Reisterstown and Forest Hill anglers complete 10-species milestone The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Darwin Hayward of Reisterstown and Vincent Tucciarella of Forest Hill for catching 10 different species of trophy-size fish to earn the FishMaryland Master Angler milestone. These two anglers bring the total number of Master Anglers in the program, now Read the Rest…
James L. Frazetti Jr. landed a record-setting fish one day and caught his 10th award-eligible fish the next The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized James L. Frazetti Jr. of Crownsville with a state record for a 7-pound, 8-ounce pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis) and also as recipient of a FishMaryland Master Angler Award. Read the Rest…
The 78-pound fish was landed off Ocean City The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized Marc Spagnola of Berlin, Worcester County, as the new state record holder for longfin albacore (Thunnus alalunga) for the Atlantic Division. Spagnola’s 78-pound catch surpasses the previous record set in 2004 by four pounds. Spagnola was fishing out Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin its annual fall trout stocking program the first full week in October. The program will bring thousands of hatchery-raised rainbow, brown, and golden rainbow trout to streams and impoundments across the state. This initiative provides recreational fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels Read the Rest…
Teen angler and shore fishing specialist are Maryland’s 24th and 25th Master Anglers The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Jesse Black of Kingwood, West Virginia, and Canden Michalski of North East for catching 10 different species of fish at trophy size to reach the FishMaryland Master Angler milestone. These awardees bring the total Read the Rest…
Almost any angler would be thrilled to hold claim to a state record title, but few plan on it. A consistent theme among anglers who catch state records is their surprise when they land the fish, often thinking it was another species or even a snag because of the unexpected weight on their line. While Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Andrew Reier of Glen Arm, Ryan Kaler of Pasadena, and Jake Prior of Perry Hall for catching 10 different species of trophy-size fish to reach the FishMaryland Master Angler milestone. These three anglers bring the total number of Master Anglers in the program, now in its sixth Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Dominic Vuotto of Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, as a new state record holder for blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) in the Atlantic Division. Vuotto landed a 21.3-pound blueline tilefish July 26 while fishing offshore near Washington Canyon. The outing was Vuotto’s first time fishing. Vuotto was fishing aboard Foolish Read the Rest…
Survey of Maryland anglers shows interest in microfishing When most people think about fishing, they envision a proud angler holding a trophy-sized bass for an attention-grabbing photo of a personal best catch. But a type of fishing with the opposite approach has been gaining traction in recent years—microfishing. As the name implies, anglers use a Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recognizes Timothy K. Shaarda of Clayton, North Carolina, as a new state record holder for false albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus) in the Atlantic Division. Shaarda’s 23.5-pound catch breaks a record that had stood for 30 years.
Nathan Choinski began fishing and pursuing the Master Angler title in 2020 Nathan Choinski of Churchville has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Choinski is the 20th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of Read the Rest…
Jeffrey Spicer of Parkville has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Spicer is the 19th angler to achieve the highest milestone in the FishMaryland program. He learned about the Master Angler Read the Rest…
Largemouth bass are Maryland’s most popular freshwater sportfish. Found in lakes, and nontidal and tidal rivers throughout the state, many anglers enjoy fishing for them because of their size, the sport they provide, or the tournaments that are hosted throughout the state. Recently, though, the fish has undergone a name change—sort of. The American Fisheries Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission named writer Shawn Kimbro the 2025 recipient of the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award. The commission and department recognize Kimbro for his decades of advocacy for fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Kimbro has written extensively on fishing ethics and techniques, and championed successful Read the Rest…
Whether someone is just dipping a line for the first time or ready to jump back into the hobby of fishing, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers the chance to enjoy the thrill of a catch without spending a lot of money. Licensing fees directly fund DNR’s important conservation work – the department Read the Rest…
Maryland anglers can do their part to help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by catching and removing blue catfish from waterways. These nonnative fish are top predators that consume native species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Avid anglers looking to put their skills to the test can register for tournaments and try to Read the Rest…
State record holder for rock bass, Thomas Over Jr., reaches new milestone Thomas Over Jr., of Darlington, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Over, 30, is the 18th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized Read the Rest…
Roman Dombrowski reaches the milestone award with a 66-inch bluefin tuna caught off Ocean City Roman Dombrowski, of Baltimore City, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Dombrowski, 20, is the 17th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who Read the Rest…
Jeremy Elmore’s quest to qualify began with an accidental catch, and ended in a small pond Jeremy Elmore of Preston has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Elmore is the 14th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch Read the Rest…
Landon Derbyshire is the second youth angler to earn the Master Angler Milestone award Landon Derbyshire of Eden, Maryland, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Derbyshire is the 13th Master Angler since the program began in 2019 and the second youth angler to win the Read the Rest…
The 38.0-pound grouper caught in the Atlantic Ocean is only 10 pounds short of the world record. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes Jian Feng Li of Silver Spring as the first state record holder for yellowedge grouper (Caulolatilus microps) in the Atlantic division. Li caught the 38.0-pound, 43-inch fish on August 27 Read the Rest…
Record 20.6-pound fish reeled in from depths of Poorman’s Canyon off Ocean City The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes London J. Anthony of Pasadena as a new state record holder for blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) in the Atlantic division. Anthony caught the 20.6-pound, 37.25-inch fish on August 24 while fishing in Poorman’s Canyon Read the Rest…
New Master Angler Eric Packard fishes more than 200 days a year Eric Packard of Calvert 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 trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Packard is the eleventh Master Angler Read the Rest…
Lucy Moore, 11, awarded for catching diversity of species 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 Read the Rest…
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 Read the Rest…
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.
