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Despite the strong autumn winds we’ve been experiencing lately, anglers can find a lee shore or perhaps a tucked away quiet piece of water to enjoy fishing and the fall foliage. This is a wonderful month to enjoy the outdoors, so don’t miss it. The 2025 striped bass young of the year survey results have Read the Rest…
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Greenspace Equity, Rural Legacy, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Permanent Easement programs The Board of Public Works today approved more than $3.8 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for outdoor recreational improvements and land conservation in Read the Rest…
By Sadie Rozics When choosing my undergraduate thesis project at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, I knew I wanted to collaborate with an organization in my home state of Maryland so that my work could be mutually beneficial and hands-on, giving back to my community. After connecting with Natural Heritage Program staff, we collaborated Read the Rest…
Randall Cleaver first reached out to Wild Acres in October of 2023; he and wife Ashley Flory just purchased a historic house with a unique backyard in Chestertown, Kent County. He wanted to install a meadow and backyard pond, and he knew that planting native will always mean the hardiest plants and the most wildlife Read the Rest…
By Katy Gorsuch In the ongoing human quest to connect to the land and to ourselves, many of us turn to food gardening. Getting your hands dirty as a way to figuratively and literally “touch grass” is as old as humanity itself, but what can you do to help our native wildlife at the Read the Rest…
Maryland’s outdoor recreation opportunities are vast and diverse – biking, hiking, climbing, swimming, boating – too many pursuits to list! Most of these pastimes require a certain degree of athleticism or at least ample mobility to enjoy. And the rewards of deep treks into the woods or paddling into remote marshes include some spectacular wildlife Read the Rest…
As we hit mid-October, our foresters are reporting past-peak conditions at high elevations, while farther east leaves are still only starting to change. Garrett County is experiencing peak foliage this week, with brilliant yellow leaves on shagbark and pignut hickory trees.
Fair skies abound this week as the recent Nor’easter is just a memory. There is plenty of good fishing to be found this week as mild temperatures and sunny weather have moved in across the state.
Slight improvement documented, but spawning success is still below average The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2025 juvenile striped bass survey recorded a young-of-year index of 4.0. This is an improvement over recent years, but still well below the long-term survey average of 11. This marks the seventh consecutive year of low spawning success Read the Rest…
James L. Frazetti Jr. landed a record-setting fish one day and caught his 10th award-eligible fish the next The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized James L. Frazetti Jr. of Crownsville with a state record for a 7-pound, 8-ounce pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis) and also as recipient of a FishMaryland Master Angler Award. Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting grant proposals for the FY 2027 Greenspace Equity Program, which provides funding to land trusts, nongovernmental organizations, and local governments to acquire and/or develop public greenspaces in overburdened and underserved communities. The goal of the Greenspace Equity Program is to preserve, create, and improve public Read the Rest…
A field of quartzite boulders extends along South Mountain, the surface sun-baked and lichen-coated, but beneath, Maryland’s tiniest, rarest bats may be roosting in the dark hollows and cracks between rocks, each crevice a potential tiny shelter. As bats emerge from the rocks at night to feast on insects, biologists are filling up their plate Read the Rest…
Red maple at Anne Arundel Community College. Photo by Gabriel Diggs This fall, the trees are challenging our “just changing-to-midpoint-to-peak” foliage scale. In Garrett County, foresters report that about a quarter of trees are now bare, and those that still have leaves are everything from green to burgundy and gold. Continued change along the Catoctin Read the Rest…
October presents a wonderful opportunity to spend some time fishing in the comfort of mild temperatures and the beautiful settings of fall foliage and peaceful waters.
Federal government shutdown could impact Agreement’s finalization Last week, Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff joined representatives from other jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to recommend proposed changes to the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement based on the public feedback we received this year. The updates to this important agreement took place at the Read the Rest…
A secret to restoring the Chesapeake Bay is just waiting to be unearthed. In the maritime state of Maryland, dredging is done routinely to keep waterways navigable by removing shoals and making sure channels are deep enough for boats to pass. But the materials removed from the waterways — sediment, sand, mud — have to Read the Rest…
University of Maryland projects highlight adaptive management to sea-level rise and other changes You’re on a walkway in a park. You can see trees, a road, a marsh and a coastline against a vibrant blue sky all around you. Then, you hear the toll of a bell. The marsh expands, the water edges up the Read the Rest…
The 78-pound fish was landed off Ocean City The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized Marc Spagnola of Berlin, Worcester County, as the new state record holder for longfin albacore (Thunnus alalunga) for the Atlantic Division. Spagnola’s 78-pound catch surpasses the previous record set in 2004 by four pounds. Spagnola was fishing out Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other small game seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. Some of these species offer generous seasons and bag limits and are abundant throughout Maryland.
In most of Maryland leaves are just changing or green. Rain has slowed down some of the early foliage change taking place in Western Maryland, and foresters are hopeful that September showers will bring some October vibrancy. The Eastern Shore is starting to have a few pops of color in the understory triggered in part Read the Rest…
Hunters can apply for blind sites at Deep Creek and Broadford lakes The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering waterfowl hunting opportunities in late fall and winter on Deep Creek Lake and Broadford Lake in Garrett County, Maryland. This regulated hunt is open for all legal waterfowl species in accordance with Maryland hunting regulations and is an important Read the Rest…
It is always fun for anglers to strike out on a new fishing adventure. Venturing to an unexplored body of water or looking for a different species than usual can add a little spice to your fishing experience.
