Natural Resources News
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Confirms 52 Deer With Chronic Wasting Disease
The state’s chronic wasting disease management area has expanded to include two additional counties
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported today that 52 white-tailed deer sampled within Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties in 2023 tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease found in deer, elk, and moose.
Of the positive samples, 49 came from within the existing chronic wasting disease management area (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties), while one positive sample came from Baltimore County and two positive samples came from Montgomery County. Read more…
Maryland DNR Biologists Monitor a Critical Year of Striped Bass Eggs, Larvae
An iconic fish begins its life cycle
Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologists Marisa Ponte, Jim Uphoff, and Shannon Moorhead traverse the quiet Choptank River that bisects Maryland’s Eastern Shore, casting out a net to collect samples of striped bass eggs and larvae. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland DNR.
Laughing gulls circled and cawed in anticipation. An osprey hauled an improbably large branch through bright green treetops. It was Earth Day, April 22, and the living things on the Choptank River marked the occasion by going on as usual.
But below the water’s surface, a process was underway that repeats every year in the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay, a modest beginning to a mythic Mid-Atlantic cycle, one that powers fisheries and attracts recreational anglers up and down the coast. Another generation of striped bass had come into the world. Read more…
One Month Later: Natural Resources Police Played Important Role in Key Bridge Incident Response
NRP patrol vessels establish a 2,000-yard safety zone around the wreckage of the Key Bridge. Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has been an integral part of the multi-agency response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was struck by a container ship on March 26.
During the initial response, NRP officers assisted with above- and below-water search and recovery operations, aerial reconnaissance, and safety zone enforcement. Now one month removed from the disaster, NRP officers continue extended patrol of the safety zone, monitor traffic in temporary channels, and assist with transporting political officials and members of joint allied agencies to the scene.
As one of the first responding marine agencies on the scene, NRP officers arrived at the Key Bridge at 2:30 a.m. – shortly after the collapse – and began searching the surface of the Patapsco River for potential survivors. Within hours, NRP officers had eight boats from four surrounding counties at the scene.
Maryland Fishing Report – May 1
Ivanna Harshman holds up a large bluefish caught near Ocean City. Photo by Mary Harshman
As we celebrate the beginning of May, balmy weather makes for comfortable fishing from the mountains of western Maryland to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Summer migrant species are showing up in the Ocean City area; among the arrivals is the spring migration of bluefish.
Board of Public Works Approves $12.9 Million for Recreation and Land Preservation
Funding includes recreational facilities in Anne Arundel, Montgomery counties
Nanticoke Rural Legacy Area in Dorchester County, Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items including more than $12.9 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to preserve and protect land, and provide recreational opportunities for Marylanders. Read more…
21-Year-Old Angler Earns FishMaryland Master Angler Award
Adam Krauss of Baltimore County holds a northern snakehead. Photo courtesy of Adam Krauss.
Adam Krauss of Baltimore County has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) FishMaryland program.
The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten different trophy-sized species of fish in Maryland. Krauss, 21, is the ninth Master Angler since the program began in 2019. Read more…
La Policía de Recursos Naturales de Maryland Organiza el 5 de Mayo un Curso de Seguridad para Embarcaciones en Español
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
La Unidad de Educación y Divulgación de Seguridad de la Policía de Recursos Naturales de Maryland organiza su evento comunitario inaugural de seguridad náutica en español desde las 8 de la mañana hasta el mediodía del domingo 5 de mayo en el Parque Estatal Sandy Point de Annapolis. Read more…
Keep Maryland’s Wildlife Wild and Safe: Handling Fawns is Dangerous and Illegal
Photo by by Lori Crisler, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautions anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it and resist the urge to feed or handle it. Removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is against the law in Maryland to protect animal welfare and ensure public safety.
Deer are born with specialized adaptations, which have helped their species survive for ages. Born in spring, fawns instinctively lie motionless when approached by potential predators, relying on their adaptations to help them hide. Their virtual lack of odor, natural camouflage (spots), and freezing behavior help them avoid danger. These adaptations serve them well, as evidenced by the abundance of deer across Maryland’s varied landscapes.
