Every summer, Maryland’s waterways buzz with excitement as visitors flock to try their hand at crabbing. But what starts as a fun day on the dock can quickly turn into a legal headache.
Tourists from all over the country find themselves facing fines and even arrests because they didn’t realize they needed a special license to catch those famous Maryland blue crabs. The rules apply whether you’re using traps, trotlines, or even just a simple hand line.
Without the proper paperwork, what seems like a harmless vacation activity can result in unexpected run-ins with wildlife officers.
1. They Don’t Know Licenses Are Required
Most visitors assume crabbing is like fishing off a public pier where anyone can drop a line. They arrive with chicken necks and string, ready for a casual afternoon catching crabs. Nobody tells them that Maryland takes its blue crab population seriously and requires everyone over 16 to have a recreational fishing license…