What the Maryland Fishing Challenge is and how to enter
The Maryland Fishing Challenge is an annual tournament run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources that invites anglers of all skill levels to fish for specific species and log their catches. You fish on your own schedule during the competition window — typically several months long — and report your results through the program's online portal or by submitting a paper form. The challenge tracks the largest fish caught in each category and awards prizes to top finishers.
Entry is free. You do not need a special permit beyond your regular Maryland fishing license. When you register, you choose which species categories you want to fish for: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, or other species depending on the year's focus. You then have the full competition period to catch and measure your fish, photograph them, and submit your results before the deadline.
Registration opens each year in late winter or early spring on the Maryland DNR website. The competition typically runs from April through September, though dates shift year to year. Check the current year's rules page on the Maryland DNR site to confirm the exact window, entry deadline, and which species are included that season.
Key Takeaways
- The Maryland Fishing Challenge is free to enter and requires only a valid Maryland fishing license — no special tournament registration fee.
- You fish during a set window (usually April through September) and report your own catches through an online form or paper submission.
- Prizes go to the largest fish in each species category, with separate divisions for youth and adult anglers.
- The Maryland DNR website publishes the current year's rules, species list, and submission deadlines each spring.
- Your catch must be measured and photographed according to the program's standards before you submit it.
How to measure and photograph your catch for submission
The Maryland Fishing Challenge has specific rules about how you document your fish so that measurements are fair and verifiable. You must photograph the fish against a measuring device — a ruler, tape measure, or the program's official measurement card, which you can print from the Maryland DNR website. The fish should be laid flat and straight, with the measuring device clearly visible alongside it from head to tail.
Length is measured from the tip of the mouth to the end of the tail fin when the tail is pinched closed. This is called total length and is the standard for most freshwater species. Take your photo in good light so the measurement is readable and the fish is clearly visible. Many anglers photograph both a close-up of the measurement and a full-body shot to show the whole fish.
Keep the original photo file on your phone or camera. When you submit your catch online, you will upload the image along with the species name, the date and location where you caught it, and your measurement. The Maryland DNR reviews submissions and may contact you if the photo is unclear or the measurement does not match what they see in the image.
Species categories and where to find them in Maryland
The challenge typically includes largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie, though the exact list changes year to year. Largemouth bass are found throughout Maryland's lakes, ponds, and slower river sections — the Potomac River, the Patuxent, and reservoirs like Triadelphia and Savage Mill are popular spots. Smallmouth bass prefer faster water and rocky structure, so the Potomac's upper reaches and the Susquehanna River hold good populations.
Channel catfish are bottom feeders that thrive in the Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers, as well as in larger lakes and reservoirs. They are most active at night and in early morning. Crappie — both black and white crappie — school in deeper water during the day and move to shallower areas to feed at dawn and dusk. They are common in lakes and ponds across the state.
Check the Maryland DNR's fish stocking schedule and species distribution maps on their website to learn which waters near you hold the species you want to target. Local fishing reports and tackle shops can also point you toward current hot spots and what techniques are working that week.
Techniques and tackle that work for challenge species
Largemouth bass respond well to soft plastic lures — worms, crawfish imitations, and swimbaits — fished around structure like fallen trees, weed beds, and dock pilings. Topwater lures early in the morning can produce explosive strikes. Smallmouth bass prefer smaller, more natural presentations: tubes, small crankbaits, and live crayfish. Fish rocky areas, drop-offs, and current breaks in rivers.
Channel catfish are caught on cut bait — chicken liver, shad, or mackerel — fished on the bottom with a simple three-way rig or slip sinker setup. Fish at night or early morning when catfish are most active. Crappie are caught on small jigs tipped with minnows or on live minnows under a bobber. Fish deeper water during midday and shallower areas at dawn and dusk.
The key to landing large fish is patience and persistence. Fish the same productive spots repeatedly during the competition window. Large bass and catfish are often caught by anglers who spend time learning one water well rather than chasing new locations. Keep detailed notes on what worked — time of day, weather, lure color, depth — so you can repeat success.
Prizes, divisions, and how winners are announced
Prizes vary by year but typically include fishing gear, tackle, and gift cards to outdoor retailers. The Maryland DNR divides competitors into adult and youth categories (youth is usually age 15 and under). Winners are determined by the largest fish in each species category within their division — so there is a youth largemouth bass winner, an adult largemouth bass winner, and so on.
Results are posted on the Maryland DNR website once the competition closes and submissions are verified. The announcement usually comes in early fall. Top finishers are notified directly and invited to an awards ceremony or public announcement event, though details vary by year.
Even if you do not place in the top spots, submitting your catch means your data contributes to the state's understanding of fish populations and sizes in Maryland waters. The challenge is as much about participation and connecting with other anglers as it is about winning.
Rules you need to know before you fish
All fish must be caught during the official competition window using legal methods under Maryland fishing regulations. You must have a valid Maryland fishing license for the species you are targeting. Catch-and-release is allowed — you do not have to keep the fish, only photograph and measure it before release.
Each angler can submit only one fish per species category. If you catch a larger fish later in the season, you can submit that one instead, but only one entry per person per species counts toward the final standings. Fish must be caught in Maryland waters — no out-of-state catches.
Read the current year's official rules on the Maryland DNR website before you start fishing. Rules about measurement standards, photo requirements, and submission deadlines can shift, and following them exactly is what keeps your entry valid.
How to register and submit your catches
Registration opens on the Maryland DNR website each spring. You will need your name, address, and Maryland fishing license number. The registration form asks which species categories you want to fish for and whether you are entering as an adult or youth angler. Once registered, you receive a confirmation and access to the submission portal.
Throughout the competition window, you can submit your catches one at a time through the online form. You will enter the species, your measurement, the date and location of the catch, and upload your photograph. The system confirms receipt immediately. You can also submit by mail if you prefer — the rules page lists the mailing address and the paper form you need to print and fill out.
Keep a record of your submission confirmation number for each fish you enter. If you have questions about whether a catch meets the rules or if you need to resubmit a photo, you can contact the Maryland DNR through the website. The submission deadline is firm, so plan to get your entries in well before the final date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special license or permit to fish the Maryland Fishing Challenge?
No. You need only a valid Maryland fishing license for the species you are targeting. There is no separate tournament license or entry fee. Your regular fishing license covers you for the challenge.
Can I fish for multiple species and submit catches in more than one category?
Yes. You can register for as many species categories as you want and submit one fish per species. If you catch a largemouth bass and a channel catfish, you can enter both — but only your largest largemouth and your largest channel catfish will count.
What happens if my photo does not clearly show the measurement?
The Maryland DNR may contact you and ask you to resubmit a clearer photo. If you cannot provide one, your entry may be disqualified. Take your photos in good light and make sure the ruler or measuring device is sharp and readable alongside the fish.
Can I fish for the challenge in any Maryland water?
Yes, as long as it is open to public fishing and you follow all Maryland fishing regulations for that water. Some areas have special rules — catch limits, seasonal closures, or gear restrictions — so check the regulations for the specific lake or river you plan to fish.
When are the winners announced and how do I learn about I won?
Winners are announced in early fall on the Maryland DNR website. Top finishers are notified directly. You can also check the results page to see where your fish ranked in your category and division.