Permits for Maryland's spring rockfish season, which open May 11, will be available at distribution centers this week. There is no charge for the permits, but there will be a limit of one per person, and the permit is required for anyone fishing for rockfish.
L A Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license also will be required.
During the special hook-and-line rockfish season, which closes May 27, fishermen will be limited to one fish measuring at least 36 inches long.
Fishermen will be required to tag the fish through the gill immediately after landing it. The fish then must be checked in at a designated station on the day it is caught.
The permit is a numbered, three-part form that will be used to validate the catch of rockfish. The form includes the name and address of the fisherman, a biological report and the gill tag.
The fishery for the trophy season is limited to waters of the main bay south of the Bay Bridge, including Tangier and Pocomoke sounds.
Fishing hours will be daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. The use of gaffs to land fish is prohibited, and anglers are allowed to use only artificial lures.
Rockfish permit locations
In addition to the Department of Natural Resources regional service centers, rockfish permits will be available at the following locations:
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Anne Arundel County
Angler's Sports Center, 435 Revell Highway, Annapolis.
Brown Boy's Marine Supply, 668 Deale Road, Deale.
C & EJ's Hunting and Fishing, 308 Southern Maryland Blvd., Lothian.
Fish-n-Barrel, 8220 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena.
Marty's Sporting Goods, 95 Mayo Road, Edgewater.
Riviera Sunset Pet Stop, 8518 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena.
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Baltimore City
Chase Bait and Tackle, 12510 Eastern Ave.
Clark's Sports Shop, 3724 S. Hanover St.
Clyde's Sports Shop, 2307 Hammonds Ferry Road.
Outdoor Sportsman, 807 Eastern Blvd.
Tom's Tropicals, 9020 Belair Road.
Wayne's Bait and Tackle, 1601 Light St.
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Baltimore County
Old Reisterstown Bait and Tackle, 16 Westminster Pike, Reisterstown.
The Fishing Shop, 7682 Belair Road, Overlea.
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Calvert County
Bay Pro Shop, 2855 W. Chesapeake Ave., Dunkirk.
Bunky's Charter Boats, Solomons.
Rod n Bob R, 6654 Hallowing Point Road, Prince Frederick.
Rod-n-Reel Dock, Chesapeake Beach.
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Carroll County
Fish Maryland, 1912 Liberty Road, Eldersburg.
Cecil County
Herb's Tackle Shop, 203 S. Main St., Northeast
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Charles County
Rising Tide, Bryantown.
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Dorchester County
Gootee's Marina, Golden Hill
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Frederick County
Frederick Sports Center, 7629 B Devilbliss Bridge, Frederick.
The Rod Rack, 181 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick.
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Harford County
Hunton's Sportfishing Center, 587 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air.
Howard County
Fulton Station Outdoor Sports, 11845 Route 216, Fulton.
Kent County
Toy's Outdoor Store, Route 20, Rock Hall.
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Prince George's County
Fish Busters, Fort Washington.
Ugly Mike's Tackle Box, 1322 A Route 301, Bowie.
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Queen Anne County
Queen Anne Marina, 410 Congressional Drive, Stevensville.
Sportsman Service Center, Route 50, Chester.
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Somerset County
Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield.
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St. Mary's County
Rick's Marine, Scotland.
Scheibles Fishing Center, Ridge.
Talbot County
Harrison's Chesapeake House, Tilghman Island.
Shore Sportsman, Trappe.
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Wicomico County
Dick's Sports Center, 1518 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury.
Dave's Sport Shop, Quantico.
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Worcester County
Sea Hawk Sport Center, Pocomoke City.
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