This page is trip planning, not legal advice. Maryland DNR sets sizes, seasons, license tiers, and gear rules that change. Verify before every Ocean City crabbing day.
| Authority | Maryland DNR (not Town of Ocean City tourism copy) |
|---|---|
| Always check | License · size · season · female/sponge rules · gear type |
| On a charter | Ask how guests are covered—do not assume DIY rights later |
| Official hub | DNR blue crab pages |
| Check | Why it matters in Ocean City |
|---|---|
| License / registration | Residency, age, and gear type can change what you need on the pier or boat |
| Minimum size | Measure at the rail—guessing fills coolers with illegal crabs |
| Daily limits | Bushel and count rules move with proclamations |
| Female & sponge crabs | Conservation law—not optional courtesy |
| Gear rules | Hand lines, collapsibles, trotlines, and pots are not interchangeable |
Maryland generally requires the right recreational license or registration for crabbing. Some age or hand-line situations appear in official materials—never trust a social-media summary for your case. Keep proof with you on Ocean City piers and boats.
Charter guests: ask the captain how the party is documented. Bundled coverage for a trip does not mean you can run your own pots the next morning without a personal license.
Trip reads written for this hub—pacing and advice, not a second directory.
