Natural Resources News
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Underwater Grasses Expanded Nearly 13% in 2025
Gains add more than 4,600 acres of critical Chesapeake Bay habitat
Photo by Brooke Landry, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Underwater grass abundance increased in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries last year. In Maryland’s portion of the Bay, underwater grass coverage expanded from 36,799 acres in 2024 to 41,419 acres in 2025, an increase of nearly 13% in a single year. Bay-wide, SAV acreage reached an estimated 89,385 acres – up 7% from 83,252 acres in 2024.
The 2025 acreage represents about 36% of Maryland’s 114,065-acre restoration target, demonstrating meaningful progress while underscoring the opportunity for continued recovery.
The annual underwater grass survey is conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), which maps submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAV, throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries annually. VIMS also produces a report for Virginia’s portion of the Bay. Read more…
DNR Announces Grant Money Available Again for Venison Donation Programs
Annual program provides funding to process donated deer
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its 2026 venison donation grant program. Grant money is available to organizations to assist with the direct costs of butchering and processing deer with the resulting venison being donated to programs who assist Marylanders in need.
A total of $25,000 will be awarded, and grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible grantees are county governments, municipal corporations, or any 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Read more…
Black Bear Hunt Lottery Winners Selected for 2026 Season
Photo by Bob Geary, submitted to the 2018 Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has drawn the winning lottery entries for the 2026 Maryland Black Bear Hunt.
Lottery entrants were randomly selected to receive permits valid for Maryland’s six-day bear hunting season open from October 26-31, 2026, in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Entrants can check the lottery results section of DNR’s black bear hunt webpage for their DNR ID number.
A total of 1,050 entries were selected between the two black bear hunt zones, including 950 for Black Bear Hunt Zone 1, and 100 for Black Bear Hunt Zone 2.
A total of 4,820 hunters applied for the lottery. Of the permits awarded, 52% went to Western Maryland residents, 38% to residents from other parts of Maryland, and 10% to non-residents. Read more…
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program Accepting Funding Applications for Community Projects in 2027
The Maryland Environmental Trust, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is now accepting applications for this year’s Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2026. About $349,000 is available for this year’s grant round.
The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program awards annual grants to help volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, communities, and local land trusts in Maryland support environmental education projects, community stewardship, and the protection of natural resources in urban and rural areas. This year’s grants include:
- Community stewardship grants for volunteer groups, nonprofits, local governments, and schools;
- Assistance, leadership, and capacity building grants for Maryland’s land trusts; and
- Grants for nonprofits to implement forestry projects on agricultural land.
Funding for the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants is provided by the Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Department of Natural Resources; the Department of Transportation; and the Department of Agriculture. Awards will be announced in March 2027. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: Maryland Hunters Answer the Call to Conserve Wildlife, Protect Farms and Forests
Deer browse heavily in fall to prepare for the winter; hunting is an essential part of keeping their population in line with appropriate resources, and protecting forests and farm crops. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Managing Maryland’s wildlife populations is a year-round, everyday job for the Department of Natural Resources. It’s one that requires specialized training, significant funding, and most importantly, tens of thousands of citizens who contribute to conservation—Maryland’s hunters.
Our migratory bird seasons – starting with mourning dove and early resident Canada goose – kick off the 2026-27 hunting season. Meanwhile, DNR continues its work to assure public access and responsible management of our natural resources.
Every species that is hunted in Maryland is monitored and surveyed to assure we are setting appropriate hunting seasons and bag limits. For some species whose population is threatened, we have found the need to limit harvest to protect the species. For others, like white-tailed deer, we are looking for more people to join the hunt to protect everything else. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – September 2
Vince Tucciarella was kayaking on the lower Susquehanna when he caught this impressive flathead catfish. Photo courtesy of Vince Tucciarella
Many families are making plans for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, and hopefully the outdoors and fishing will be part of the weekend’s festivities. Maryland waters are holding a bounty of fish and crabs so enjoy responsibly and safely.
The striped bass season has reopened, and anglers are free to pursue striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers. The slot size remains 19-24 inches to with a limit fish per day. The coastal striped bass fishery remains open with a 28-inch minimum size and one fish per day. Read more…
Board of Public Works Approves $9 Million for Recreation and Land Conservation in Four Counties
Board also approves Program Open Space Stateside funds for Washington County land acquisition
A group of backpackers hike into the woods in the South Mountain Recreational Complex in Washington County. The Board of Public Works approved the acquisition of 15 forested adjoining South Mountain State Park that will buffer the Appalachian Trail Corridor, protect water quality in the Antietam Creek watershed, provide habitat protection for migratory birds, and expand recreational opportunities for the public. Maryland DNR photo
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $9 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for indoor and outdoor recreation and land conservation in Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Worcester counties.
More than $8.3 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for projects, including additional funds for the construction of the new Edgewater Recreation Center in Anne Arundel County, which will have both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. Funds were also approved for improvements to sports courts, parking lot, roadway, utilities and lighting at the Rubini Athletic Complex in Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County. In addition, funds were approved to construct a new park at Anderson Corner in the City of Laurel in Prince George’s County. The 7-acre park will feature an inclusive playground, trails, courts, and a pavilion. Read more…
Maryland’s 2026-27 Archery Deer Hunting Season Opens September 11
Archery is the first deer hunting season each year, beginning in late summer and running intermittently into mid-winter. Photo by Curtis Harsh, submitted to the 2020 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the archery hunting season for white-tailed and sika deer on Sept. 11. The season runs through Jan. 31, 2027 with several breaks for muzzleloader and firearms season.
