Natural Resources News
Native Plant Profile: Maryland Orchids
By Sarah Witcher
Yellow-fringed orchid, photo by Mark Tegges, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Orchids are a plant species that graces many of our living rooms, is gifted frequently for holidays, and is widely displayed in botanical gardens and home improvement stores. Yet, the handful of species readily available for sale pale in comparison to the many tens of thousands of types of this beautiful flowering plant growing across the globe. Family Orchidaceae is the world’s largest flowering plant family, with members in every climate, some having existed for hundreds of millions of years. Maryland is home to more than 50 species of orchid, a fact that even seasoned naturalists may be surprised to learn! Read more…
Free Pumpout Adapter Kits Available to Maryland Boaters and Marinas
Department develops kit to help keep waters clean
Pumpout stations, like this one at Sandy Point State Park, provide boaters a place to cleanly and safely empty their wastewater. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Pumpout Grant Program is offering boat owners and marinas free adapter kits, which department staff developed to help boaters empty holding tanks securely at area pumpout stations.
The kit has a plastic adapter that screws into the existing waste discharge deck fitting on a boat, which is secured by a cam lock found on most pumpout hoses. The free kit also contains instructions, protective gloves, a storage tube, and a QR code to a list of pumpout stations in Maryland.
Maryland residents can request a pumpout adapter kit using an online form. Supplies are limited. Kits are provided with funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Clean Vessel Act Grant funding and the Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund. Read more…
Maryland Venison Donation Grant Program Seeks Partner Organizations
Funds available for processing venison donated to charity
Maryland DNR photo submitted by Gregory Ragan to Wild Maryland cookbook.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for partner organizations for the 2024 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 organizations that 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…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 29
Everleigh Zerance is all smiles with her bluegill. Photo by Kayleigh Zerance
Maryland anglers have a wide choice of fishing adventures this week, whether in the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, or the fresh waters of our western counties. One thing that many recall is the first fish they caught, which for many was the feisty bluegill sunfish.
Maryland offers license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on June 1, June 8, and July 4. These annual events provide anyone a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration. It’s a great opportunity for anglers to introduce someone to fishing.
Tenth FishMaryland Master Angler is First Youth Angler to Achieve Milestone
Lucy Moore, 11, awarded for catching diversity of species
Master Angler Lucy Moore with a bluegill. Photo by Nick Perez
Lucy Moore of Cecil 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. Moore, 11, is the tenth Master Angler since the program began in 2019, the first female angler, and the youngest by a decade. (NOTE: Moore’s surname was previously recorded as Perez, however the family has updated her preferred name.) Read more…
Tuckahoe State Park to Host Celebration of National Trails Day June 1
Park to debut new ‘sensory trail’ designed to enhance access
One of the activities along Tuckahoe State Park’s new sensory trail. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Office of Outdoor Recreation and Tuckahoe State Park invite the public to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1 with a full day of family-friendly programs at the park. Visitors will be invited to take part in activities such as guided walks, prize raffles, a fishing derby, informational displays, archery programs and much more.
The day’s event will kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting for Tuckahoe’s new Lore of the Land: Sensory Trail. This type of trail, planned specifically for people with disabilities and sensory impairments in particular, encourage visitors to use more of their senses, which will benefit all ages and abilities. The easy-to-navigate loop trail provides a series of stations designed to collectively immerse people in a multi-sensory journey. Hikers learn to recognize different sounds, textures and smells along the trail, thereby gaining confidence in their own abilities to interpret the environment at their own pace. Read more…
Marylanders Urged to Follow Safe Boating Practices As Waters Warm, Holiday Weekend Approaches
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers patrol the Severn River. Department of Natural Resources photo.
As Marylanders become much more active on the state’s waterways, Maryland’s Natural Resources Police is reminding waterway users to understand the state’s boating laws and safety requirements. All boaters, paddlers, swimmers, and others should take steps to ensure their safety before heading out on the water.
