Fall is oyster time on the Bay. The boats are out. Oysters are back on menus up and down the shore. Here is what we know about the 2026-2027 Chesapeake Bay oyster season.

Quick answer: In Virginia, each public oyster area has its own dates. Many hand tong areas are open from October 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. The big patent tong area in the Bay closes March 31. In Maryland, the state DNR sets the season.

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Who sets the Chesapeake Bay oyster season

Wild oysters are still taken in both states. In Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources runs the harvest. In Virginia, the Marine Resources Commission does.[1]

The Virginia board voted on the new season on August 25, 2026. It added a longer season in two areas. The Deep Creek area stays open through March 31. The Bay’s patent tong area runs from October 1 to March 31.[2]

Virginia’s 2026-2027 season

The rules took effect on October 1, 2026.[3] Each area has its own dates and its own gear. Here are a few:

  • Many hand tong areas – such as the York River, Nomini Creek and Indian Creek. They are open from October 1 to May 31.[3]
  • James River, hand scrape – open from October 15 to February 28.[3]
  • Patent tong area in the Bay – open from October 1 to March 31.[3]
  • Pocomoke and Tangier Sound, dredge – open from December 1 to February 28.[3]
  • Seaside Eastern Shore, by hand or hand tong – open from November 1 to May 31.[3]

The full list is in the state rule, 4VAC20-720-40. Plan to harvest? Read the rule and check your license first.

Why oysters matter to the Bay

Oysters clean the water. One oyster can filter more than 50 gallons of water in a day.[1]

But too much harvest, disease, dirty water and lost reefs have cut their numbers a lot.[1] The good news: by 2024, reefs had been restored in nine of 10 chosen rivers in the two states.[1] Oyster farms are big business on the Bay too.[1]

The old skipjacks were built to dredge oysters. Read their story in our guide to skipjacks and Bay boats, and find oyster dishes in Chesapeake Bay seafood and cooking.

Frequently asked questions

When is Chesapeake Bay oyster season? It depends on the state and the area. In Virginia, many public areas open October 1 and some stay open until May 31.

Who manages oysters in the Bay? The Maryland DNR in Maryland, and the Marine Resources Commission in Virginia.

How much water does an oyster filter? One oyster can filter more than 50 gallons in a day.

References