Governor Wes Moore has commissioned Solomons resident and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Professor Thomas Miller as the 111th Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay. The Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay is a lifetime achievement award bestowed upon individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Read the Rest…
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local and Community Parks and Playgrounds The Board of Public Works today approved nearly $4.2 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for recreational facilities in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Garrett, Howard, Kent, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties.
Deer mating season is right around the corner, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds motorists to be vigilant. The shortening of daylight hours, called the photo period, triggers white-tailed deer breeding season. During this time, deer travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day and night in search of a mate. Read the Rest…
The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season will be open Oct. 16-18 statewide. Hunters in Region B — the state’s central, southern, and eastern regions — can also use muzzleloaders from Oct. 20-25 for antlerless deer only.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin its annual fall trout stocking program the first full week in October. The program will bring thousands of hatchery-raised rainbow, brown, and golden rainbow trout to streams and impoundments across the state. This initiative provides recreational fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that black bears are beginning a period of increased feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation. As the leaves change and the weather cools, bears will travel across roads more frequently. They also can become more attracted to human-provided food sources and lose their natural fear of people, which can Read the Rest…
Foresters and rangers around Maryland continue to report muted leaf colors as Maryland’s foliage rapidly changes colors and falls. This week’s rain, while welcome, caused some early changing trees to drop their leaves. Black gum and black walnut are turning early, with yellow and brown colors. In some areas, the rain has slowed the browning Read the Rest…
Walking the sandy shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay can be a tranquil and rewarding experience for lovers of Maryland’s outdoors. Some beachcombers pursue sea glass and shells, while some have been lucky enough to find prehistoric fossils including shark teeth and ancient artifacts such as arrowheads.
Anglers are finding many of our fisheries in a transition from warmer summer to cooler fall temperatures, and fish are feeding aggressively.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting bids for the 2025-2026 trapping season at several Wildlife Management Areas and other public lands. Deadlines for submitting bid packages are in October. The individual with the highest bid for each area will be awarded annual trapping privileges.
Essex staff will be relocated to more frequently used service centers, which will expand operations The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be closing its Essex Licensing and Registration Service Center, located inside the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s building on Eastern Boulevard. The Essex Regional Service Center will be open for appointments through Oct. Read the Rest…
A Pennsylvania man has been charged in connection with a fatal utility task vehicle (UTV) incident that occurred on Deep Creek Lake earlier this year.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will distribute more than $12 million in grant funding from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for state and local projects to enhance outdoor recreation. Funds will be used for acquisition of new park land, renovation of existing facilities, and the development of new amenities Read the Rest…
As we approach the official start of fall on Sept. 22, we’re beginning to see changing foliage colors in Maryland. In western Maryland, foresters are reporting a dry summer season has resulted in red maples and sugar maples turning early, with more browns and yellow instead of oranges and reds. Look for leaf changes along Read the Rest…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action related to alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from June through August this year. During those months, individuals were charged for violations including fishing without a license, hunting out of season, weapons charges, oyster and crabbing violations, forestry citations, and other crimes.
We will experience some wet weather for a few days, but the forecast looks good for the weekend. Anglers are enjoying good fishing in all areas of Maryland.
Fan Favorite Winner to Be Chosen on Facebook The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Christopher Michael for his fun photo of a river otter, titled “Waterways Wanderer.” This year’s contest received more than 1,800 photo submissions. The Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Outdoor Recreation is accepting registrations to attend the 2025 Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit, happening October 28-30 in Baltimore City. The summit will feature outdoor excursions, dynamic speakers and sessions, networking, and social events. Maryland hosted its inaugural Outdoor Recreation Summit last October at Rocky Gap State Park, Read the Rest…
The Maryland Environmental Trust in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust are proud to present this year’s Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2025. About $357,000 is available for this year’s grant round. The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program awards Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Maryland Fall Foliage Report for 2025. Fall officially begins on Monday, Sept. 22, but we’re expecting to see color changes in the coming weeks. Our weekly reports featuring observations from Department of Natural Resources’ foresters, naturalists, and rangers throughout the state will be posted every Thursday into November.
September is a remarkable month, with one foot dragging along a little summer weather and yet taking another noticeable step into fall. It is the best of both worlds and fishing could hardly be better.
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local and Rural Legacy programs The Board of Public Works today approved nearly $4.7 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for new playgrounds, sports fields, pickleball courts, and land conservation in Allegany, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Talbot, and Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advises hunters that Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) has been confirmed in Maryland and is the likely cause of death for white-tailed deer reported in numerous counties across the state. This year, confirmed or suspected cases of EHD have been documented in counties in central and southern Maryland. The largest Read the Rest…
Teen angler and shore fishing specialist are Maryland’s 24th and 25th Master Anglers The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Jesse Black of Kingwood, West Virginia, and Canden Michalski of North East for catching 10 different species of fish at trophy size to reach the FishMaryland Master Angler milestone. These awardees bring the total Read the Rest…
Maryland’s September teal-only hunting season will be open from Sept. 18 through Sept. 27 in the September Teal Hunting Zone. Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise until sunset, the daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged), and the possession limit is 18 teal, or three times the daily bag limit. Seasons and Read the Rest…
Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay are in the midst of a comeback. During the past 20 years, the oyster population in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay has tripled, according to this year’s stock assessment conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Maryland’s success Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now taking applications for Greenspace Equity Program Appraisal Funding Grants, which provide money for independent appraisals for acquisitions that may qualify for an FY 2027 Greenspace Equity Program Grant. The goal of the Greenspace Equity Program is to preserve, create, and improve public greenspaces that enhance the Read the Rest…
Labor Day is now to our stern, but there is still plenty of time to take the kids fishing after school and on the weekends to enjoy the marvelous weather.