In addition, the seventh annual Primitive Deer Hunt Days from Feb. 1-3, 2027 offer archers using vertical longbows and vertical recurve bows a few more days afield.
Multiple Sundays are open to archery hunting in most counties, including on some public lands. Hunters should consult the 2026-2027 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for additional information on specific dates and closures in their region. Read more…
Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Begin for 2026-2027
Mourning dove, early resident Canada goose seasons begin Sept. 1
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the following dates for the state’s 2026-2027 migratory game bird hunting seasons, which begins Sept. 1.
Bag limits, season dates, and shooting hours can be found in the 2026-2027 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Enrolls in CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has enrolled in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies‘ (CALEA) Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The enrollment begins an approximately three-year process to evaluate and strengthen the agency’s policies, procedures, training, operations, and management practices.
Often described as the “international gold standard for public safety agencies,” CALEA accreditation is only achieved by about 5 percent of police agencies nationwide, or roughly 1,000 out of 18,000. Accreditation is a voluntary, standards-based process that helps law enforcement agencies boost organizational effectiveness, strengthen accountability, reduce risk, and enhance public trust. As part of the process, NRP will conduct a comprehensive review of its operations and demonstrate compliance with internationally recognized public safety standards.
Maryland Partners Explore Pathways to Expand Use of Local Wood
Cut timber is stacked at Cambium’s facility in Columbia. Photo by Sam Crane, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland’s forests produce substantially more wood than is harvested each year, but gaps in processing, marketing, and distribution can make it difficult to move that material into construction and consumer markets. Trees removed following storms, development, disease, or routine urban maintenance may also lack nearby processing options, limiting opportunities to recover their wood for beneficial use.
DNR is working with state agencies and the forest products industry to identify and address those barriers. This includes helping project planners understand which Maryland species and products may be suitable for a project, connecting potential buyers with producers and suppliers, and helping Maryland businesses understand and compete for state procurement opportunities.
Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order June 1 directing state agencies to increase the use of wood grown and harvested in Maryland in publicly funded construction projects when wood is a required, preferred, or appropriate building material. The order calls on state agencies to review procurement practices and identify opportunities to use more Maryland wood.
On Aug. 18, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of Emergency Management officials, including DNR Sec. Josh Kurtz, had the opportunity to see how local innovators are reshaping the timber industry in Maryland. They joined forest products professionals and other partners for a tour of Cambium’s flagship wood-processing facility under construction in Columbia. The visit focused on opportunities to strengthen Maryland’s wood supply chain and increase the use of Maryland-grown wood in public projects. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Seeks Farmers for Regenerative Agriculture Opportunity
Long-term agricultural leases prioritizing regenerative practices and traditions represent part of a new vision for state land
Photo by Penny Mohr, submitted to the 2019 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is opening a 111-acre agricultural property in Montgomery County to farmers using regenerative practices and traditions that improve soil health, the first step in an effort to expand land access while promoting sustainable agriculture in the state.
Regenerative practices and traditions consist of a variety of farming techniques, drawn from indigenous and traditional land stewardship, that help cycle nutrients in the soil, reduce erosion, restore biodiversity, enhance water quality, and reduce net carbon emissions. DNR is seeking farmers for a long-term lease in Seneca Creek State Park. Read more…
Somers Cove Marina Hosts National Hard Crab Derby, Boat Slips Available for Crisfield’s Labor Day Event
Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield is the largest publicly owned marina in Maryland. Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites all to Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield for the 79th annual National Hard Crab Derby on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-6. This event, held by the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce and taking place on the state-owned marina, celebrates traditions of the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore; and highlights Crisfield’s history as the “Crab Capital of the World.”
This unique crab-themed event includes crab races, boat docking, crab cooking and picking contests, artisans, live entertainment, pageants, a parade, fireworks, a carnival, and more.
The weekend culminates in a competitive boat docking event on Sunday, September 6. In this event, captains race toward a dock, turn sharply and reverse into a slip. Competitive boat docking was called in a recent Wall Street Journal article “the hottest sport you likely never heard of,” although in Maryland several of these events take place around the Chesapeake Bay every summer. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – August 26
Chaz Wheeler holds up a large Chesapeake Channa he caught near Edgewood, on the Bush River. Photo courtesy of Chaz Wheeler
Maryland anglers have been busy fishing for a variety of species this week. Chesapeake Channa is one of the fish that anglers have come to enjoy during the August striped bass closure. The Maryland striped bass closure will end soon, and anglers across the Chesapeake Bay will be able to fish for striped bass September 1.
Visitors Invited to the Department of Natural Resources’ Exhibits at the 2026 Maryland State Fair in Timonium
Exhibits Open Aug. 27–Aug. 30; Sept. 3-Sept. 7 (Labor Day); and Sept. 10-Sept. 13
Visitors talk with Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff at the 2025 Maryland State Fair. Photo by Rachael Pacella, Maryland DNR
Visitors to the Maryland State Fair can join the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as it celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday.
Fairgoers are invited to visit the exhibits located inside the Mosner Miller Building at the Timonium state fairgrounds to engage with field experts and learn more about fishing, hunting, wildlife, and recreational opportunities in Maryland’s state forests, parks, and other public lands.
