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Maryland Fishing Report – March 13

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.  Read the Rest…


Maryland Accepts Donation of Holly Beach Farm – A Unique Chesapeake Bay Property in Anne Arundel County

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  Read the Rest…


Maryland’s Oyster Restoration Sanctuaries Show Promising Signs for Shellfish Recovery

At restoration sites, oysters are establishing dense, productive reefs At first, oyster biologists were concerned. Monitoring efforts at some restoration sanctuary reefs in 2022 weren’t pulling up many oysters, even though the sites had previously been performing well. So divers with the Oyster Recovery Partnership went into the water to investigate. What they found there  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – March 6

Welcome to March and the first signs of spring – including our first fishing report for the 2024 season. Blooming daffodils, departing Canada geese, the arrival of ospreys, and the spring spawning runs of yellow and white perch are happening all around us. Many anglers have been fishing through the winter months due to the  Read the Rest…



Maryland Wetlands Map Identifies Areas That Could Be Affected by Sea Level Rise

Identifying future wetlands can help guide conservation As sea level rise changes the coastal landscape of Maryland in the future some existing wetlands will be submerged, while existing land will become wetlands.  A state mapping project coordinated by Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides a look ahead at what areas could become flooded or  Read the Rest…


Two Studies by DNR Scientists Highlight Spawning Challenges for Striped Bass

Research looks at historical egg data and changes in spawning season timing and duration Two recent studies by Maryland Department of Natural Resources scientists highlight spawning challenges that striped bass, also known locally as rockfish, face in the Chesapeake Bay.  The research was published in “Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science” in  Read the Rest…


DNR Expands Successful Program for Agricultural Landowners to Protect Waterways Statewide

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is expanding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) permanent easement program statewide for the preservation of agricultural land and protection of waterways.  Previously these easements were available in nine Maryland counties; now, landowners across Maryland with existing federal CREP contracts can participate in this significant land conservation program. The  Read the Rest…


Secretary’s Message – January 2024

Welcoming a New Year to expand on our successes at the Department of Natural Resources We’re kicking off 2024 on a hopeful note at the Department of Natural Resources thanks to positive signs in two important indicators for the health of the Chesapeake Bay–dissolved oxygen and oysters.  One of the primary indicators of the Bay’s  Read the Rest…


Chesapeake Bay 2023 Fall Oyster Survey Records Outstanding Spatfall

Strong oyster reproduction observed in Maryland waters The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Fall Oyster Survey recorded a remarkable year for juvenile oysters in Maryland waters, finding both prolific numbers and a widespread distribution throughout many regions of the Chesapeake Bay. The survey’s spatfall intensity index, a measure of reproductive success and potential population growth  Read the Rest…



Cold-Stunning Threatens Aquatic Wildlife – Marylanders Asked to Help

Lethargic sea turtles and marine mammals should be reported to 800-628-9944 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks those visiting the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Coast to be vigilant of sea turtles who exhibit signs of cold-stunning, a condition that causes animals to become debilitated and experience hypothermia-like symptoms due to prolonged exposure to cold  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – December 6

Welcome to December, there are some wonderful fishing opportunities to be found this week for many anglers fishing close to home. The chain pickerel stands out for pure fun and excitement. This will be the final weekly Maryland Fishing Report for 2023. We will be checking in with occasional winter reports and look forward to  Read the Rest…



Maryland Department of Natural Resources Presents Emergency Regulations to Increase Protections for Maryland’s Striped Bass Spawning Population

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is submitting striped bass emergency regulations this week in an effort to bolster the species’ spawning population. These Maryland-specific actions will complement additional actions that will be implemented coastwide in 2024 by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. 


