Fly Fishing Regulations in Maryland: Licenses, Gear Rules, and Special Waters

Maryland offers some of the finest fly fishing on the East Coast, from the cold mountain tailwaters of Garrett County to the limestone-fed freestones of Frederick and Washington counties. But the regulations that govern where you can fish, what gear you can use, and how many fish you can keep vary significantly from one stretch of water to the next.

Whether you’re targeting wild brook trout in the Savage River watershed or working a dry fly on Big Hunting Creek, understanding the rules before you step into the water is not optional — it’s the law. This guide breaks down Maryland’s fly fishing regulations section by section so you can fish legally and confidently.

Pro Tip: Maryland fishing regulations are updated regularly. Always verify the specific rules for your target water on the Maryland DNR Fisheries Regulations page before heading out.

Fly Fishing License Requirements in Maryland

Every person 16 years of age or older must possess a license to sport fish recreationally in Maryland, unless specifically exempt. Because fly fishing for trout almost always takes place in nontidal freshwater, the license you need is the Resident Nontidal Sport Fishing License — not the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal license used for tidal waters.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources updated its nontidal fishing license fees in 2025 — the first increase in nearly 20 years — and those new rates carry into 2026. A resident annual nontidal license now costs $32, the trout stamp runs $20, and a Chesapeake Bay & Coastal license is $15 annually.

A trout stamp is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to catch, attempt to catch, or possess trout in nontidal waters. This applies to every fly angler targeting trout in Maryland streams, regardless of whether you intend to keep fish or practice catch-and-release. The trout stamp fee was raised significantly in 2025 (up from $5 for residents) because the cost of Maryland’s trout programs had increased 129% since the stamp fee was last adjusted in 1992.

For non-residents, a Non-Resident 3-Day Nontidal Sport Fishing License costs $35, or the same fee charged to visiting Maryland anglers by a non-resident’s home state, whichever is higher. Non-residents must also purchase the $20 trout stamp separately if they plan to fish for trout.

All Maryland fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase — not by calendar year. So a license bought in August 2026 is good through August 2027. You can purchase licenses through the MD Outdoors online portal, at license agents statewide, or by phone.

• Under 16: Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a license to go fishing recreationally.
• Active military: Maryland residents on active duty with the Armed Forces (on leave with official orders) can fish without a license.
• 100% disabled veterans / POWs: A complimentary lifetime license is available for Maryland residents who are 100% service-connected disabled veterans or former prisoners of war (POW), or deemed unemployable by the VA. It includes non-tidal, tidal, trout stamp, and oyster license.
• Blind anglers: Complimentary annual tidal and non-tidal licenses are also available to residents and nonresidents who are blind.
• Senior residents: Since 2025, the Senior Consolidated License no longer includes a trout stamp. Seniors who want to fish for trout must purchase the $20 resident trout stamp separately.

If you also plan to fish the trout season in Maryland on put-and-take waters or other regulated areas, make sure your trout stamp is in hand before you go — it’s a separate purchase from your base fishing license.

What Counts as Fly Fishing Gear Under Maryland Law

Maryland’s regulations draw a clear line between waters where any artificial lure is allowed and waters that are restricted to fly fishing only. On designated fly-fishing-only waters, the gear definition is specific and strictly enforced.

On fly-fishing-only areas, a person may fish only with artificial flies and streamers constructed in a normal fashion using natural or synthetic materials, or both, which may include feathers, fur, hair, tinsel, thread, fiber, plastic, cork, wire, and rubber, on a single hook with the components wound on or about the hook.

A person may not use molded replicas of insects, earthworms, fish eggs, fish, or any invertebrate or vertebrate, either singly or in combination with the other materials, or other lures commonly described as spinners, spoons, or plugs made of metal, plastic, wood, rubber, or a similar substance or a combination of these. In plain terms: traditional fly patterns tied on a single hook are legal; soft-plastic imitations, inline spinners, and hard-bodied lures are not.

A person may fish only with conventional fly fishing tackle, including fly rods, fly reels, and fly line with a leader or monofilament line attached. Any method of angling when the fly is cast directly from the reel is prohibited. The use of centerpin, spinning, spincast, and casting reels is prohibited.

Important Note: On waters designated as “artificial lures only” (rather than fly-fishing-only), fly fishing gear is always legal, but spinning and baitcasting tackle is also permitted. The stricter fly-only gear definition applies only to the specific waters listed as fly-fishing-only under COMAR 08.02.11.01.

In fly-fishing-only areas, a person may not possess or use any natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent and capable of catching fish. This means scent-impregnated materials, worm-scented soft plastics, and any natural bait are off-limits the moment you step into a designated fly-only stretch.

Fly Fishing Only Waters in Maryland

Maryland designates a handful of high-quality streams as fly-fishing-only waters. These are managed under the catch-and-return classification, meaning all trout must be released immediately. The open season on these waters runs January 1 through December 31, inclusive — year-round access is one of the benefits of fishing these protected stretches.

