Maryland calls it the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing Licence, and at fifteen dollars for a resident it costs less than half the non-tidal licence. It runs 365 days from purchase rather than by licence year, so a summer buy gets a full twelve months. The Bay boat licence, which covers everyone aboard, is the option most charter-adjacent groups miss.
What it costs
Set your situation for the exact saltwater figure. Switching to fresh water here shows what the other licence would cost instead.
Every Maryland saltwater fee
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport, seven days | Resident | 7 days | $6.00 |
| Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport, seven days | Visitor | 7 days | $12.00 |
| Senior consolidated sport No longer includes the trout stamp. | Resident | Annual | $12.00 |
| Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport, annual | Resident | Annual | $15.00 |
| Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport, annual | Visitor | Annual | $22.50 |
| Bay and coastal sport boat licence | Resident | Annual | $50.00 |
| Bay and coastal sport boat licence | Visitor | Annual | $100.00 |
Fees verified against MD DNR on 2026-09-11. Fees from the eRegulations edition of the official Maryland fishing guide, the designated publisher for MD DNR.
What it covers, and what it does not
The Bay licence covers the Chesapeake, its tidal tributaries, the Atlantic and the coastal bays. It does not cover the non-tidal rivers and reservoirs, which need the separate non-tidal licence, and it does not cover trout, which needs a stamp on top of that. The senior consolidated licence covers both sides but no longer includes the trout stamp.
For the freshwater side of the state, and for the combination options where they exist, see the full Maryland licence page.
Where to use it
We track 6 saltwater waters in Maryland daily, with live tides and conditions:
- Ocean City — Worcester County
- Chesapeake Bay (Annapolis) — Anne Arundel County
- Susquehanna Flats — Cecil County
- Assateague — Worcester County
- Choptank River — Talbot County
- Tangier Sound — Somerset County
Questions
How much is a saltwater fishing licence in Maryland?
$15.00 for a resident and $22.50 for a visitor, for an annual licence. Short-term options cost less and are listed in the table above.
Does a Maryland freshwater licence cover salt water?
No. Maryland sells them as separate licences, so a freshwater licence gives you no cover on the coast. Fishing both means two licences, or the combined option where the state offers one.
How long does a Maryland Bay licence last?
365 days from the date of purchase, not to a fixed date, so buying in July gets you a full year.
What is the Maryland Bay sport boat licence?
A $50.00 licence held by the boat that covers everyone fishing from it, $100.00 for a non-resident vessel. For a group it can beat individual licences comfortably.