Despite this effective strategy, inquisitive fawns will sometimes explore new surroundings and may appear to be lost or orphaned. There is usually no need for human intervention since in most cases, the doe is nearby foraging and will return to nurse the fawn when it is safe. Read more…
Public Comment Sought for 2025 Maryland State Forest Work Plans
Photo by Scott Campbell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2025 annual work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The comment period concludes Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Annual work plans help the department identify priorities within the scope of the forests’ long-range management. They address composition, establishment, growth, health, and quality along with construction and maintenance projects. Read more…
At Maryland’s State Nursery, Staff Grow Trees by the Millions
The trees planted at the Ayton State Tree Nursery go to reclaimed forests, restoration projects, and anyone who orders a bundle of 25 or more
The state tree nursery in Caroline County. Photo by Steve Badger/DNR
At the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery, little green saplings progressed down rows of conveyor belts.
On both sides of the line, workers sifted through bread trays stacked with young trees, bundling them and placing them on the belt. At the end of the row, a worker lifted the clump from the creaking machinery and whacked it with a machete to prune off excess roots. Then they bagged the bundle and marked it off: “1,000 loblolly.”
This is just a small step in the production process at the state nursery, part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Service, which oversees trees from seed to sapling, planting them, growing them, and then shipping them out. Every year, the nursery produces millions of trees. The team there is filling orders for 2.75 million trees this year.
DNR Biologists’ Study: Older, Larger Female Striped Bass Produce Far More Eggs
A new study looks at the age at which female striped bass mature and how many eggs they produce as they age
Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists survey for striped bass in 2018. Photo by Stephen Badger, Maryland DNR.
Two of the most important traits to understand fish population growth are the age at which females mature and their fecundity, or how many eggs they can produce at each age on average.
A new study from biologists in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has helped to update information on those factors in striped bass, making available current biological information about the population for use in the stock assessment model, which estimates the numbers and biomass of mature females in the Atlantic coast striped bass stock.
The study, published in Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science in February, determined that half of females reach sexual maturity between ages 5 and 6, and larger, older females produce more eggs per kilogram body mass than smaller, younger females.
Maryland Fishing Report – April 24
Zach Bennett caught this northern snakehead in the Patapsco River. Photo courtesy of Zach Bennett
The weather forecast for the next week promises mild and sunny conditions, perfect for venturing into the outdoors for fishing with family and friends. Trout continue to be stocked each week in the put-and-take trout waters, and a wide variety of fish are active, including the northern snakehead.
Maryland’s Striped Bass Emergency Closure Continues into May
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that Maryland’s striped bass fishing closure began on April 1 and runs until May 15, 2024 in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Emergency regulations, enacted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and approved by Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review, were put in place to try to better protect large migratory striped bass after several years of below average spawning success.
The regulations effectively close Maryland’s “trophy” season during which striped bass longer than 35 inches have been harvested in Chesapeake Bay waters.
As in past years, targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries has been prohibited throughout April. Catch and release is prohibited and anyone who accidentally catches a striped bass must release it into the water immediately. Emergency regulations have extended the closure – which prohibits all targeting – an additional two weeks, to May 15. This violation is punishable by fines up to $1,000 for the first offense, and up to one year in jail and/or a $2,000 maximum fine for second offenses.
Given the changes, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) encourages the public to familiarize themselves with the new regulations. NRP plans on regular enforcement patrols to identify striped bass targeting and out-of-season takes. Read more…
‘Women on the Water’ Fishing and Boating Workshop Offered May 9
Photo by by Marilyn Stone submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting “Women on the Water,” a free introductory workshop on boating and fishing for women and girls aged 12 and older, at Seneca Creek State Park on May 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
New or returning boaters and anglers can receive Information about boating education and opportunities, followed by fishing instruction. Department staff will provide fishing gear for use and teach the basics of fish identification, rigging a rod, and casting techniques. Read more…
Governor Moore Celebrates Earth Day, Signs Executive Order Creating the Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership
Governor Moore signs the executive order creating the Outdoor Learning Partnership. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor.