Exhibits explore the history of the Maryland Forest Service, as well as “Red, White, Blue and YOU!” activities and displays from the Maryland Park Service. The Wildlife and Heritage Service will share information about how Maryland flora and fauna have changed during the past 250 years.
Natural Resources Police will be onsite to share information about safe hunting and boating, as well as recruitment. Wildlife Crimestoppers will share information about poaching prevention.
The building is air-conditioned, and with tons of activities for kids of all ages, it is a great place to get away from the heat or the rain. Read more…
Maryland Park Service Reopens Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park after Removal of Rabid Beavers
Cunningham Falls State Park. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reopened water access at Hunting Creek Lake and surrounding portions of Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont today, after extensive monitoring found no evidence of rabid beavers.
Portions of the park closed following two beaver attacks at the lake – a 13-year-old was bitten while swimming on July 26 and a 19-year-old was bitten while fishing on August 5. Both beavers were dispatched; and both later tested positive for rabies. Since then, DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service and the Maryland Natural Resources Police worked with Maryland Park Service staff to confirm the area was safe to reopen.
Biologists conducting thermal surveys after sunset were not able to find additional beavers in the Hunting Creek Lake area. Additional monitoring methods including trail cameras, trapping, and sign surveys indicate that no beavers remain in the area. Further, there have been no staff observations of beavers around Hunting Creek Lake. Read more…
Savage Highlands State Park Opens, Providing Access to Thousands of Acres of Western Maryland Outdoors
Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw, Department of Natural Resources Sec. Josh Kurtz, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson celebrated the dedication of Savage Highlands State Park with Maryland Park Service staff on Aug. 22.
UPDATED Sept. 2: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially opened Savage Highlands State Park, which provides increased access to tens of thousands of acres of state forest and natural areas in Garrett County and the surrounding region.
Maryland’s newest state welcomed its first overnight reservation-holders the weekend of August 28 along with a steady stream of day-use visitors touring the new location and talking with staff. The park’s main lodge is open the public every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are being accepted for yurts and campsites through November 1.
Savage Highlands State Park provides family-friendly accommodations for rent and serves as a major access point to Western Maryland’s network of state parks, state forests, rivers, reservoirs, and mountain trails.
Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz and Maryland Park Service staff dedicated the new park during a ceremony Saturday, Aug. 21, featuring Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman and State Senate President William C. Ferguson.
Savage Highlands State Park provides accommodations and access to more than 50,000 acres of state forest. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Formerly a privately-owned luxury lodge, Savage Highlands State Park includes a large central lodge, 18 cabins, eight yurts, and approximately 5.75 miles of trails. The complex serves as a gateway to the surrounding 55,000-acre Savage River State Forest and the nearby network of year-round outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skiing, swimming, paddling, and hunting.
Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said Savage Highlands amounts to one of the department’s most significant new park openings in decades. When the property previously known as Savage River Lodge was available for sale, DNR pursued it with that vision in mind, and to protect the property from any commercial development that would be inconsistent with the natural features of the surrounding state forest. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – August 19
This young angler enjoyed fishing for Spanish mackerel with his family. Photo by Travis Long
Maryland anglers have a wide range of fishing opportunities this week from the freshwater areas to the brackish Chesapeake Bay and the salty Atlantic Ocean. In the Bay, recreational crabbing is very good and anglers are enjoying a wide variety of fishing.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds Maryland recreational anglers that targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries is prohibited through August 31 as a conservation measure to protect this species.
Board of Public Works Approves $4.6 Million for Trails, Playgrounds, and Land Conservation in Eleven Counties
Board also approves funds to conserve forest for new Natural Environment Area in Rocky Gap State Park complex
Funding was approved for the Land Preservation Trust to acquire a 48-acre permanent conservation easement in the Piney Run Rural Legacy Area in Baltimore County. The easement will protect productive farmland and forestland, as well as stream buffers within the watershed for the Loch Raven Reservoir, a source of drinking water for the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved $4.6 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and a land trust for trails, playgrounds, and land conservation in Baltimore, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties.
About $950,000 in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for four projects, including the renovation of a one-mile trail at Wheaton Regional Park Trail in Montgomery County. The renovation will make the trail accessible for those with disabilities. In addition, Pleasant Valley Park in Washington County is funded for a new playground.
Also approved was $3.18 million for the Community Parks and Playgrounds program to fund 13 projects statewide: Read more…
Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Shows Continued Better Than Average Dissolved Oxygen Conditions in July
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University in early and late July 2026 show lower-than-average volumes of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l of oxygen—in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia.
Hypoxia was slightly below average in early July, and decreased in late July, ranking as the 8th smallest mainstem hypoxic volume observed for that time period. Early and late July respectively had 0.30 and 0.39 cubic miles of anoxia—waters with less than 0.2 mg/l of oxygen. Read more…
Portion of Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County Temporarily Closed Following Beaver Attack
Deceased beaver found on Monday confirmed to have rabies; search for additional sick animals is ongoing
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Updated Aug. 19: On August 13 at about 3:30 p.m., Seneca Creek State Park staff received a report of a beaver that attacked and bit a 10-year-old girl in a creek on park property.
On Aug. 17, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff found a deceased beaver that was sent to the Maryland Department of Health for testing, which confirmed on August 19 the beaver was rabid. DNR and health officials are unable to determine if this beaver is the one that attacked.
