LivewellMaryland · River
Middle Patuxent River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Middle Patuxent River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
10 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs, PFOS
What's safe to eat from Middle Patuxent River
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. | |
| Children | For children: limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Blue Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 15–24" | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Blue Crab
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. | |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. | |
| Children | For children: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children | For children: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children | For children: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Spotted Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Sunfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
White Perch
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. | |
| Children | For children: limit to two meals per month due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Yellow Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Middle Patuxent River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
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
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.7 mi Directions
- Canoe / kayak launch canoe launch 2.9 mi Directions
- Patuxent Water Trail 23 canoe launch 4.5 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.