The three primary fly-fishing-only, catch-and-return waters in Maryland are:

• Big Hunting Creek, Frederick County: All waters of Big Hunting Creek and its tributaries within Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park, except Owens Creek, Little Hunting Creek, Cunningham Falls Lake, and Frank Bentz Pond. Big Hunting Creek is one of Maryland’s most historic and celebrated fly fishing destinations.
• Beaver Creek, Washington County: From the confluence with Black Rock Creek downstream to the downstream side of the U.S. Route 40 bridge.
• Patuxent River, Montgomery and Howard Counties: From red bank posts located on both sides of the river, approximately 400 yards below Brighton Dam downstream to Mink Hollow Road.

The Maryland DNR is also considering adding the rules that apply to catch-and-return, artificial fly fishing only areas to the upper sections of Owens Creek located on Catoctin Mountain Park (U.S. National Park Service) property. Check the DNR’s regulations changes page for updates on this proposed expansion.

For context on how Maryland’s fly-only water designations compare to other states, see the regulations guides for fly fishing in Ohio and fly fishing in North Carolina.

Catch-and-Release Rules on Designated Waters in Maryland

Catch-and-release is not just a voluntary practice on Maryland’s special management waters — it is a legal requirement on designated catch-and-return stretches. The rules are straightforward but carry real consequences if ignored.

You may not possess trout while fishing in these areas. All trout must be immediately released. “Immediately” means the moment the fish is unhooked, not after a photo session or a prolonged hold in the net. A trout that is not immediately released becomes part of the daily creel limit and may not be returned to the water. A trout is part of the daily creel and possession limit if it cannot freely swim away from a person.

Delayed harvest areas operate on a seasonal catch-and-release model rather than a year-round one. From October 1 through May 31, inclusive, a person may not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas, and shall immediately release any trout caught to the water from which the trout was taken. From June 1 through September 30, inclusive, no special bait, lure, or tackle restrictions are in effect on Group I delayed harvest waters during the harvest window.

Group II delayed harvest areas follow a slightly different calendar. From October 1 through June 15, inclusive, a person may not have any trout in possession while fishing in these areas, and shall immediately release any trout caught. From June 16 through September 30, inclusive, no special bait, lure, or tackle restrictions are in effect.

Key Insight: Delayed harvest waters include the Casselman River mainstem in Garrett County, the North Branch Potomac River mainstem in Garrett County, and the Youghiogheny River mainstem near Friendsville. Always confirm which group a specific water falls under before fishing.

If you enjoy catch-and-release trout fishing across the mid-Atlantic region, the bass fishing regulations in Virginia page and the fly fishing regulations in Tennessee guide offer useful comparisons for neighboring state rules.

Barbless Hook Requirements in Maryland

Barbless hooks are not a universal statewide requirement in Maryland, but they are mandatory on several of the state’s most productive special management waters. Knowing exactly where the barbless rule applies can save you a citation.

You may not fish with a barbed hook on Little Hunting Creek in Frederick County — one of Maryland’s most popular catch-and-return streams. The same prohibition applies to the North Branch Potomac River’s special regulation section. You may not fish with a barbed hook in these areas.

On the Savage River mainstem and its tributaries upstream of the Savage River Reservoir dam, you may not fish with a barbed hook in these areas. The Savage River tailwater is one of Maryland’s premier trophy trout fisheries, and the barbless requirement there reflects the high-quality, low-impact management philosophy applied to the water.

On delayed harvest waters, the barbless hook rule is seasonal. From October 1 through May 31, inclusive, in these areas, a person may not fish with any barbed hook. Once the harvest window opens in summer, the barbless restriction lifts along with the catch-and-return requirement.

If you don’t own barbless hooks, you can legally comply by crushing the barb of a standard hook flat with pliers. Some participants not already using barbless hooks may incur new expenditures, although compliance may also be achieved by mashing the barbs of hooks down with pliers. The scientific literature generally supports that using barbless hooks reduces physical injury and handling time to unhook fish, which is why Maryland has expanded their use on its highest-quality waters.

Size Limits, Bag Limits, and Slot Limits in Maryland

Maryland’s trout regulations use different creel and size limits depending on the type of water you’re fishing. The rules below apply as of January 2026 per the Maryland eRegulations guide.

Water Type	Daily Creel Limit	Possession Limit	Minimum Size
Put-and-Take Trout Waters	5 (all trout species combined)	10	No minimum
Special Management Areas (Artificial Lure/Fly)	2 (all trout species combined)	4	Minimum applies
Catch-and-Return Waters	0 (no possession)	0	N/A — all released
Delayed Harvest (Oct 1–harvest window)	0 during restricted period	0 during restricted period	N/A during restricted period

On put-and-take trout fishing areas, the creel limit is 5 trout per day (all species combined), with a possession limit of 10, and no minimum size. These are the most liberal rules in the state and apply to the stocked community fishing areas found across Maryland.

