Maryland Lowers Yellow Perch Catch Limit in Chesapeake Bay

Maryland officials have lowered the daily recreational catch limit for yellow perch in an effort to help the species rebound in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Starting January 8, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reduced the daily bag limit from **10 fish to just five per person, per day in tidal waters, rivers and nontidal streams. The minimum keeper size of 9 inches remains unchanged. 

State biologists say surveys show yellow perch numbers in the upper Bay have declined by more than 50% since 2009, largely due to several years of poor recruitment — meaning fewer young fish are surviving to adulthood. Officials stress that recreational fishing isn’t the main cause of the decline, but reducing harvest of adult fish could help protect key breeding stock. 

Commercial yellow perch fishing has already seen restrictions in recent years through quota systems that shrink as populations fall. Recreational rules had not been tightened since 2009. 

DNR officials encourage anglers to release pre-spawn female perch and focus on post-spawning fish when possible to further support recovery. 

The new limit does not apply to perch caught in reservoirs, lakes, ponds or other impoundments, where current limits remain unchanged