Delaware vs Maryland fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Delaware is $22.50 cheaper than Maryland. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Delaware is $35 cheaper than Maryland. You need a license from age 16 in Delaware and in Maryland.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Delaware | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $12.50 | $35 |
| 3 days | $12.50 | $35 |
| 7 days | $12.50 | $45 |
| 1 year | $20 | $55 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $12.50 | $12 |
| 3 days | $12.50 | $12 |
| 7 days | $12.50 | $12 |
| 1 year | $20 | $22.50 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $8.50 | $32 |
| Salt water | $8.50 | $15 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Delaware | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Free (fresh + salt): Delaware residents 65 and over (free FIN number still needed) | Resident senior consolidated license (65 and over): $12 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Sat, Jun 5, 2027 Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Delaware fishing license · Maryland fishing license
Shared waters
Other states (no reciprocity) (Delaware rules)
Delaware has no reciprocal license agreement with any other state. For example, a Maryland boat license does not cover fishing in Delaware waters. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Delaware | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
12 in (15 in at Becks Pond); bag 6 (2 at Becks Pond) |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
None between 12 and 17 in (inclusive) may be kept; bag 6, no more than 1 over 17 in |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
No size limit; bag 6 (4 in or within 50 ft of fly-fishing-only waters) |
Trout (all species) |
| Crappie |
Panfish (crappie, sunfish, yellow perch) |
No minimum; bag 15 |
| Striped bass |
Hybrid striped bass Striped bass |
Striped bass: set each year |
| Yellow perch |
Panfish (crappie, sunfish, yellow perch) |
9" minimum; bag 5 (Non-tidal rivers and streams; 2 more) |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
Red drum |
| Spotted seatrout |
12 in; bag No daily limit |
14" minimum; bag 4 |
| Flounder |
Summer flounder: set each year |
Summer flounder |
| Cobia |
43 in; bag 2 per angler |
43" total length; bag 1 per person; 2 per boat with 2 or more people |
| Black sea bass |
Black sea bass: set each year |
12.5" minimum; bag 15 |
Questions
Is a Delaware fishing license valid in Maryland?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Other states (no reciprocity).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Delaware or Maryland?
1 day (fresh water): Delaware $12.50, Maryland $35. 1 year (fresh water): Delaware $20, Maryland $55.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Delaware and Maryland?
You need a license from age 16 in Delaware and in Maryland.