Maryland DNR tweaks recreational male crab catch limits

ANNAPOLIS — Just prior to the start of Labor Day weekend the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced a slight change in the recreational male hard crab catch and possession limits effective Aug. 30 and continuing through June 2025.

The changes are subtle and affect just two categories: 1) unlicensed boats with one or more licensees and any number of unlicensed individuals on board, and, 2) licensed boats, with any number of licensed or unlicensed individuals.

For both categories, the original limit was one bushel — and that remains the same if crabs are stored in a bushel basket.

However a bushel basket is not being used, the new limit is six dozen crabs.

All other daily catch and possession limits are unchanged. Possession limits for July through December 2025 will be determined when results from the 2025 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey are available.

The regulations apply to recreational crabbing on vessels in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, including the Maryland tributaries of the Potomac River. This change does not affect recreational crabbing from shore in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, nor any recreational crabbing in the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays, or tributaries.