Governor Wes Moore today visited the Maryland Department of the Environment’s headquarters in Baltimore in celebration of Earth Day. During the visit, the governor discussed the agency’s work to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and promote environmental stewardship. Governor Moore also participated in a ceremonial tree planting and signed an executive order establishing the Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership—a new group of state agencies, educators, and nonprofits tasked with ensuring Maryland students have meaningful access to outdoor education about the environment, climate, and the natural world. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 17
Tim Wills was out on the Bay recently fishing for blue catfish with his friends and enjoyed a great day on the water together. Photo by Bob Neighoff
We are in store for some nice weather this week, so be sure to get outdoors and enjoy some of the many fishing opportunities in Maryland. Trout fishing is bolstered with continuing stockings, other freshwater species are active, and blue catfish can be found in every tidal water of the Chesapeake Bay.
Orlando D. Lilly Sworn In As New Superintendent of Natural Resources Police
Col. Orlando Lilly is pinned by his son, wearing his Natural Resources Police badge for the first time at his swearing in ceremony. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) formally welcomed Orlando D. Lilly as the 11th Superintendent of the Maryland Natural Resources Police on Wednesday. The former Baltimore County Police Major and Navy veteran was sworn in at DNR headquarters in Annapolis. Lilly assumes the rank of Colonel. Read more…
Board of Public Works Approves $14.8 Million to Preserve Outdoor Space for Marylanders
Program Open Space, Rural Legacy among programs funded
Oregon Ridge Park in Baltimore County will receive funds for new trails. Photo by Brittini Adams, submitted to the 2018 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items including more than $14.8 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to preserve and protect land, and provide recreation opportunities for Marylanders. Read more…
Maryland Forest Service Names 2024 Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners
Comptroller Brooke Lierman joins DNR as guest judge
This illustration by Edison Lee of Rockford Elementary School in Elkridge, Howard County won first place in the 2024 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest.
The top three prizes have been awarded for the 2024 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day poster contest, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz and staff to review submissions and award three Maryland schools with tree plantings this spring.
Edison Lee of Rockburn Elementary School in Elkridge, Howard County won first place and the school will receive 15 trees for planting. Second place, with a prize of 10 trees, was awarded to Riya Dholakia of Emmorton Elementary School in Bel Air, Harford County. Grace Birch of Chesapeake Public Charter School in Lexington Park, St. Mary’s County won third place and a prize of five trees. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 10
Joey Davis caught this white catfish – qualifying him for a FishMaryland award certificate – in an upper Bay tidal river. Photo by Lora Davis
Maryland anglers are taking advantage of pleasant weather to fish for a variety of species this week. Trout, largemouth bass, and blue catfish are at the top of the list, but fun fishing is where you find it.
Secretary’s Message: Welcoming Back our Birds, Bees… and Bears!
Welcoming Back our Birds, Bees… and Bears!
During bear den visits, DNR staff hold cubs to keep them warm while biologists and veterinarians tag and evaluate the sow. Photo by AJ Metcalf, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
We are surrounded by the sights and sounds of wildlife emerging at the beginning of spring. It’s the time of the year when we hear more birds singing in the budding trees and animals becoming more active. But perhaps the biggest sign of spring, lumbering through many parts of our state, is the black bear.
In many places, black bears have already emerged from winter dens, putting their powerful sense of smell to work in search of easily accessible food sources. Bears are most common in Maryland’s four westernmost counties – Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington, which is known as Maryland’s bear country. However, they can be found anywhere in central and southern Maryland, particularly during spring when young male bears tend to wander into new areas looking for a chance to establish their own territory. These are the bears that often find themselves making news with appearances in suburban neighborhoods, mall parking lots, and even urban centers like Washington, D.C. Read more…
Federal Funds Available for Outdoor Recreation Space in Maryland Communities
Land and Water Conservation Fund provides up to $1.5 Million for qualifying projects
The Maryland Department of the Natural Resources is now accepting preliminary applications for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. Through this program, local governments with qualifying projects may apply for $50,000 to $1.5 million to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and create connections between people and the outdoors.
