LivewellMaryland · Lake
Lake Needwood
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Needwood, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
What's safe to eat from Lake Needwood
Black Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Large And Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sunfish (Including Bluegill)
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Maryland's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 30" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 8" min | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Maryland — Maryland DNR