Are you ready to catch some fish and have a blast in Maryland’s scenic waterways? Well, before you grab your fishing rod and head out, there’s one thing you need to do first: get your fishing license!

But don’t worry, it’s an easy and straightforward process that you can do online in just a few minutes. And once you have your license, you’ll be ready to explore Maryland’s rich fishing opportunities and maybe even reel in a big one.

In this post, we’ll show you how to get your Maryland fishing license step-by-step, so you can spend less time on paperwork and more time on the water. So let’s dive in and get you hooked up with a fishing license!

1. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/service_license.aspx to review regulations and requirements, or go straight to COMPASS to apply.
2. On the COMPASS front page, under the form, click “Enroll Here.” You’ll be asked to input your ID information, contact information, and more. At the end of the process, you’ll be given a Maryland DNR ID and asked to log in.
3. Log in with your information, and on the page that appears, click “Purchase New License.”
4. Click “Sport Fishing” and select the type of license you want: Annual, 7-Day, 3-Day, Non-Tidal, etc. You can also select additional options such as a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License or a Trout Stamp if you like.
5. Enter your payment information to complete the transaction. The cost of the license will vary depending on the type of license you choose and whether you opt for any additional options.
6. Once your transaction is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with a temporary license that you can use until your physical license arrives in the mail.