The incident occurred at a bend in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River. This area, including about one mile of trail and river access points, will remain closed to visitors as wildlife teams continue to search for additional sick beavers or other animals. Access to the adjacent parking lot and the parking lot on Route 28 is restricted by fluorescent orange cones. Signs are posted notifying of the incident.
Other areas of the park, including the Lake Area off of Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, remain open.
Maryland Fishing Report – August 12
The Mitchell family was one of many winners of a fishing trip for blue catfish in the first-ever Reel in the Blues Bonanza, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Jared Mitchell holds up one of the many blue catfish they caught on their trip. Photo by Marc Mitchell
August continues to provide a broad range of fishing opportunities for anglers during the striped bass closure.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds Maryland recreational anglers that targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries is prohibited through August 1 through August 31 to protect the species. This month is an ideal time to fish for Maryland’s multitude of other species, especially Chesapeake Channa and blue catfish.
For anyone interested in chasing a Maryland state fishing record, there are steps anglers can take to increase their chances of hooking the largest fish of a given species and what to do if you think you have record-setting catch. Learn more from DNR’s online article on what it takes to land a Maryland record.
Governor Moore Announces Maryland Achieves Nearly All of 2025 Chesapeake Bay Restoration Goals, Sets Sights on 2040
Maryland Department of Natural Resources officials and partners celebrate the completion of initial restoration at the Manokin River oyster sanctuary, marking a major milestone in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals. From left to right: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden; Oyster Recovery Partnership Executive Director Ward Slacum; Angela Sowers, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District; UMCES Horn Point Laboratory Director Mike Sieracki; and DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program
Governor Wes Moore today announced Maryland has successfully met or surpassed nearly all of its pollution reduction targets set under the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to improve water quality. Based on the most recent information from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s pollution model, Maryland achieved 100% of its sediment reduction goal, 100% of the phosphorus reduction goal and 99% of the nitrogen reduction goal from 2009 to 2025. The model was updated this year based on data from 2025.
“Preserving the Chesapeake Bay is crucial to the long-term success of our state’s economy, culture, and identity,” said Gov. Moore. “The Bay’s rivers and streams support our local environment, seafood, tourism, and recreational businesses, and our administration is committed to improving its water quality and protecting the Bay as a precious heirloom to pass down to future generations in a better condition than we received it.” Read more…
Natural Resources Police Promotes 38 Officers, Announces Leadership Updates
Lieutenant Colonel Brent Trautman named Deputy Superintendent; other officers honored for new leadership roles at ceremony in Arnold
Colonel Orlando Lilly, Major Christopher Morris, Lieutenant Colonel Brent Trautman, and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz gather at Wednesday’s ceremony in Annapolis. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police held a promotional ceremony Wednesday evening where 38 officers were recognized for rising in ranks from corporal through lieutenant colonel at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold.
The event began with the promotions of Lieutenant Colonel Brent Trautman and Major Christopher Morris who joined the executive command ranks. Lieutenant Colonel Trautman, a 29-year NRP veteran, was formally promoted to Deputy Superintendent and will serve as the second-in-command to NRP Superintendent Colonel Orlando D. Lilly. Major Morris begins his role as Assistant Superintendent and Commander of the Executive Services Bureau, where he will oversee strategic planning, accreditation, policy, and more. Read more…
DNR Closes Additional Areas of Cunningham Falls State Park Following Second Beaver Attack
Update Aug. 24: Maryland Park Service Reopens Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park after Removal of Rabid Beavers
Original release (revised Aug. 6): The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is closing additional areas of Cunningham Falls State Park around Hunting Creek Lake after a fisherman reported that he was bitten on the leg by a beaver in the South Beach Day Use area of the park at about 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5.
On Aug. 6, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed the second beaver collected from Cunningham Falls State Park had tested positive for the rabies virus.
The injured fisherman in today’s attack, a 19-year-old male, appeared to have sustained a bite to the ankle and transported himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment. He received treatment for rabies exposure and a tetanus shot, and Natural Resources Police followed up with him after treatment for an account of the incident.
Following the attack, NRP officers caught and euthanized the beaver, which is being delivered to the Frederick County Health Department. The Maryland Department of Health’s laboratory will conduct rabies testing and expects to have results available later this week.
This is the second incident of this nature at Cunningham Falls State Park within the past two weeks following a July 26 beaver attack on a 13-year-old swimmer. That beaver was caught, euthanized, and tested positive for rabies on July 27.
In response to the second incident, the Maryland Park Service has closed the Houck Day Use Area, the adjacent boat ramp, and Big Hunting Creek above the lake while the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service continues to investigate a possible rabies outbreak within the local beaver population. Swimming, fishing, boating, and all water access are prohibited until the area can be confirmed safe for visitors. Other areas of the park, including the campground, remain open. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – August 5
Photo courtesy of Miss Susie Charters
Anglers are enjoying a wide variety of fishing opportunities this week from freshwater streams and ponds to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds Maryland recreational anglers that targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries is prohibited from August 1 through August 31 to protect the species. This month is an ideal time to fish for Maryland’s multitude of other species, especially Chesapeake Channa and blue catfish.
Anglers chosen in the lottery for free blue catfish fishing charters in DNR’s first-ever Reel in the Blues Bonanza are enjoying fun fishing adventures and reaping a harvest of blue catfish and taking home delicious fillets.