The department is accepting applications through June 28, 2024. Potential applicants are invited to a webinar at noon on April 23 to learn more about the process. Additional details and application information are available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund webpage.
DNR will review preliminary applications and invite the highest scoring applicants to create a final application package to be submitted to the National Park Service.
Municipalities and counties that qualify can then apply for up to 50% matching fund assistance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Local matching funds can include money received from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources through the Program Open Space – Local or Community Parks and Playgrounds programs.
Interested jurisdictions should complete and submit project documentation to Molly Pickel at [email protected].
Black Bears Emerging from Winter Dens, Looking for Food
Marylanders Urged to Keep Bears Wild
Photo by Nathaniel Peck submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
As spring gets underway in western and central Maryland, black bears have already vacated their dens and started exploring the areas around them. After months of not eating or drinking, bears are hungry and in search of easy food. Black bears rely on their powerful sense of smell to locate food and are attracted to anything that resembles the scent of food, like birdseed, chicken feed, dog food and even trash. Read more…
Join the Hunt: How to Catch a Blue Catfish in Maryland
Angler Melissa Blair caught a 32-inch blue catfish at Kent Narrows Bridge in April 2021. Photo by Tristan Bapst
The bad news: Blue catfish can be easily found in a majority of Maryland’s rivers, both tidal and non-tidal and out in the Bay itself, and they eat almost anything.
The good news: Blue catfish can be easily found in a majority of Maryland’s rivers, both tidal and non-tidal and in the Bay itself, and they eat almost anything.
For anglers, blue catfish have become an attractive target because they are challenging to catch, but not elusive. They can be fished with light tackle from shore or on a boat. They can be found easily and are attracted to a variety of bait. Read more…
Maryland’s Spring Turkey Season Set to Open
Junior Hunt begins April 13; regular season starts April 18
Photo by Leonardo Pecora, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the statewide spring wild turkey season will kick off April 13 with Junior Turkey Hunt Day. All hunters can hunt during the regular spring turkey season, which begins April 18 and continues through May 23. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Honors Officers at Annual Awards Ceremony
Officers were awarded for lifesaving action, exceptional conservation enforcement, and more
Officer Albert Leavell (center) is presented the 2023 Natural Resources Police Officer of the Year Award. Also pictured are Acting Lt. Col. Brian Rathgeb (left) and Sec. Josh Kurtz (right). Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual award ceremony to recognize the achievements made by conservation law enforcement officers and civilians in 2023. The officers were presented honors by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Sec. Josh Kurtz and Natural Resources Police Acting Lt. Col. Brian Rathgeb. The annual event was held April 3 at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills.
“The Department of Natural Resources is proud to recognize the dedicated men and women of the Natural Resources Police who passionately protect and serve our state,” said Sec. Kurtz. “Our officers maintain the highest level of professional standards, integrity, and conduct, and it’s important to recognize those who go above and beyond.”
DNR Accepting Applications for Marina Pumpout Grants through April 15
Photo by Susan Hale, submitted to the 2019 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting applications from marinas for grants to support the operations and maintenance of marine sewage pumpout stations. Interested marinas can find the application form online. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2024.
Marinas in need of a new or replacement pumpout system can apply for a separate grant throughout the year. Details are also found on the department’s website.
