Maryland Anglers Can Qualify for New Awards Program

FishMaryland Offers Recognition for Various Skill Levels

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has launched a new award program to celebrate the state’s anglers and the diverse species of fish they catch.

FishMaryland is a multifaceted award program designed to encourage anglers to take advantage of Maryland’s year-round recreational fishing and enjoy the state’s accessible, affordable and high-quality fishing opportunities.
“Our state has a long history of awarding anglers for their catches,” Fishing and Boating Services Director David Blazer said. “FishMaryland raises the bar for anglers to demonstrate their skills.”

Anglers can quality for several categories including a species award, a catch and release award, an invasive species award, and multi-species awards. Participants who enter eligible catches will be recognized with a certificate to commemorate their trophy catch.

New to the program are the Milestone Awards, which recognize anglers at various skill levels who catch trophy sized fish of multiple species. 

Eligible catches from different calendar years will count towards each milestone as follows:

Angler Award — Catch three different qualifying species, the angler receives a certificate and corresponding sticker.
Expert Angler Award — Catch five different qualifying species, the angler receives a certificate and corresponding sticker.
Master Angler Award – Catch ten different qualifying species, the angler receives a certificate and corresponding sticker.

Fishing licenses are available for purchase online.