Board of Public Works Approves $6.38 Million for Tennis Courts, Trails, and Land Conservation in Five Maryland Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Community Parks and Playgrounds and Rural Legacy programs
The Board of Public Works approved $1 million of Rural Legacy pto acquire a 141-acre permanent conservation easement in the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area protects some of Carroll County’s most productive farmland. Maryland DNR photo
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $6.38 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for tennis courts, trails, and land conservation in Carroll, Frederick, Kent, Prince George’s, and Washington counties.
More than $3.8 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for three recreation projects.
The largest fund award will be used for the construction of an indoor tennis facility with six courts at Westphalia Central Park in Prince George’s County. In addition, the town of Mount Airy in Frederick County will make improvements to two tennis courts at Village Gate Park with these funds, as well as funds from the Community Parks and Playgrounds program. The third project is the construction of trails and parking at the Washington County Regional Park.
Also approved was $930,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program to fund the acquisition of 1.55 acres of land for the Central Avenue Connector Trail in Capitol Heights, Prince George’s County. This is the start of a new 7-mile trail that will connect the District of Columbia and Largo Town Center. This program was funded in FY 2022 and FY 2023 to provide grant funds primarily to local governments for park and recreation projects.
About $576,000 of Community Parks and Playgrounds program funding was approved for three projects – a tennis court reconstruction at Village Gate Park in Mt. Airy, Frederick County, additions to Rock Hall Park (a dog park, restrooms and park lighting) in Kent County and a new pavilion at Shafer Park in Boonsboro, Washington County. Read more…
Secretary’s Message – There’s Plenty of Fish to Chase During the Dog Days of Summer While We Protect Striped Bass
Governor Wes Moore and Secretary Josh Kurtz promote fishing for Maryland’s invasive blue catfish during a 2024 event. Maryland DNR photo.
For the month of August, we are giving our striped bass in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay a much-needed break. Heat stress is one of the major threats to the species and that stress is exacerbated during the late summer in the Bay when high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels are more prevalent. To protect the younger, resident population of striped bass during this time, all striped bass fishing in Maryland is off limits through Aug. 31.
A summer closure has been part of our management strategy for striped bass since 2020, although the department shifted the closure to August. The goal is to give younger resident fish the chance to grow and eventually leave the Chesapeake Bay to join the spawning stock. These efforts follow years of poor striped bass spawning success being recorded in the Bay.
Scientists are still getting a handle on how to reverse this trend. Recent research has suggested that environmental factors – warmer, drier winters and decreased spring water flow rates – contribute to this decline. We can’t control those factors, but others we can attempt to reverse. Read more…
Waterway Users Urged to Boat Smart to Avoid Propeller Strikes, Other Risks on the Water
NRP patrol boats and fire and rescue boats respond to a vessel fire on the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County on August 30, 2025. Ignition of fuel vapors is the leading cause of vessel fires in Maryland. Maryland DNR photo.
To avoid serious propeller strike accidents and other preventable boating injuries, the Natural Resources Police is providing an overview of safety steps boaters and other waterway users should follow when spending time underway.
“Our top priority is ensuring all boaters make it home safely at the end of the day,” said Col. Orlando Lilly, NRP Superintendent. “We’ve seen a concerning number of boating injuries occur this season; these are accidents that can happen in an instant and can often be preventable through simple safety practices.” Read more…
Crossing to Freedom: Historic Casselman River Bridge Recognized for its Role in the Underground Railroad
Casselman River Bridge, first opened in 1813, is currently undergoing renovations to be reopened to foot traffic. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Casselman River Bridge State Park in Garrett County recently joined the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, which honors and preserves the history of resistance to enslavement.
The landmark earned the designation thanks to its role in the emancipation of author, minister and abolitionist Josiah Henson.
When Henson crossed the bridge in 1828, it was about 15 years old, and at the time, the largest stone arch bridge in the fledgling nation. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of Transportation are now stabilizing and resurfacing the bridge to ensure another two centuries as a National Historic Landmark. Read more…
Eleven-year-old from Baltimore County Named 34th FishMaryland Master Angler
Angler Talan Scott Vrablic (right), along with his father Raymond Vrablic, caught and released an 18.75-inch hickory shad on the way to Talan’s FishMaryland Master Angler award. Photo by Raymond Vrablic.
Talan Scott Vrabic of Rosedale has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland.
Vrabic is the fifth youth angler (under age 16) and one of two eleven-year-olds to secure the award. Vrabic and his father, Raymond Vrablic, are an inseparable fishing team, and Vrabic has been accompanying his dad on fishing trips since he was 5 months old. Today, they fish together throughout Maryland.
His father has physical disabilities and is not able to walk, which can make fishing trips challenging for the pair. Vrabic said that surmounting those difficulties made fishing together even more special. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Joining National Night Out in Maryland Neighborhoods on Aug. 4
NRP officers join forces with the community at a 2025 National Night Out event in Oakland, where a patrol vehicle was fingerpainted by attending children. Maryland DNR photo.
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers will visit communities throughout Maryland on Tuesday, Aug. 4 in support of National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign promoting partnerships between the police and the neighborhoods they serve.
The National Night Out campaign was established in 1984 and has grown to include more than a million community members in all 50 states. Maryland’s community events include block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and public safety demonstrations.
Waterfowl Hunting Impoundments Available at Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas for 2026-27 Season
Photo by Lori Bramble, submitted to the 2017 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has posted the annual schedule and process for waterfowl hunting at impoundments in the Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas. The program aims to reduce hunter crowding and maintain the quality of waterfowl hunting opportunities during Maryland’s regular duck season.
