| A Chesapeake Bay tradition returns as Maryland watermen head back to the oyster grounds. From hand and patent tonging to the historic skipjack dredge fleet, oyster season carries on a working-waterfront heritage that has shaped Bay communities for generations.
Here’s to another oyster season on the Chesapeake Bay — and to the watermen, boats, and traditions that keep Maryland’s oyster heritage alive.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fishing and Boating Services
2026-2027 Commercial Oyster Rules — Effective 7/4/2026
WHAT THIS NOTICE DOES
The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources establishes the rules for the
commercial oyster seasons, days of the week that an individual may catch oysters and catch limits.
Effective at 12:01 a.m. July 4, 2026:
● Seasons
○ The commercial oyster season is open from October 1, 2026 through and including March 31,
2027 for the following gears:
● Shaft (Hand) Tong
● Patent Tong
● Dive
○ The commercial oyster season is open from November 1, 2026 through and including March
31, 2027 for the following gears:
● Power Dredge
● Dredge Boat (Sail Dredge)
● Dredge Boat (Sail Dredge) with Auxiliary Yawl Boat
○ The season is closed on all other dates.
● Daily Catch Limits
o A licensee may harvest up to 12 bushels per licensee per day, not to exceed 24 bushels per
boat per day, if at any time during the day they use a shaft (hand) tong, patent tong, dive
equipment, or any combination of those gear types.
o A licensee may harvest up to 10 bushels per licensee per day, not to exceed 20 bushels per
boat per day, if at any time during the day they use a power dredge, regardless of what other
gear is used that day.
o A licensee may harvest up to 100 bushels per licensee per day, not to exceed 100 bushels per
boat per day, if they use only a dredge boat (sail dredge) or dredge boat (sail dredge) with
auxiliary yawl boat, or any combination of those gear types to harvest oysters that day.
● Days of the Week That an Individual May Catch Oysters
o An individual may catch oysters for commercial purposes only from Monday through Friday.
WHERE THESE RULES APPLY
All open oyster harvest areas. Oyster harvest areas are submerged ground where an individual is allowed
to catch oysters. “Oyster harvest area” does not include an area leased for aquaculture, restricted by the
Maryland Department of the Environment, or designated as a submerged aquatic vegetation protection
zone, harvest reserve area, or sanctuary.
WHO THIS NOTICE AFFECTS
Anyone who catches oysters for commercial purposes. These rules do not apply to individuals legally
harvesting oysters from an aquaculture lease.
AUTHORITY
Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.04.11G
Josh Kurtz
Secretary of Natural Resources |
Oct 16, 2026
