Recreational Fishing
Blue catfish are abundant, even in the winter months. You can enjoy a great day of fishing while also doing good for the Chesapeake Bay!
Things to Know Before You Go Fishing
- Blue catfish cannot be over-fished. They are invasive and harmful to the Chesapeake Bay region - catch as much as you want!
- Catch and release is discouraged; please remove and kill all blue catfish you catch.
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources is conducting a research study and tagging blue catfish. If you catch a tagged fish, please throw it back. All other blue catfish you catch should be removed and killed.
Resources & Info for Fishing Blue Catfish
CCA Maryland's Great Chesapeake Invasives Count
Help collect important data while competing for great prizes
Maryland's Catfish Trail
Brought to you by Fish & Hunt Maryland, find insights, fishing locations, recipes, charters, guides, and more.
LIVE with Lenny
Fish Talk’s Angler in Chief, Lenny Rudow, discusses various seasonal fishing tips and tricks for targeting a variety of fish species. You can comment and ask questions in real time, too!
Commercial Fishing
Consumer demand for blue catfish is on the rise. As the market grows, blue catfish represents a great opportunity for watermen and commercial fishermen. Blue catfish is active all year long, including the winter months.
Resources & Information
How One Waterman is Supplementing His Crabbing Income with Blue Catfish (Whats Up? Media)
Maryland General Assembly Passes Resolution Opposing Burdensome USDA Regulation
Video highlighting commercial fishing techniques for blue catfish: