Maryland state waters, out to 3 miles
MD DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Conger eelGray, with the upper jaw overhanging instead. Tell them apartNot listed by Maryland: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Not listed by Maryland: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
A true eel — one continuous fin running from mid-back around the tail; lower jaw juts past the upper. More on the American eel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for American eel in Maryland?
9 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many American eel can you keep in Maryland?
25.
When is American eel season in Maryland?
Jan 1-Aug 31 (hook and line); year-round for spears/traps. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is closed.
How current is this Maryland American eel rule?
Source: MD DNR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an American eel in Maryland and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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