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 Read the Rest…
Jason Michalski of Cecil County recognized as a Master Angler 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 Read the Rest…
Dozens of events offer safe and free fishing for children and teens 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 Read the Rest…
Zeljko Koretic of Baltimore County recognized as a Master Angler 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 Read the Rest…
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 Read the Rest…
Rashan Hunt is the sixth angler to be recognized as a Master Angler Rashan Hunt of Sparrows Point, 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. Hunt is Read the Rest…
Tim Campbell is the fifth angler to receive the award, and second in a year Tim Campbell of Phoenix, Baltimore County, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who legally catch ten different species of fish in Maryland at trophy-size length. Read the Rest…
Jason Paugh, of Red House, this month became the fourth Master Angler awarded under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The highest award in the program recognizes the skill and determination required to catch ten trophy-size fish species in Maryland that all meet the minimum award sizes. Paugh reached this milestone award by Read the Rest…
New accessibility features make it easier for anglers with disabilities to cast a line at popular fly-fishing destination The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed significant improvements to the fly-fishing platform at Morgan Run Natural Environment Area to enhance accessibility for Maryland’s anglers with disabilities. After several months of work, the area is Read the Rest…
Two new records for new species have been established in the Atlantic Division of the Maryland state fishing records program. Angler Chris Stafford of Cherry Hill, N.J. caught a pompano dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis) weighing 2.0 pounds on September 20, and Ellicott City resident Stephen Humphrey caught a great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) weighing 13.0 pounds on Read the Rest…
Record fish caught in Tangier Sound, breaks record held for three years A Somerset County resident has officially been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a new state fishing record in the Chesapeake Bay Division for sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus). Brian Summerlin, of Princess Anne, caught the 16.6-pound fish September 17 in Tangier Read the Rest…
Partnership Program to Study and Reduce Invasive Fish Population The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is continuing a northern snakehead tagging program in an effort to spur removal of invasive fish from our waters. This spring, up to 500 tags will be put on snakeheads from Gunpowder River, upper Read the Rest…
Free Registry is Required Annually to Fish for Anadromous Species Maryland has added a convenient option for anglers who are required to complete an annual saltwater registration to fish for striped bass and other species. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has created a convenient form that does not require the angler to create an Read the Rest…
Free Basic Instruction Program at Sandy Point State Park The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Marine Trades Association of Maryland, Annapolis School of Seamanship, and the BoatUS Foundation for Safety and Clean Water are sponsoring free “Welcome to Boating and Fishing” clinics May 6-7 at Sandy Point State Park’s boating ramps. New and returning boaters Read the Rest…
Recognition for Conservation, Education, and Sportsmanship The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission are seeking nominations for the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award, a celebration of conservation, education, and sportsmanship. This prestigious honor recognizes an individual who has provided sustained efforts in habitat management, conservation, education, research, or other meaningful Read the Rest…
Montgomery County Resident Breaks Record Held 18 Years Thomas “Tad” Bodmer of Poolesville has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Resources as the new state record holder Atlantic Division for albacore, or long-fin tuna (Thunnus alalunga), with his 77-pound catch.
Calvert County Angler Lands Fish After Five-and-a-half-Hour Fight Jeff Jacobs has been officially recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as the new state record holder for the Atlantic Division with a 393-pound swordfish (Xiphias gladius) he caught in the canyons off the coast of Ocean City.
Worcester County Resident Sets Record for Atlantic Division The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed a new state record for white perch in the state’s Atlantic division. Robert “Bob” Hudson, of Ocean Pines, unexpectedly landed the 1.85-pound white perch in the Isle of Wight Bay near Ocean City.
Maryland Waters to be Ready for Harvest The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the fall trout stocking season will begin in early October. Thousands of brown, golden, and rainbow trout will be released in several creeks, ponds, and lakes throughout Maryland. Anglers should consult the 2021 Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing for Read the Rest…
Florida Man Recognized with 1,135-pound Catch at Tournament A Florida angler is the new Maryland state record holder for a blue marlin, which he caught in an August 20 tournament at Ocean City.
Previous Record Held About Two Weeks A New Jersey angler is now the second officially recognized state record holder for swordfish, which he caught in a tournament August 6 at Ocean City. Jake Bertonazzi broke the state’s nearly two-week-old record for the Atlantic Division with a 318.5-pound swordfish — Xiphias gladius — caught while participating Read the Rest…
Annapolis Resident and Team Mount 8-Hour Fight to Land Record Fish An Anne Arundel County angler is now the first officially recognized state record holder for swordfish, which he caught in a tournament July 23 at Ocean City. Annapolis resident Peter Schultz, 36, is the first record holder for the Atlantic division – Swordfish (Xiphias Read the Rest…
Current Vacancies on Recreational and Commercial Boards The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking applications for membership to two advisory commissions, the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission and Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission. The Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission represents the interests of Maryland’s recreational fisheries, and the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission represents commercial fisheries across the state. Read the Rest…
Nominations for Next Year’s Award Now Being Accepted The Maryland Sport Fishery Advisory Commission presented its inaugural award for lifetime achievement to two individuals: the late fishing legend Bernand “Lefty” Kreh, and Baltimore County resident Kenneth Lewis. The Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award was established by the commission to honor individuals who have provided sustained Read the Rest…