On special management areas restricted to artificial lures (including artificial flies), the creel limit is 2 trout per day (all species combined), with a possession limit of 4. You may not possess any trout smaller than the minimum size limit. You may only fish with artificial lures, including artificial flies.

Brook trout carry an additional statewide restriction worth knowing. A person may not have brook trout in possession while fishing in nontidal waters of the state located east of Interstate 81. Eastern brook trout are Maryland’s only native trout and are a management and conservation priority for the department. Brook trout have strict habitat requirements and have been declining throughout the state primarily due to changing land use practices.

Maryland does not currently use slot limits for trout in its freshwater special management areas, but size minimums do apply on artificial-lure-only waters. Always check the specific water’s posted rules, as size minimums can vary between designated stretches. You can also review the bass fishing season in Maryland for size and bag limit comparisons on warmwater species.

Special Regulation Waters and Blue-Ribbon Fisheries in Maryland

Maryland’s most productive and carefully managed trout waters fall under the Special Management Areas classification. These are the waters where gear restrictions, catch-and-release rules, and barbless hook requirements combine to produce high-quality fishing experiences. Several qualify as blue-ribbon fisheries by any practical measure.

Big Hunting Creek (Frederick County) is Maryland’s most celebrated fly fishing stream and one of the oldest designated catch-and-return fisheries in the United States. The section within Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park is fly-fishing-only, catch-and-return, year-round. It holds a mix of wild and stocked brown and rainbow trout and has been managed under protective regulations for decades.

The North Branch Potomac River below the Westernport wastewater treatment plant discharge is a tailwater fishery that produces large brown trout. The area subject to catch-and-return provisions is the North Branch Potomac River from the Upper Potomac River Commission Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge at Westernport downstream to the Maryland Route 956 bridge at Pinto. Barbless hooks are required throughout this section.

The Savage River mainstem above the Savage River Reservoir dam is another high-quality tailwater. The Savage River mainstem and tributaries upstream of the Savage River Reservoir dam (excluding put-and-take areas) carry a combined creel limit of 2 trout per day for all other species. You may only fish with artificial flies and artificial lures. You may not possess or use natural or live bait, or any device enhanced with a scent capable of catching fish. You may not fish with a barbed hook in these areas.

The Casselman River and the Youghiogheny River near Friendsville round out the state’s most significant special regulation waters. The Casselman River mainstem in Garrett County runs from a boundary marked by two red posts on both stream banks located on the south side of the Interstate 68 eastbound bridge downstream to the Pennsylvania state line. The Youghiogheny River mainstem in Garrett County runs below Friendsville from a site located 50 yards downstream of Maple Street downstream 1.8 miles to the powerline crossing upstream of the Youghiogheny Reservoir.

The Maryland DNR is also considering changing the trout fishing regulations on a portion of the Youghiogheny River near Friendsville. The area would be removed from the delayed harvest (Group II) trout fishing areas and added to the put-and-take trout fishing areas. Check the DNR’s regulations changes page for the status of this proposal.

If you enjoy fishing blue-ribbon trout waters across the region, the guides for fly fishing regulations in Montana, fly fishing regulations in Colorado, and fly fishing regulations in Oregon offer useful context on how other states manage their top fisheries.

Where to Find Current Fly Fishing Regulations in Maryland

Maryland’s fishing regulations are published and updated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Because rules can change between seasons — and because proposed changes are sometimes pending public comment — you should always consult official sources before fishing a new water.

The DNR publishes abridged summaries of Maryland fisheries rules, but these do not include all regulated species. For the full legal text, you should consult the Maryland Register Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Here are the primary resources for staying current:

• Maryland DNR Fisheries Regulations page: dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/regulations — the official starting point for all freshwater and tidal rules.
• eRegulations Maryland Fishing Guide: eregulations.com/maryland/fishing — the official partner publication that mirrors DNR rules in a readable format, last updated January 27, 2026.
• Maryland DNR Regulations Changes page: dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/regulations/changes.aspx — lists all proposed and recently adopted rule changes, including open public comment periods.
• COMAR Online: COMAR 08.02.11.01 via the Legal Information Institute — the enforceable regulatory text for trout fishing and management areas.
• 2026 Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing (PDF): Available at eRegulations — the printed regulation booklet distributed at license agents statewide.

Rules are subject to change, and it is the angler’s responsibility to know and abide by all rules. When in doubt, call the Maryland DNR Fisheries Service directly or check the regulations changes page for any proposals that may affect your target water.

For additional regulation guides on nearby states, see the articles on fly fishing regulations in Georgia, fly fishing regulations in Indiana, and fly fishing regulations in Michigan.