The Marine Sewage Pumpout Grant program aims to assist marinas in providing reliable pumpout services to local boaters. These pumpout stations offer boaters a proper and legally compliant method of disposing of their sewage, helping to prevent contamination of Maryland’s waters. The department actively supports the installation and operation of these stations as part of an overarching strategy to reduce nutrient levels in the Chesapeake Bay. Read more…
What Anglers Can Do After Harvesting An Invasive Fish Species Such As Blue Catfish or Northern Snakehead
Anglers who catch invasive species in Maryland waters have multiple options to make use of the fish
Catch and release of blue catfish, flathead catfish, and northern snakehead is discouraged as they are harmful to native species. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Invasive species can have detrimental effects on ecologically and economically important native species. Once invasive species establish themselves in an ecosystem, they can reproduce in such numbers that it becomes hugely expensive, or even impossible, to eradicate all of them. For that reason, habitat and wildlife managers aim to minimize the harm caused by invasive species by reducing populations or containing them in a specific area.
Offshore Hunting Blind and Shoreline Licensing for Riparian Landowners is Now Open for 2024 Season
Applications Must Be Postmarked by May 31, 2024
Photo courtesy of Jake McPherson, Ducks Unlimited
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service is now accepting waterfowl offshore blind and shoreline license applications for waterfront, or riparian, property owners.
Landowners, or anyone who has been granted permission from the riparian property owner, may license their shoreline. An offshore blind and shoreline license will establish offshore stationary blinds or blind sites for hunting waterfowl, and/or will prevent others from licensing and hunting the shoreline at a later date.
Applicants must submit paperwork and fees by mail, postmarked no later than May 31, 2024. Property owners may license their shoreline for one year at $20 or three years at $60. Landowners who miss the May 31 deadline may participate in the “open” licensing process that begins August 6, 2024. Read more…
Blue Catfish Are Spreading Rapidly in Maryland Waters, as State Officials and the Fishing Community Work To Contain the Invasive Species
The invasive species is quickly becoming abundant in Maryland rivers
Blue catfish are big, fast predators that spread quickly and can tolerate salinity. Now in all Maryland’s major rivers, blue cats are preying on and outcompeting native fish. Photo by Winn Brewer, DNR
The first catch of the afternoon was a white catfish—saved by its wider head and a few less anal fin rays, and tossed back into the water.
The blue catfish came next—two in quick succession. “It only takes a few minutes for them to start biting,” said Capt. Marcus Wilson, whose Rock-N-Robin Charter Fishing, operated together with Capt. Robin Payne, runs blue catfishing trips on the Potomac River several months of the year.
It ended up being a slower day for the charter boat, but they often catch 50 blue catfish at a go. And with no catch limits, customers end up bringing home a lot of fish.
Anglers across the state are seeing more and more blue catfish, an invasive species that only reached Maryland waters in the 1990s and 2000s. Eric Packard, a recreational fisherman and a member of Maryland’s Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, described it as “bizarre” how many blue catfish you can catch. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 3
Matt Ferenschak took his son and his son’s friend trout fishing and although the boys both caught their limits, dad had to show them how it’s done with his trophy-sized rainbow trout. Photo by Tyler Ferenschak.
Trout anglers enjoyed their traditional opening day last Saturday and the fun fishing will continue for the next few months, as stocking crews release more trout into Maryland’s put-and-take waters.
Forest Service Prepares for a Surge of Spring Tree Plantings as It Celebrates Maryland Arbor Day
The Board of Public Works celebrates Maryland Arbor Day, April 3, 2023. From left to right: Maryland Forest Service Associate Director J.T. Bowers; Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Forest Service Director Anne Hairston Strang. Photo by Kamil Williams, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April 3, 2024 as the 141th annual Maryland Arbor Day celebration. Following tradition, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz presented tree seedlings to the members of the Board of Public Works at their meeting, chaired today by Lt. Governor Aruna Miller.
“One of the most important things about Arbor Day is people coming together to plant trees,” Secretary Kurtz said. “Thank you for your recognition and support of Arbor Day.”
The celebration comes as the Maryland Forest Service is preparing to ramp up tree plantings for the spring, marking the start of another amplified planting season of Maryland’s 5 Million Trees initiative.
