I know you can't use a Gill net in MD on the Potomac River for shad. Only VA. Not sure about cast nets at Conowingo........ Gary

 

I do not work for MD NRP so take my advice at your own risk. Having said that, I cannot find anything that prohibits recreational use of a cast net in tidal waters. I know there is nothing tidal about the area below the dam, but DNR uses the dam as the tidal/nontidal line to make enforcement simpler. I looked a lot last year at the general fishing regs and COMAR legal mumbo jumbo regs after foul hooking many mud shad while fishing below the dam. I have been considering buying myself a cast net for that purpose, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

link to COMAR regs.
www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.02.20.02.htm

 

Maryland Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Get the latest Maryland saltwater fishing regulations, size and bag limits, and seasonal updates. Learn more to fish legally and responsibly today!

www.eregulations.com

In general, cast nets are allowed in MD tidal waters with some restrictions. Cast nets are not allowed in any non-tidal waters in MD. Gill nets are not legal for rec fishermen in MD.

 

I thing cast nets are ok in tide water as long as you release the ones your not allowed to keep like herring and hickory shad.

 

Andy, that's the way I understand it also.

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thanks for the info!!

 

• Saltwater Fishing Regulations - Maryland Fishing | eRegulations
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• May not be used within 50 feet of a dam or the mouth of any river or tributary

 

One other thing, especially if you are netting catfish bait, white perch caught in nets need to be at least 8 inches in length (no length limit on hook and line caught w perch).

 

Must only be used to catch minnows and bait fish. Mud Shad is baitfish. But what Jerry posted is also right. I knew about below a dam/spillway, but I never knew your not allowed to cast net at the mouth of a river. That one would be very hard to enforce.