At both wildlife management areas’ impoundments, hunting is allowed in three segments and only on the following days during the regular duck season: opening day and Saturdays during the October segment; opening day, Saturdays, and the Friday following Thanksgiving during the November segment; and opening day and Saturdays during the December-January portion, with Wednesdays added after January 1.
Hunters must have a permit to hunt on all open days during the regular duck season at the Deal Island impoundment. As in the past, a permit is required to hunt at the Fairmount impoundments on the opening day of each segment of the regular duck season. All the impoundments will continue to be open without permits on Youth, Veteran and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days – Nov. 7, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027 – and during the September resident goose season. The Fairmount impoundments will continue to be open during the September teal season without permits, but the Deal Island impoundment will be closed for the September teal season. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 29
Master Angler Lucy Moore caught this large Chesapeake Channa, aka snakehead, recently in the lower Susquehanna River. Photo by Nick Perez
Families across Maryland are enjoying the outdoors together this summer and fishing is always a major part of spending time with children. Many youngsters will catch their first fish, and we hope fishing will be a big part of their lives in the future.
Beginning Saturday August 1, the Maryland Chesapeake Bay striped bass season will close through August 31 for conservation reasons. It will reopen on September 1. The tidal Potomac is also closed as of July 7 and will not reopen until August 21. The striped bass season along the coastal waters of Maryland will remain open. During this time we encourage anglers to explore the multitude of other species in our state.
One hundred lucky people were randomly selected to win a free blue catfish charter/guided experience this August, in our first-ever Reel in the Blues Bonanza. The winners have been notified by email. Even those who did not win this year can participate in the effort to remove invasive blue catfish from Maryland waters. Visit the blue catfish page on the DNR website to learn fishing tips, find a charter or guide to book your own trip, or buy blue catfish in restaurants or to make at home.
New Executive Order Promotes Use of Maryland-Grown Wood in Public Construction Projects
Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary, speaks June 24 at the Logger Appreciation Dinner in Vienna, hosted by the Maryland Forests Association to recognize the vital role Maryland’s logging professionals play in managing our forests and supporting rural economies.
Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order June 1 directing state agencies to increase the use of Maryland-grown and harvested wood in publicly funded construction projects when wood is a required, preferred, or appropriate building material. The order is intended to strengthen local markets that support sustainable forestry, rural jobs, and the long-term conservation of Maryland’s working forests.
The executive order directs the Maryland Department of General Services, in coordination with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Natural Resources, to review procurement practices and identify opportunities to increase the use of Maryland-grown wood in state construction projects.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said the executive order builds on existing efforts within the department to prioritize locally sourced wood products while creating new opportunities for Maryland’s forest industry.
In June, Secretary Kurtz addressed the annual Logger Appreciation Dinner, a yearly celebration hosted by the Maryland Forests Association. Kurtz noted that increasing the use of Maryland-grown wood can help address multiple statewide priorities, including housing needs, economic development, and forest conservation. Read more…
Anne Arundel County’s Forked Creek Yacht Club Certified as Maryland Clean Marina
Facility’s efforts improve local water quality and help restore the Chesapeake Bay
Forked Creek Yacht Club board members Steve Scott and Greg Jones hold their Clean Marina Award. The Anne Arundel County marina was certified for the program in July 2026. Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified Forked Creek Yacht Club in Severna Park as the newest Maryland Clean Marina Partner.
The department awards this designation to marine facilities that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and voluntarily adopt a significant portion of recommended best practices in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook. There are now 131 certified Clean Marinas in Maryland, representing about 25% of the marinas in the state. Read more…
Maryland’s Summer Closure of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass Fishing Begins August 1
During August, all targeting of striped bass is off-limits in the Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries. Anglers are encouraged to target Maryland’s many other species during this time.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds Maryland recreational anglers that targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries is prohibited from August 1 through August 31.
The striped bass targeting closure, shifted to August for the 2026 season, was put in place to protect the younger, resident striped bass population when hot water and air temperatures in mid-summer make fish more vulnerable to dying after being caught and released.
During the closure, DNR officials encourage anglers to pursue other fish, such as invasive blue catfish and Chesapeake Channa, also known as snakehead, by using different fishing methods than those used for striped bass. These invasive species have no bag or size limits and their harvest contributes to a healthier ecosystem in the Bay.
Recent research has suggested that environmental factors are contributing to poor striped bass spawning success. The summer closure offers important protection for Maryland’s state fish. First implemented in 2020, it aims to support the resident stock of striped bass and decrease overall mortality in Chesapeake Bay. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 22
Lilliana Andrew went fishing with her grandad and caught her first fish, a spot. Photo by Brittany Andrew
The summer season is in full swing, and it’s a wonderful time to take the family for visits or take short trips together close to home. Be sure to take our youngest aspiring anglers fishing and start them out with plenty of action.
As a reminder, the Chesapeake Bay recreational striped bass fishery is open to harvest through July 31 and then closed the entire month of August, reopening Sept. 1. This is to help protect our iconic species from the stress of being targeted during times of high temperatures and low oxygen levels.
During the remaining striped bass season, anglers should check the forecast and the Click Before You Cast before setting out. 