In 2023, Maryland recorded 123 boating accidents, including 43 with injuries and 11 that were fatal. In four of the past five years, double-digit fatal boating accidents were reported, and more than 90 percent of victims were not wearing a life jacket. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 22, 2024
Matt Ferenschak has a good reason to smile with this whopper of a Chesapeake channa (snakehead) that he caught in the Middle River. Photo courtesy of Matt Ferenschak
With Memorial Day weekend, the traditional beginning of the summer season is upon us. Remember to take a moment to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, including the ability to enjoy the outdoors with families and friends.
Striped bass season opened with a couple good days until some wind and rain put a damper on weekend fishing. With the return of fair weather, anglers are enjoying a chance to land Maryland’s state fish.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges everyone to familiarize themselves with the 2024 striped bass regulations. The DNR website also has a map site link that shows the areas of the Chesapeake Bay where anglers can fish for striped bass as the season progresses. And you can keep up with the latest news and information about striped bass in Maryland.
Maryland offers license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on June 1, June 8, and July 4. These annual events provide anyone a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration. It’s a great opportunity for anglers to introduce someone to fishing.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Reports Results from the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey
Photo by Jennifer Dudley, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), estimates 317 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2024, compared to 323 million crabs last year.
The number of spawning age female crabs decreased from 152 million crabs in 2023 to 133 million crabs in 2024, but is still well above the management threshold of 72.5 million crabs. The threshold indicates whether the female crab population is being overfished or not.
Adult male crabs also experienced a slight decrease from 55 million crabs in 2023 to 46 million crabs in 2024.
The number of juvenile crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has been below average for the past four years, but rose to 138 million juvenile crabs in 2024. Blue crab reproduction is naturally variable and influenced by many factors such as oceanic conditions, available nursery habitat, predation, and other environmental impacts. Read more…
Researchers Prepare for Blue Crab Stock Assessment To Help Guide Future Management
Multi-year analysis to look at questions around juvenile recruitment, environmental factors
Crew on the winter dredge survey boat sort through blue crabs found in the Choptank River. Data from this survey will be included in the stock assessment. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
A team of researchers is preparing for a large-scale analysis of the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay that will help guide future management of the crab fishery and investigate factors that influence the animal’s survival and reproduction.
The stock assessment comes as a response to ongoing questions about the regional population of the iconic crustacean, particularly around the recent juvenile recruitment, or the amount of young crabs in the system. This number has been below average for five consecutive years, including the results of the 2024 blue crab winter dredge survey.
Horseshoe Crabs Begin 2024 Migration onto Maryland Beaches
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Something ancient is making its way onto the shores of Maryland – the annual spawning migration of horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus.
The migration usually takes place from May through July, and its peak culminates with high tides on or around each full and new moon in May and June. Dating back an estimated 350 million years, this yearly event along the Atlantic coast is believed to be the world’s oldest and largest wildlife migration. Read more…
Cunningham Falls State Park Reopening Houck Area Day Use and Campground Ahead of Schedule
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Cunningham Falls State Park will reopen its William Houck Area for day use on Saturday, May 18, as a sewer line replacement project along Route 77 in Frederick County has been completed ahead of schedule. The Houck campground will reopen on May 23.
The project, spearheaded by Maryland Environmental Service with cooperation from the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service, included the installation of 26 manholes and relining of the aging underground sewer lines that provide service to the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 15
Sarah Yow holds up a beautiful speckled trout she caught in Tangier Sound. Photo courtesy of Sarah Yow
There are lots of great fishing opportunities this week, from freshwater to the coastal waters of Ocean City. The first segment of Maryland’s striped bass season starts May 16 in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay below the line from Hart-Miller Island to Tolchester. Summer migrant species including spot, red drum, and speckled trout are arriving in the lower Bay, creating exciting fishing opportunities.
Governor Moore Announces Maryland Meets 30% of State Land Conservation Goal Six Years Ahead of Schedule
The Artmor property in Allegany County was the former site of a plastics manufacturing plant. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources purchased the land to provide an access point to Wills Mountain State Park. Maryland DNR photo.
Governor Wes Moore today announced that Maryland has achieved a milestone goal for land conservation required by state legislation six years ahead of schedule. The Maryland Department of Planning, in the latest update of the Maryland Protected Lands Dashboard, reports that Maryland has already met the 30% mark with more than 1.85 million acres of land conserved as of February.
