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.10 Recreational Crabbing Catch and Possession Limits — Chesapeake Bay and its Tidal Tributaries
Chesapeake recreational limits: Without a license (shore/pots only) — 2 dozen male hard crabs + 1 dozen soft/peelers. With a license — 1 bushel or 6 dozen males + 2 dozen soft/peelers. Boat limits scale with licenses and people aboard, up to 2 bushels. No keeping female hard crabs or female peelers unless you have a bill of sale and aren't actively crabbing.
A. Unlicensed individuals harvesting from shore or pots may take: 2 dozen male hard crabs plus 1 dozen soft crabs, 1 dozen male peeler crabs, or a combination. B. Licensed individuals harvesting from shore or pots may take: 1 bushel male hard crabs (if stored in bushel) or 6 dozen male hard crabs (if stored in other container), plus 2 dozen soft/peeler crabs. C. Boat limits vary based on vessel licensing status and number of licensed vs. unlicensed individuals aboard, ranging from 2-4 dozen for unlicensed persons to 2 bushels or 12 dozen for multiple licensed individuals on licensed vessels. D. Female crabs restriction: An individual may not catch or possess female hard crabs or female peelers except when accompanied by a bill of sale and the person is not actively catching crabs.