The initiative, which has nearly surpassed half a million trees, has a goal of planting 5 million native trees on Maryland’s public and private land by 2031. The Maryland Forest Service is making preparations for a spring of even greater productivity, with about 100,000 trees scheduled to be planted in partnership with the Maryland Park Service alone and many other sites identified for plantings. Read more…
Allegany County Angler Catches Maryland State Record Fallfish
Record 3.2-pound fish reeled in from upper Potomac River
Blake Cronk with his Maryland state record fallfish, photo courtesy of Blake Cronk.
Blake Cronk, of Westernport, has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a new state record holder for fallfish – Semotilus corporalis — in the state’s nontidal division.
Cronk caught the 3.2-pound fish on April 1 while fishing in the North Branch of the Potomac River, below the Piedmont Bridge in the Westernport area. He was fishing with worms and spinners in an area where he had caught several good-sized trout, and is also known to have frequent occurrences of large fallfish. Read more…
Shrinkwrap Recycling Program Expands for Boaters in Select Maryland Counties
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Clean Marina Initiative and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland are expanding their shrinkwrap recycling program directly to boaters in Queen Anne’s and Anne Arundel counties. This expansion will allow boaters who keep their boats at home in these counties to join the recycling effort . Previously, shrinkwrap recycling efforts were only targeted to boatyards and marinas, which continue to participate in the program. Read more…
Eighth Angler Earns FishMaryland Master Angler Award
Jason Michalski of Cecil County recognized as a Master Angler
Photo courtesy of Jason Michalski.
Jason Michalski of Rising Sun, Cecil County, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.
The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten different trophy-sized species of fish in Maryland. Michalski is the eighth Master Angler since the program began in 2019.
The FishMaryland program includes dozens of species from both salt and freshwater. Michalski submitted entries for all ten catches and received individual certificates for each catch. The department plans to present the Master Angler Milestone Award certificate along with a gift card prize from Bass Pro Shops at its Arundel Mills store. Michalski caught his tenth FishMaryland eligible fish, a 30.25-inch carp, on Sunday, March 24. Read more…
The Maryland Blue Catfish State Record Has Stood for 12 Years. Can It Be Broken?
Ed Jones, right, poses with his son, a friend, and a charter guide while holding the Maryland state record blue catfish in 2012.
The invasive fish has spread throughout Maryland in recent years, but the record held by an Oregon man still stands
Ed Jones, an Oregon resident, said he’ll never forget the day he caught the Maryland state record blue catfish. It was also the day he lost his phone.
“I can remember it as vividly as the day is long,” Jones said in March while recounting the fateful August 2012 catch. “I hooked him, was reeling him in, and as soon as we got him near the boat, I had my cell phone in my shirt pocket, leaned over the boat, and plunk. It fell right into the river. I had all these pictures [on the phone] and I lost them in the river.”
However, he still has at least one picture from that day. It’s a picture of him, his son, and others holding up the giant blue catfish he caught. That fish, at 84.0 pounds, still holds the Maryland blue catfish state record to this day.
Maryland Fishing Report – March 27
Luke Bradford’s smile says it all about his first youth trout fishing day. Photo by Jason Bradford
Many parents, mentors, and young anglers braved the cold rain for Maryland’s first youth trout fishing day. Our young anglers, despite cold fingers and wet weather, had a great time, and it is sure to be a day everyone involved will long remember.
You can check out our online collection of photos of smiling young anglers on Youth Trout Fishing Day.
On Saturday, March 30, the fun and excitement starts all over again with Maryland’s traditional opening day of trout season. Anglers young and old will be fishing for put and take waters generously stocked with trout by the trout hatchery program and biologists. Fishing starts at 6:30 a.m.
NRP Reminds Maryland’s Recreational Crabbers to Comply with Conservation Laws
Crab traps with turtle excluders attached are available at many retailers. Maryland DNR photo.
