The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Code of Maryland Regulation 08.02.05.21(F), announces the extension of the season for the recreational black sea bass fishery for 2014. The recreational season for catching black sea bass in Maryland waters (Chesapeake Bay and 0-3 miles off the coast) will now be open through 11:59 p.m. September 21, 2014. The season will reopen 12:01 a.m. October 18, 2014 and close 11:59 p.m. December 31, 2014. The recreational season is closed all other dates. The possession limit will remain 15 fish per person. The minimum size will remain 12.5 inches.
For federal waters in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (3-200 miles off the coast), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a final rule which was effective July 7, 2014 opening the season for black sea bass from May 19, 2014 to September 21, 2014 and October 18, 2014 to December 31, 2014 with a 12.5 inch size limit and a 15 fish possession limit.