Maryland anglers pursuing state fishing records can boost their odds by leveraging Department of Natural Resources tools, adhering to regulations and targeting prime locations, as six new records have already fallen in 2025 amid shifting fish populations. The records, divided into Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal and Invasive divisions, recognize the heaviest catches of various species, with recent additions including a 21.8-pound Chesapeake Channa caught by Matt Foreman of Crownsville on June 7 in the Invasive division.
Two false albacore records were set within weeks, with Jack Dorman of Frederick landing a 22.5-pound specimen on July 20 in the Atlantic division, surpassing a prior mark. Other 2025 records include a yellow perch and longnose gar set just one day apart in February, with David Confair reeling in a 20.5-pound, 49.5-inch longnose gar on Feb. 8 in the Nontidal division. These feats underscore the excitement and unpredictability of record hunting, where surprise often accompanies the catch.
To qualify for a record, fish must be legally caught with an active Maryland fishing license, unless the angler is exempt, and using gear compliant with waterway-specific rules that vary by season and species. Anglers should review regulations via the Maryland eRegulations website or the printed Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing to ensure compliance. The new MD Outdoors online licensing system, launched in 2025, simplifies purchasing, checking status and automatic renewals, making it easier to stay licensed. This platform includes a free mobile app with features like tide tables, fish identifiers and state record details, accessible for on-the-go reference.
Department resources aid in the pursuit. The Angler Access Map details hundreds of public sites, while Fish Facts pages offer species specifics. The weekly Maryland Fishing Report provides current bite information, and the interactive Lakes and Ponds map shares survey data on population distributions. All are available through the MD Outdoors app. For those not breaking records, the FishMaryland program awards citations for trophy catches across 10 species, leading to Master Angler status after 10 different awards.
If a potential record is landed, preserve the fish in an ice bath and weigh it on a certified scale at seafood markets, grocery stores or marinas. Submit an application by email or mail, call 410-991-0748 and have a department representative confirm the species. Applications must be filed within two weeks of the catch.
Notable records include the nontidal muskellunge at 33 pounds, caught by Kyle Mullenix in March 2022 on the upper Potomac River. A 94.6-pound cobia, reeled in by then-9-year-old Emma Zajdel on June 30, 2016, near Assateague Island, remains unbroken in the Atlantic division. The 84-pound blue catfish from 2012 in the Invasive division is considered vulnerable due to the species’ abundance and growth potential. A surprising 17.44-pound rainbow trout was caught by Jean-Philippe Lartigue in 2024 in the Nontidal division, exceeding expectations. The longest-standing is a 6.5-pound chain pickerel from 1965 in the Chesapeake division. A 2023 Florida pompano record by Bobby Graves of Salisbury reflects warmer-water species increasing in Maryland waters.
Fishery managers anticipate more southern species like barracuda, cobia, king mackerel, sheepshead and pompano due to warming trends, potentially adding new records. In 2024, five records were set, highlighting robust fisheries. Current records span species like dolphinfish at 74.5 pounds by Kristy Frashure in the Atlantic, black drum at 79 pounds by Stanley Ilyes in the Chesapeake and red drum at 70 pounds by Robert Light in the Atlantic.
For Southern Maryland anglers, local waters offer strong potential. The Potomac River ranks among top national destinations for largemouth bass, with public access at sites like Cedarville State Forest in Charles County, where anglers target bass, pickerel and crappie. St. Mary’s Lake in St. Mary’s River State Park provides a relaxing spot for largemouth bass and panfish, with average bass under one pound but improving stocks. Kings Landing Park in Calvert County and Breezy Point Beach offer shoreline access for species like spot, croakers and flounder near Point Lookout.
Flag Ponds Nature Park and Calvert Cliffs Park Pond provide additional options for freshwater and saltwater pursuits. Chapel Point Park and Chicamuxen Wildlife Management Area in Charles County allow fishing for invasive species like blue catfish and northern snakehead, which are plentiful in the region. Mallows Bay Park on the Potomac requires a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License and targets various gamefish.
Historical local records include a swordfish caught by Calvert County resident Jeff Jacobs in 2022, weighing in at a state mark. A tripletail record was set in 2019 by Don Whittington of Bivalve, an 11-pound fish off Ocean City, added as the species became more common. Southern Maryland’s mix of rivers, bays and ponds supports diverse fishing, with recent reports noting good action for spot, croakers, kingfish, black sea bass and flounder near Tangier Sound.
The program celebrates Maryland’s fisheries quality and angler stories, with all records listed on the department website. Procedural steps for participation begin with obtaining a license through MD Outdoors, selecting gear per rules—such as rod and reel limits in certain areas—and scouting via the Angler Access Map. Checking the weekly report ensures timely targeting, like pursuing blue catfish in winter when they congregate. For invasive species, no bag limits apply, encouraging removal to protect ecosystems. Anglers must report catches promptly, with department verification involving photos, measurements and witness statements on the application.
In 2025, license-free fishing days are June 7, June 14 and July 4, offering entry points for newcomers. The 2025 tautog season runs January 1 to May 15 with a four-fish limit, resuming July 1 to October 31. Striped bass regulations reopened August 1 in Chesapeake Bay portions. These details, combined with local knowledge of tides and weather, position Southern Maryland residents to contribute to the record books while enjoying public waters.