Maryland Bans Striped Bass Fishing Across Chesapeake Bay Keith Lusher 08.07.26Striped bass fishing is officially off-limits in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries through the end of August. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prohibits anglers from targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries through Aug. 31. The most recent Chesapeake Bay stock assessment found that recreational dead discards accounted for 21% of all fishing-related striped bass deaths. The agency also publishes a Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast that warns anglers when conditions are especially dangerous for catch-and-release fishing. DNR recommends avoiding striped bass fishing whenever air temperatures climb above 95 degrees.