Maryland’s blue crab season officially opens April 1 in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries and the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays. With the opening of a new season comes an increased presence by Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers to educate the public and enforce laws pertaining to crabbing, particularly with recreational crabbers and owners of private shorelines. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – March 20, 2023
Lindsey Straiton may need a larger kayak if she keeps catching blue catfish this large. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Straiton
Anglers have a lot of fishing opportunities to look forward to this week. For our trout anglers under the age of 16, Maryland’s first youth-only trout fishing day occurs this Saturday, March 23. Anglers are still catching white perch in the upper sections of spawning rivers, and largemouth bass, crappie, and blue catfish are providing good fishing.
2024 Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Total $236,276
Grants Supports Communities, Land Trusts, and Nonprofits
Living Classrooms at Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center in Baltimore received a Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant in 2023. Photo Courtesy of Living Classrooms Foundation.
Maryland Environmental Trust has approved 18 grants totaling $236,276 to be awarded for environmental education, community cleanup, and beautification projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program.
Grants through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program are awarded to volunteer-based and nonprofit groups, communities, schools, and land trusts in Maryland. The grants are designed to support environmental education projects, litter removal, community stewardship, and to help protect natural resources in urban and rural areas.
Presented annually since 1986, the grant program is managed by the Maryland Environmental Trust – a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources – and administered on the department’s behalf by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Maryland Environmental Trust’s Board of Trustees voted to approve the grants after staff completed the application and review process.
The grants are funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Read more…
Port of Chestertown Earns Maryland Clean Marina Status
Port of Chestertown Marina, photo courtesy of Town of Chestertown.
The Port of Chestertown Marina recently passed inspection by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and will earn the Maryland Clean Marina Award. This award brings Maryland’s total number of Clean Marinas and Clean Marina Partners to 147 – about 30 percent of the marinas in Maryland. In Kent County, 22 percent of the estimated 31 marinas are certified as Clean Marinas. Read more…
Maryland Youth Fishing Rodeo Schedule Set for 2024 Season
Dozens of events offer safe and free fishing for children and teens
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages youths ages 3 to 15 to try their hand at fishing or hone their angling skills at any of Maryland’s 50 youth fishing rodeos spread out across the state this year.
The department is working with dozens of organizations in 14 counties to offer free and engaging fishing opportunities for thousands of youth. Many events are held in Maryland State Parks and other public lands. Read more…
Seventh Angler Earns FishMaryland Master Angler Award
Zeljko Koretic of Baltimore County recognized as a Master Angler
Zeljko “Zee” Koretic holds up a summer flounder he caught in August 2023, one of the ten species that count toward his Master Angler status. Photo courtesy of Zeljko Koretic.
Zeljko Koretic of Middle River, Baltimore County, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.
The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten different species of fish in Maryland at trophy-size length. Koretic is the seventh Master Angler since the program began in 2019.
The FishMaryland program covers dozens of species from both salt and freshwater. All ten catches that earned Koretc the Master Angler award are listed below and on individual certificates sent to the angler. DNR will present the Master Angler award certificate and a gift card prize at Bass Pro Shops in Arundel Mills. Koretic caught his tenth FishMaryland eligible fish, a 15.5-inch crappie, while on a carp fishing trip on the Gunpowder River on March 8, 2024. Read more…
Cunningham Falls State Park to Close Campground and Water Access During Sewer Line Upgrade
Photo by Ranger Mark Spurrier/Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
A sewer line renovation and replacement project along Maryland Route 77 will require the temporary closure of some activities in the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont starting in April and extending into the summer months.
The project, spearheaded by Maryland Environmental Service with cooperation from the Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maryland Park Service, includes the excavation and replacement of aging underground sewer lines that provide service to the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park. Read more…
Maryland Conservation Corps Members Kick off AmeriCorps Week With Invasive Plant Removal Project
The Conservation Corps is a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and AmeriCorps
Maryland Conservation Corps members pose with state and AmeriCorps officials in front of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at Sandy Point State Park. Photo by Joe Zimmermann/Maryland DNR
Maryland Conservation Corps members gathered at Sandy Point State Park on Tuesday to share stories about why they felt called to serve and what they’ve learned from their work, before setting out for a day of cutting back invasive plants.
