Straight answers on Chesapeake fishing seasons, sizes, creel limits, and licenses — for Maryland and Virginia waters. Type a question in the box below, or tap one of these to try it out:
What is this? Know the Bay is a free tool that answers plain-English questions about Chesapeake Bay fishing rules — things like "when can I keep striped bass in Maryland" or "how big does a blue crab need to be in Virginia." No account, no app download. Just type your question below.
This is a beta test. Regulation data comes from a small starter set for a handful of species (striped bass, blue crab, summer flounder, spot, croaker) in Maryland and Virginia, and hasn't been independently verified against the latest official rules. It is not a substitute for official rules. Always confirm current regulations with the Maryland DNR or Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you fish. Found something wrong? Use the feedback buttons below each answer.