Maryland recreational oyster season is open Oct. 1 through March 31

Maryland’s recreational oyster season is open. A Department of Natural Resources public notice, effective at 12:01 a.m. July 4, 2026, sets the 2026–2027 recreational rules: the season runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through and including March 31, 2027, and is closed on every other date.

The daily recreational catch limit is 100 oysters per person. Harvest is allowed only Monday through Saturday, and only from sunrise to noon. The notice applies in open oyster harvest areas. It does not cover aquaculture leases, areas restricted by the Maryland Department of the Environment, submerged aquatic vegetation protection zones, harvest reserve areas, or sanctuaries. The rules are for people catching oysters for recreation. They do not apply to legal harvest on an aquaculture lease. Secretary Josh Kurtz signed the notice under COMAR 08.02.04.11G.

This is the recreational oyster calendar, not the fall trout stocking brief already filed for Maryland.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Maryland DNR — 2026-2027 Recreational Oyster Rules (PDF) (effective July 4, 2026).