Board of Public Works Approves $1.46 Million for Pickleball Courts, Skate Park, and Land Conservation in Six Maryland Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Community Parks and Playgrounds, and Rural Legacy programs
In the Mountain Ridge Rural Legacy Area, Allegany County will acquire a conservation easement on a 239-acre forest containing more than a mile of stream buffers. Mountain Ridge includes exemplary plant and wildlife habitat—an important migration corridor and perhaps the most significant golden eagle flyway in the state. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved $1.46 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for pickleball courts, a skate park, and land conservation in Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Garrett, Talbot, and Washington counties. Read more…
Maryland Dedicates Wetipquin Creek State Park, Historic Landscape to Become First State Park in Wicomico County
Wetipquin Creek State Park in Wicimico County includes the house and grounds of the historic Long Hill house, the creek for which the park is named, and more than 400 acres of marsh and forest showcasing the Delmarva Peninsula’s natural features. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offered local officials and special guests a preview of Wetipquin Creek State Park on Tuesday, as the state celebrated the acquisition of the 445-acre property that will become Wicomico County’s first state park.
The Maryland Park Service named this newest park in honor of the creek that flows through it and empties into the Nanticoke River.
Wetipquin Creek State Park, currently in the planning phase, will conserve and foster an appreciation of the natural resources of the Delmarva Peninsula. The property contains the historic and architecturally significant house known as Long Hill, which dates back to the mid-18th century and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Read more…
Greenspace Equity Program Proposes $7 Million in Grants for Fiscal Year 2027
Parks, trails, and other public green spaces are eligible for funding. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Governor Wes Moore’s FY 2027 budget includes $7 million for Maryland’s Greenspace Equity Program, supporting 15 projects across nine counties and Baltimore City. This program supports the creation, preservation, and improvement of public green spaces, enhancing the public health and community livability in overburdened and underserved communities.
Selected projects for FY 2027 include two acquisitions of land for new parks, and the development of new trails, community gardens, playgrounds, and other public green spaces. The Department consulted with the Greenspace Equity Advisory Board on the administration of the program.
Under the Greenspace Equity legislation, areas are defined as overburdened if environmental health measures show they are affected by pollution sources at higher levels than other areas, and underserved based on income levels and other key indicators. The grants will be presented to the Board of Public Works for final approval. Any budgeted funds that are not allocated to specific projects will be awarded in future grant rounds. Read more…
Governor Moore Announces Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund Provides $20 Million in Capital Grants for Public Boating Access, Navigable Waterways, and Safety
Choptank Marina and Boat Ramp in Preston recently showcased several upgrades completed with money from the Waterway Improvement Fund. Photo by Mickey Pullen, courtesy of Caroline County Recreation and Parks.
Governor Moore today announced the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will provide $13 million in Waterway Improvement Fund allocations and $7 million in General Obligation Bond funding toward 24 public boating projects throughout Maryland in Fiscal Year 2027, which began July 1.
The grants provided to partners will support new and improved public boating access facilities, dredging of navigable public waterways, boating-safety-related vessels, and other important infrastructure and initiatives.
“Boating is an integral aspect of Maryland’s cultural identity that supports our seafood and tourism economies,” said Gov. Moore. “These major investments provide resources to strengthen our boating infrastructure, expand recreational access, and ensure the longevity of our waterways for Marylanders to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay for generations to come.” Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 15
Angler Rodney Hamm caught a 32.5-inch Chesapeake Channa in the Sassafras River in June. Photo courtesy of Rodney Hamm.
The summer heat is on, but there is plenty of great fishing to be had throughout Maryland. Make sure your fishing license is up to date!
As a reminder, under new regulations the Chesapeake Bay recreational striped bass fishery is open to harvest through July 31 and then closed the entire month of August, reopening Sept. 1. During the remaining striped bass season, anglers should check the forecast conditions and fish with caution to protect our iconic species from the stress of being targeted during times of high temperatures and low oxygen levels. Once anglers catch their daily limit (one fish per person per day, at least 19 inches and cannot exceed 24 inches), they should cease targeting striped bass and focus on other species, to limit the amount that are caught and released. If a striped bass isn’t a keeper, it should be released in the water without ever being removed.
Tips for safe catch and release are on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.
This is a great time to pursue the multiple other species in Maryland waters – particularly blue catfish found in almost every tidal river, and the challenging Chesapeake Channa, or northern snakehead, which is very active in warm temperatures.
Regional reports for the Chesapeake Bay, freshwater fishing areas, and the Atlantic and coastal bays will return later this month.
Maryland Black Bear Hunt Lottery Applications Open for 2026 Season
Photo by by Mitch Adolph, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ black bear hunt lottery will be open from July 15 through August 31. Entry is required to participate in the 2026 Maryland bear hunting season from October 26 – 31 in all of Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties.
The bear hunt is an important part of managing Maryland’s expanding bear population by helping to reduce conflicts between humans and bears such as collisions with vehicles and property damage.
Hunters can check the DNR black bear hunt website on September 3 to see if they were selected. Applicants of the lottery who are not selected receive one preference point for each year that they enter the lottery but are not selected. Each preference point represents one chance in the next bear permit lottery the hunter enters. Anyone who is not seeking a permit this year, but may in the future, can purchase a preference point for $15 without entering the 2026 lottery. Read more…
Maryland Accepting Requests to Fund Watershed Restoration, Community Flood Planning, Beneficial Use, and Environmental Education
Maryland DNR Grants Gateway open for Fiscal Year 2028 funding
A newly constructed living shoreline on Tilghman Island protects a tidal wetland and adjacent community from coastal flood impacts. Maryland DNR photo by Maggie Cavey.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Grants Gateway opens July 15, 2026 for applications from local governments and organizations for Fiscal Year 2028.
