Maryland Fishermen Seek Limits on DNR Striped Bass Regulations

Proposed bill aims to give fishermen more control over striped bass season and catch limits

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:49am

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Maryland fishermen, including charter boat captains, are supporting a bill in the state legislature that would limit the regulatory authority of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when it comes to managing striped bass fishing. The fishermen are outraged by recent DNR proposals that would shorten the striped bass harvest season and reduce catch limits, arguing that these changes would hurt their livelihoods. The bill would require the DNR to set specific recreational and charter boat fishing seasons and complete economic impact studies before implementing new regulations.

Why it matters

Striped bass is one of the Chesapeake Bay's most iconic and economically important fish species. The dispute over fishing regulations highlights the tensions between conservation efforts to protect the striped bass population and the economic interests of the fishing industry. The outcome of this legislation could have significant impacts on the livelihoods of Maryland's charter boat captains and commercial watermen.

The details

The proposed bill would limit the DNR's ability to unilaterally change striped bass fishing regulations, such as the length of the harvest season and catch limits. Fishermen argue that recent DNR proposals to shorten the season and reduce catch limits were made without their input and would be devastating to their businesses. The bill would require the DNR to set specific recreational and charter boat fishing seasons during the summer and fall, as well as complete economic impact studies before implementing new regulations.

  • The bill was introduced in the Maryland legislature in March 2026.
  • The DNR recently proposed new rules setting a recreational and charter boat season that allows catch and release fishing in April, limited harvesting during May, and Bay-wide fishing from June to December 5.
  • The current striped bass season, originally slated to start on April 1, is now on hold at the request of a lobbyist for the watermen.

The players

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The state agency responsible for managing and regulating Maryland's natural resources, including the striped bass fishery in the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Charter Boat Association

An organization representing the interests of charter boat captains who take recreational anglers fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.

Tilghman Hemsley

A charter boat captain who has been in the business for over 40 years and is fighting to secure the future of his family's livelihood.

Mason Hallock

Another charter boat captain who believes the proposed changes to striped bass regulations would bring back a lot of business for the industry.

Brian Hardman

The president of the Maryland Charter Boat Association, who says the proposed legislation would reinstate a second fish per day and close the season for catch and release in March and April.

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What they’re saying

“I'm fighting for my business. We've been doing this for a long time. Been entertaining people out of Maryland for some 40 years. So, my family is here, my boys are all in the business. So, I'm trying to secure their future.”

— Tilghman Hemsley, Charter Boat Captain

“Bring back a lot of business for us. We lost a lot to DNR and to the government (because of) laws and restrictions.”

— Mason Hallock, Charter Boat Captain

“This bill reinstates our second fish, and it also closes for catch and release in March and April.”

— Brian Hardman, President, Maryland Charter Boat Association

“Profit is not a bad word in our business. It's what feeds our families and sends our kids to college.”

— Tilghman Hemsley, Charter Boat Captain

“We know this species has been struggling for years. Young striped bass aren't surviving early life, and mature fish are dying at high rates during the hot summer months. Maryland must address these challenges before it's too late. That's why we urge legislators to reject SB0755 and adopt DNR's seasonal adjustments to give striped bass a fighting chance.”

— Allison Colden, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Wednesday whether to allow the DNR to move forward with its proposed striped bass fishing regulations or if the legislature will pass the bill limiting the agency's authority.

The takeaway

This dispute over striped bass regulations highlights the ongoing tension between conservation efforts to protect the species and the economic interests of the fishing industry. The outcome of this legislation could have significant impacts on the livelihoods of Maryland's charter boat captains and commercial watermen, as well as the long-term health of the Chesapeake Bay's striped bass population.