“From the forests of Mountain Maryland to the coastal plains of the Eastern Shore, Maryland’s natural beauty must be protected. Land conservation isn’t optional—it’s a prerequisite for success,” said Gov. Moore. “By moving in partnership, we are meeting our goals ahead of schedule. But we know there’s more left to do. I will work closely with state and local leaders to find as many opportunities as we can to add to the state’s growing portfolio of public and protected lands, so we can reach our 40% conservation goal by 2040.”
Land conservation means to permanently protect land from development through purchase, donation, easement, or fee ownership to preserve the cultural, historical, ecological, or agricultural value of the land. The Maryland the Beautiful Act of 2023 established goals of conserving 30% of the land in the state by 2030 and 40% by 2040. Land protected by state agencies, local governments, nonprofit land trusts, and the federal government all count towards the goal. Maryland’s total land area is about 6.1 million acres. Read more…
Maryland Summer-Fall 2024 Striped Bass Season Begins May 16
During striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay, anglers may keep one striped bass measuring between 19 and 24 inches per day. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo by Eric Packard.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced regulations for the summer recreational striped bass fishing season beginning May 16, 2024, which continues existing conservation measures put in place in an effort to protect the striped bass fishery on the East Coast.
Striped bass season in the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay will be open May 16; the remainder of Bay waters, including its tidal tributaries will open June 1 through July 15. All areas of the Bay will be closed to any targeting of striped bass from July 16 through July 31, and will reopen August 1 through December 10. Anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum length of 19 inches and a maximum length of 24 inches.
Targeting of striped bass has been off-limits in the Chesapeake Bay since April 1. In the tidal tributary rivers and the Susquehanna Flats, targeting of striped bass is prohibited through the end of May. Read more…
Board of Public Works Approves $2.1 Million for Recreation and Land Preservation
Funding includes recreational facilities in Calvert and Frederick counties
Among the items funded, a conservation easement in the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area in Carroll County will help protected forested stream buffer in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items including more than $2.1 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to preserve and protect land, and provide recreational opportunities for Marylanders.
Program Open Space – Local provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, purchase and development of recreational land or facilities. A total of $622,000 in Program Open Space – Local was approved for three projects, including a $300,000 grant for basketball court improvements at Cove Point Park in Calvert County and $297,000 for the acquisition of 4.3 acres to expand the Brunswick Sports Complex in Frederick County. Read more…
Maryland’s License-Free Fishing Days Provide Access to Angling for All
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will offer license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on June 1, June 8, and July 4. These annual events provide anglers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration.
The department hosts license-free fishing every year on the first two Saturdays of June and on the Independence Day holiday to take advantage of peak spring and summer fishing. On these days, any individual may catch and possess finfish for recreational purposes in any tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland. All anglers must follow all current regulations, including size and catch limits found in the department’s fishing and crabbing guide. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 8
Angler Randyka Pudjoprawoto caught a 22-inch largemouth bass on Lake Bernard Frank near Rockville on May 3. Photo courtesy of Randyka Pudjoprawoto.
Spring is spreading its blanket of new growth and warmth across the Maryland landscape this month. The black locust trees are blooming, signaling the first blue crab shed of 2024. These warm and sunny days beckon anglers of all ages and skill levels to seek out the excitement of fishing in every corner of Maryland – don’t miss it!
Secretary’s Message: Maryland State Parks Are Always Worth Celebrating
Staff and volunteers help clean up invasives at Gunpowder Falls State Park for Earth Day 2024, which was the final day of Maryland State Parks Week this year. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
In April, the Department of Natural Resources celebrated State Parks Week, an annual acknowledgement of the special significance of our public lands. Our state parks, under the leadership of the department’s dedicated Park Rangers, provide the amenities and activities that nearly 20 million Marylanders enjoy every year, each with its own unique opportunities to connect with Maryland’s natural and cultural treasures.
The Maryland Park Service is encouraging visitors to complete challenges this year related to its 2024 theme: “In their footsteps, stepping forward in nature and back in time.” Challenges include visiting a park they have never been to before, finding animal tracks and visiting historical sites to appreciate those who walked the land centuries ago. Read more…
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 molly.pickel@maryland.gov.
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.
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