Blue Mussel

Mytilus edulis , also known as Edible mussel. Blue mussels are economically and environmentally important filter-feeding bivalves. They are commonly harvested for food throughout the world, from both wild and farmed sources.

All Mid-Atlantic species NOAA species profile Verify regulations Charter directory

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Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 05/22/2025). Ocean City charter and Maryland record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and bag limits before you fish—rules change.

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) — NOAA Fisheries illustration near Ocean City, Maryland — Illustration/photo: NOAA Fisheries — Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis).

Quick facts

Length: 2 to 4 inches at maturity; can grow up to 8 inches
Region: Alaska, New England/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, West Coast
Category: Invertebrate · Mid-Atlantic
Maryland likelihood: 4★ out of 5

About the species

Blue mussels are economically and environmentally important filter-feeding bivalves. They are commonly harvested for food throughout the world, from both wild and farmed sources.

Maryland record catch

Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for Blue Mussel on the current sport-fish record board.

Verify on Maryland DNR — Sport Fish State Records . Record boards change when DNR accepts a new fish.

Maryland size & bag limits

Maryland’s Atlantic recreational seasons/sizes/creel summary does not publish a dedicated line for Blue Mussel. Verify COMAR, DNR public notices, and federal rules for your exact waters before you keep fish.

Rule	Maryland / applicable detail
Maryland minimum size	Not listed — no dedicated Blue Mussel line on the MD Atlantic recreational table
Maryland daily creel (bag)	Not listed — no MD species-specific bag for Blue Mussel
Maryland open season	Not listed on the MD Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays summary table
Verify	Check DNR eRegulations, COMAR, and NOAA for your date and coordinates before you keep fish.

Editorial only — verify before you keep a fish. Confirm current seasons, sizes, and creel on Maryland eRegulations — Atlantic seasons, sizes & limits . Rules change; this page is orientation, not the legal digest. Also see verify regulations.

Population & fishing rate

See the NOAA species profile for current stock status language for this entry.

Appearance

Like oysters, clams, and scallops, blue mussel are bivalve mollusks and have a hinged shell.
Adults are sessile—they stay in one place—and inhabit both intertidal and subtidal areas.
Have fast growth rates and high reproduction rates.
First mature as males, then later develop female reproductive capabilities.
Each female can produce between 50 and 200 million eggs during a spawning event.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Mollusca Class Bivalvia Order Mytilida Family Mytilidae Genus Mytilus Species edulis Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/22/2025

Biology

Are Blue Mussels Sustainable? U.S. farmed blue mussels are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.

Where they live

Range

Are Blue Mussels Sustainable? U.S. farmed blue mussels are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.

Habitat

See the NOAA species profile for habitat detail for this entry.

Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context

From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Blue Mussel profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.

Always verify current Maryland and federal size, season, and bag rules for your exact date and coordinates before you keep any catch.

Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Blue Mussel.

What charter to book from Ocean City

Blue Mussel is more of a bay, inshore, or specialty harvest story than a typical OC six-pack trolling day—match the trip type to the animal.

Possible / related

Bay guide — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Inshore charter — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Nearshore wreck / bottom — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Head / party boat — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.

Not typical from OC

Casting / light tackle — Not a typical Ocean City casting / light tackle target for Blue Mussel.
Trolling charter — Not a typical Ocean City trolling charter target for Blue Mussel.
Offshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City offshore charter target for Blue Mussel.

Start with the charter directory trip-type picker so you compare boats inside the right archetype—not a bay-guide quote against a canyon invoice.

Plan a fishing day in Ocean City — Pick the trip archetype before you chase a species story.
Charter directory stubs & trip-type picker — Compare boats inside the right archetype.
Verify Maryland fishing regulations — DNR + NOAA steps before you keep any fish from an OC trip.
Nearshore wreck fishing hub — Structure days from West Ocean City.
Offshore sport fishing hub — Canyon and bluewater context from Ocean City.

Fishery management

NOAA Fisheries and regional fishery management councils manage this species where applicable—see the NOAA profile for plan details.

Harvest

See the NOAA wild-caught fishery section for landings and gear notes when published for this species.

Landings and management details matter most for the waters where Blue Mussel is actually fished—see the NOAA species profile .

Seafood facts

Fact	Detail
Sustainability	Mussels Recipes Looking for some ways to add mussels into your rotation? If you need some cooking inspiration, browse these recipes for quick and easy steamed mussels, mussels gratin, and more! Read More
Availability	Available year-round.
Source	Tidal areas or offshore, mostly in New England, Washington, and California.
Taste	Tender meat and sweet flavor.
Health	Mussels are low in saturated fat and excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.