Chesapeake Bay 2023 Final Hypoxia Report

This summer’s dissolved oxygen levels in the Chesapeake Bay were much better than previous years Water monitoring data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Old Dominion University show that dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia were much better than average for May-October 2023. The hypoxic  Read the Rest…




Secretary’s Message – November 2023

Maryland takes the lead on Chesapeake Bay restoration It’s time for Maryland to re-assert itself as an innovator and leader on strategies to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. In October, Governor Wes Moore was unanimously elected to serve as chair of the bipartisan, multi-state Chesapeake Executive Council, the primary policy and leadership body  Read the Rest…





Maryland Fishing Report – October 18

The middle of October is upon us and there are wonderful fishing opportunities throughout Maryland. The fall trout stocking program is underway and Chesapeake Bay anglers are enjoying good fishing for a variety of species. New state records were set recently for two southern species, a barracuda and a pompano dolphinfish, which decided to wander  Read the Rest…


Warm Winters, Low Water Flow Are Leading Factors in Poor Striped Bass Spawn

Environmental conditions are likely influencing reproduction in Chesapeake Bay, scientists say Environmental factors such as warmer, drier winters and decreased spring water flow rates are likely driving forces behind the diminished spawning success of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources scientists. Striped bass, or rockfish, have had low  Read the Rest…








Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – August 2023

Early August dissolved oxygen conditions best on record for time period Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show that August 2023 dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia continued to be much better than average.  The results are from samples collected during regular,  Read the Rest…



Wicomico County Angler Catches Record Florida Pompano

The warm water species was added to Maryland record books in 2019 after becoming more common in state waterways The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized Bobby Graves of Salisbury as the third official state record holder for the Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) in the Chesapeake Division.  Graves caught the record-breaking 6.44-pound fish  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – September 13

Hopefully we have endured the last heat wave of the 2023 summer season. Cooler weather is predicted in the coming days and soon cool nights will begin to lower water temperatures. In the meantime, there is plenty of fun and exciting fishing to be had.



Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – July 2023

Dissolved oxygen conditions continue to be much better than average Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show that July 2023 dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia continued to be much better than average.  The results are from samples collected during regular, twice-monthly  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – August 30

As we go into the Labor Day weekend, there is still plenty of summer fishing action to be shared with family and friends. Remember that while you are fishing, you can also be a citizen scientist! Take a few minutes to help Department of Natural Resources biologists monitor our various fish populations by filling out  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – August 23

As we approach the end of August, fishing in Maryland could hardly be better, so be sure to get outside with friends and family. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has developed an online striped bass habitat conditions mapping tool on our website, applying newly developed water temperature and dissolved oxygen-based thresholds for Maryland’s resident  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – August 16

Fishing is good this week in all parts of the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays, and the many freshwater areas throughout the state. Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ biologists are looking to better understand the striped bass recreational fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and are asking for your help. Biologists have set  Read the Rest…


Secretary’s Message – August 2023

It’s a new day for Maryland’s Bays Governor Wes Moore recently announced a new strategy for how Maryland will deploy state resources to improve water quality in our waterways by better aligning our ongoing Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Bays cleanup efforts with the latest science.  A major study released in May by leading Chesapeake  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fishing Report – August 9

Fishing is good this week in all parts of the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays, and the many freshwater areas throughout the state. Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ biologists are looking to better understand the striped bass recreational fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and are asking for your help. Biologists have set  Read the Rest…



Maryland Department of Natural Resources Awards $22.9 Million for Chesapeake and Coastal Bay Restoration Projects

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the award of $22.9 million from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to 24 ecological restoration projects encompassing 95 sites throughout the state. The projects were selected to improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed while building local resilience to climate impacts.



Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – June 2023

Dissolved oxygen conditions among the best recorded Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show that June 2023 dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia were much better than average. The results are from samples collected during regular monitoring cruises conducted by research vessels.  Read the Rest…




Maryland Department of Natural Resources Opens Grants Gateway for Fiscal Year 2025

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the Grants Gateway application is open for local governments and organizations for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins July 1, 2024. Through this process, funding is available for projects that restore local waterways, increase communities’ resilience to climate change and storm impacts, strengthen local economies, develop the next generation  Read the Rest…



Chesapeake Bay Underwater Grasses Increased in 2022

Annual aerial survey showed continuing recovery   The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today reported a 6% increase in submerged aquatic vegetation, commonly known as SAV or underwater grasses, in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay in 2022. Scientists mapped 37,297 acres of underwater grasses in Maryland during the annual survey. The results represent 47% of  Read the Rest…


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