The official start of crabbing season is just days away, and we know Marylanders, especially those in Somerset County, are excited for our time of year to shine. Fresh crabs are a telltale sign of the arrival of spring and it's a great time to review the rules for recreational crabbing. Somerset County Recreation Parks & Tourism has everything you need to know to kick off crab season safely!
Recreational Crabbing Starts April 1 in Maryland
Somerset County, MD restaurants offer fresh seafood to go throughout the year, but officially the start for recreational crabbing is on April 1. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has set April as the launch of crabbing for the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, and related waterways such as tributaries and coastal areas.
Guidelines for Recreational Crabbing in Somerset County, MD
Here are some of the rules for recreational crabbing in Maryland. Find the full list of regulations for crabbing in Somerset County at Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
- Licensing
You can catch crabs with a collapsible crab trap, a crab pot, a crab net ring, dip net, handline, trotline, or seine. Some of the methods for crabbing require a crabbing license or a crabbing boat license. Get the most up to date information on licensing requirements at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
- No Resale
Typically, fish caught recreationally cannot be sold. To find fresh fish for sale, check out Somerset County restaurants or our list of locations offering fresh seafood to go.
- Trap Regulations
Crab traps cannot be spring loaded to catch the crab as soon as it eats the bait. The crabs must be able to enter and exit the trap until it is being pulled out of the water. The manual pulling of the line closes the trap. Fines can be issued if you use a trap with doors that automatically close.
- No Setting Traps on Wednesdays
According to MD DNR, crabbing gear may not be set on Wednesdays in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. This excludes crab pots on private property, dip nets, or handlines.
- Locations
Some locations may have restrictions on crabbing or hours of availability. Find locations in Somerset County, MD for fishing and crabbing.
If you're hungry for some crabs, we have a list where to purchase the best seafood in Somerset County! We can’t wait for you to explore all the crabbing and fishing that Somerset County, MD has to offer!
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