As part of AmeriCorps Week, the event brought representatives from AmeriCorps and Maryland state agencies to the Chesapeake Bay-front park in Annapolis to celebrate the ongoing achievements of the Maryland Conservation Corps. A partnership between AmeriCorps and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Corps places about 40 members across eight state parks every year.
At the event, the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation presented AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith with a proclamation from Gov. Wes Moore declaring this week as AmeriCorps Week in Maryland, noting how the service work through the program strengthens members, communities, and the state as a whole. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – March 13
Angler Talan Scott Vrablic holds a chain pickerel. Photo by Raymond Vrablic III
As we inch closer to spring, anglers are enjoying fishing for a variety of species this week. The white perch spawning runs are in high gear, the preseason stocking of trout is taking place, blue catfish are abundant, and our resident species such as the beautiful chain pickerel are providing plenty of fun fishing opportunities.
Catch and release opportunities for striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay begin below the Brewerton Channel and extend south to the Virginia Line. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources website includes maps and information on areas open to catch and release until March 31. All catch and release of striped bass will be prohibited from April 1 until May 15.
Maryland Accepts Donation of Holly Beach Farm – A Unique Chesapeake Bay Property in Anne Arundel County
Governor Wes Moore joined Secretary Josh Kurtz and staff at Holly Beach Farm in February. Photo by Patrick Siebert, Office of the Governor.
The Board of Public Works today approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources accepting the donation of Holly Beach Farm, a 293-acre waterfront property in Anne Arundel County, from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“This is a remarkable opportunity for all Marylanders to experience the Chesapeake Bay,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “I offer my thanks to the many partners who helped make today’s transfer happen, including our friends at the National Park Service, the Conservation Fund, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Mrs. Leonie Gately, who had the vision to protect this land for the future. I am looking forward to visiting again soon to see the great work our Department of Natural Resources’ team does to prepare this property for the future.”
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Controlled Burn Planned for Warrior Mountain Wildlife Management Area in March
Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a controlled burn on Warrior Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Allegany County between March 14 and March 29 as weather and other conditions allow. Smoke will be visible in the area north of Oldtown, and residents and visitors should be aware that this is not a wildfire.
Access to the wildlife management area at Ruby Road will be limited during the burn due to potential low visibility due to smoke, but will reopen as soon as the burn is completed.
The fire will be a low controlled flame targeting underbrush and ground cover debris. The purpose of the burn is to improve habitat for wildlife and to restore stands of pitch pine and improve oak regeneration. Read more…
Maryland Catfish Tournaments Offer Invasive Species Angling
Blue catfish caught at the 2022 Sharptown Catfish Tournament on the Nanticoke River and Marshyhope Creek. Photo by Stephen Badger, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
With record catches around the country tipping the scales at more than a hundred pounds, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) have become quite the draw for anglers in the Chesapeake Bay. Introduced in the 1970s as a recreational fishing target species in Virginia, invasive blue catfish populations have grown rapidly in Maryland waters.
As commercial harvests of blue catfish have risen exponentially, recreational fishing for the species is becoming more popular as a way to enjoy a day angling as well as bring plenty of fish home for dinner. Commercial landings of blue catfish have grown from 609,525 pounds in 2013 to 4.2 million pounds in 2023, more than a 500% increase in the past decade. The fish is increasingly showing up on menus and in grocery stores, helping it to become more appealing as table fare. Read more…
Muskrat Trapping Season Extended to March 22 in Select Maryland Counties
Muskrat, photo by Nathaniel Peck, submitted to Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has added a one-week extension to the muskrat trapping season in all counties except Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and Washington counties. The revised season will now close March 22, 2024 to make up for unfavorable weather conditions.
A series of unusually high tides have limited trapper access to many waterways and wetlands, reducing the ability and opportunity to harvest this valuable furbearer. Read more…