ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Marylanders do not always need a fishing license to cast a line. From quiet county piers and riverfront parks to Ocean City bulkheads and Eastern Shore docks, the state has more than two dozen designated license-free fishing areas open year-round.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources lists the sites as places where recreational anglers are exempt from license and stamp fees. For families, beginners and occasional anglers, the areas offer a lower-cost way to try fishing without buying a standard recreational license first.
The exemption only applies within the designated locations. Anglers must still follow all other Maryland fishing rules, including seasons, size limits, creel limits and gear restrictions…