maryland?
The peak season for iconic, blue, Rock Hall, Maryland, crabs is April through November. However, the biggest crabs are harvested from September to mid-November.
How much does a 1/2 bushel of crab feed?
Description. A Half Bushel of Crabs feeds about 4-5 people.
When is crab season in Maryland?
In April, the bay brings us one of our favorite treats, Maryland blue crab. Feasting on crab is a way of life here on the Eastern Shore, particularly during the summer and early fall when crab season in Maryland really gets going. Maryland crab season is a cherished tradition, especially along the Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore.
When is crab season 2025 in Maryland?
The Maryland DNR sets strict guidelines for non-commercial crabbers to protect the blue crab population and other species, like the diamondback terrapin. Here’s what you need to know for 2025: Season Dates and Times: April 1 to December 15 in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.
When is the best time to eat Maryland blue crabs?
The peak season for Maryland Blue Crabs is from April to the end of November. The best time for Maryland crabs is during the fall months (September to mid-November), which is when the biggest, heaviest crabs are typically harvested. In December, as the weather cools down, crabs from the Chesapeake Bay head towards the warmer waters.
What is the crabbing season?
This year’s recreational crabbing season runs: Through June 30, daily catch limits for male hard crabs are: You can’t sell your catch, and sponge crabs or any female hardshell or peelers must be released immediately.
When is recreational crab season?
Exact dates vary annually depending on crab populations. The recreational crab season opens later and is limited to weekends and designated holidays only from April through December 15. It’s important as a recreational crabber to know the recreational seasons and limits, which we’ll cover in detail in the sections below.
Are Marylanders ready to eat blue crab in 2025?
As April 1 nears, Marylanders are ready to don bibs, grab mallets, and celebrate the blue crab’s return. Whether at a dock or a seafood shack, the 2025 season promises flavor, fun, and a connection to the Chesapeake’s enduring legacy.