Maryland state waters, out to 3 miles
Bag is currently 2 fish through Oct 31.
MD DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Maryland state record
MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth. More on the tautog page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Tautog in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for tautog in Maryland?
16 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many tautog can you keep in Maryland?
4 (Jan 1-May 15 and Nov 1-Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1-Oct 31).
When is tautog season in Maryland?
Jul 1-May 15; catch-and-release only May 16-Jun 30. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Maryland record tautog?
28.8 lb, Ocean City (2015).
How current is this Maryland tautog 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.
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