Through this process, DNR connects Maryland communities with funding opportunities for projects and programs that improve water quality in local waterways, increase communities’ resilience to storms and changing conditions, strengthen local economies, develop environmental stewards, and increase beneficial use of dredged material.
The department’s Grants Gateway solicitation provides a streamlined hub for multiple funding sources–enabling prospective applicants to find the program that meets their needs. Read more…
Maryland Awards $11.2 Million from Whole Watershed Program to Advance Environmental Restoration
The Baltimore Harbor is one of five selected watersheds in the Whole Watershed Program. DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is awarding $11.2 million in grants from the Whole Watershed Fund to accelerate restoration efforts in five key watersheds across the state. Established by the Whole Watershed Act, this second year of the five-year program supports 30 projects in Antietam Creek, Baltimore Harbor, Newport Bay, the Severn River, and the Upper Choptank River, including three agricultural areas, and two cross-state collaborative areas.
Each watershed will receive $2 million in project funding and $250,000 for watershed monitoring funding. Projects will help improve water quality, enhance habitat, and engage communities throughout Maryland. Read more…
Native Animal Profile: Crayfish
A biologist holds up a crayfish found in the Patapsco River. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Most of us who have played in shallow water or let our children play in Maryland streams and ponds vividly recall an encounter with a crayfish. It’s usually hiding under a rock, hurriedly scampering along a sandy stream bottom, shooting quickly backwards away from disturbance, or angrily shaking small claws at us as we pluck it out of the water. This creek critter is uniquely charismatic and still quite common despite the increase in threats to its survival. Whether you call it crayfish, crawfish, mudbug, crawdad, freshwater lobster, or another of many common nicknames, this humble crustacean is often seen but not often fully appreciated. Read more…
No Place Like Home: DIY Wildlife Houses for Home Habitats, Gardeners, and Kids
By Katy Gorsuch
If you’re anything like me, you spent much more time as a kid carefully constructing homes for rolly pollies (aka isopods) than you did playing sports. And there’s no reason that should stop! Below are a selection of houses you can build for our wildlife neighbors, each with a difficulty rating based on the time and materials needed to put them together (Note: if you need to change the size, you can use the same scale).
Toad Abode
Entry submitted to Maryland DNR’s 2020 “Create Your Own State Park” program.
Rating: Easy, 1 out of 5 Slugs
Materials: a flower pot or a bowl or some rocks or an old birdhouse (or anything else that works where you are and with what you have)
A home for a toad, or a “toad abode” is one of the simplest wildlife homes you can put together! The goal is to create a spot that is cool, shaded, and on the ground, in whatever form that takes. If this is going to go in a sunny spot in your space, choose materials that don’t heat up much, like ceramic, or tuck the house back underneath bushes or shrubs. Read more…
Natural Heritage Program Spotlight: The SWAP!
Cover of the 2025-2035 Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan, which has been completed for review by the federal government.
The tagline of the 1990s television show Captain Planet told kids weekly, “the power is yours!” Just like the adventures those cartoon characters faced every week, Maryland’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is a real-life Planeteer challenge: How should we as Maryland citizens work collaboratively to protect rare species and keep abundant wildlife from becoming rare in the future? Natural Heritage Program staff and community stakeholders across the state have been working tirelessly to tackle this challenge. We are proud to share that a final draft is complete!
Every ten years, all fifty states and the District of Columbia are required to update their SWAP. The plan is meant to serve as a non-regulatory guiding document for conservation efforts concerning the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need – including all shapes and sizes of wild animals and plants – and the habitats where we find them. The last SWAP cycle was completed in 2015. The updated SWAP was due and submitted to the federal government on May 1, 2026. Compliance is necessary for states to access State Wildlife Grant (SWG) funding, which funds a large chunk of non-game species conservation work nationwide. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, these funds are used “for improving public and private lands, ensuring the availability of sufficient habitat for species, and providing quality recreational experiences for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.” Examples of funded efforts include research, fish and wildlife surveys, species restoration, habitat management, and monitoring. States must also match 25-35% of those funds, and for Maryland that funding often comes from the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund. Anyone can donate to it on their tax return each year. Read more…
Moon Mythology and Maryland Wildlife: Summer Moons
By Katy Gorsuch
Assateague at Night by Rick Dove, DNR Photo Contest 2020. The next full moon after this photo was taken would have been the full Buck Moon, on July 5th in 2020.
Continuing our exploration of the diverse and wonderful ecology of Maryland, we turn to the warm summer full moons and all they represent!
As with winter and spring moons, summer full moons have folk names often in alignment with animals responding to the changing seasons, or locally important events. Recorded in English as far back as 1722, indigenous peoples named the full moons, although some are more recently derived.
Full moon names varied widely depending on geographic location and language family amongst Native Americans. For example, in some locations one full moon might be named “Goose Moon,” while in another location the same time period could be the “Cold Moon.” The practice of naming moons this way doesn’t seem to have been historically universal, and in the centuries since moon names were first recorded by colonists, misinformation has proliferated. For our purposes, we use supposed Algonquian full moon names as a starting point to explore Maryland’s unique wildlife, and how the seasons change! Read more…