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…
Nominations Accepted Through Jan. 31, 2020 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission announce the creation of the Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award, a celebration of conservation, education, and sportsmanship. This prestigious honor will recognize an individual who has provided sustained efforts in habitat management, conservation, education, research, or other meaningful Read the Rest…
The colder weather has descended upon the Maryland landscape and few know it better than our furry, finned, and feathered friends who call the outdoors their home. All are on a bit of a feeding binge to prepare for the cold winter months ahead.
Benefits, Discounts Provided for Those Who Serve In recognition of Veterans Day, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces its numerous resources available to veterans. In February 2019, joined by more than 100 veterans, Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed 2019 as the Year of the Veteran in Maryland. This yearlong observance honors United States veterans and Read the Rest…
November has started off with lots of exciting fishing opportunities. Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews have stocked generous amounts of trout in waters throughout the state, as our fall stocking program comes to an end. Chesapeake anglers are enjoying fishing for striped bass and coastal anglers are experiencing excellent fishing for sea bass. Mike Read the Rest…
As October comes to a close, Maryland anglers will find there are plenty of treats and no tricks awaiting them. The fall stocking program has released a very generous amount of trout across Maryland; Chesapeake Bay anglers are enjoying some of the season’s finest light-tackle action; and sea bass fishing off Ocean City has been Read the Rest…
Nottingham Resident Catches Ten Species to Earn Award The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized its first FishMaryland Master Angler Award recipient. Gary Simpson of Nottingham, Baltimore County, caught a total of 10 different species meeting all the minimum set requirements of the department’s new recreational fishing award program. Simpson’s award-sized catches include: chain Read the Rest…
Maryland Dedicates Annual Event to Those Who Served The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites all current and former service members and their families to Patriot Point in Dorchester County Sept. 21 to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. The annual event includes fishing, archery, shooting sports, and other activities centered on the outdoors and Read the Rest…
Maryland offers a wide variety of exciting fishing opportunities to those who fish her waters. We are pleasantly reminded of the amazing resources that are available to us when an extraordinary specimen is recognized as a state record. These listings keep a permanent record and help promote those resources.
Summertime fun is settled in throughout Maryland. It’s great to see children whose parent, relative or guardian can take them fishing or crabbing, enjoying all that the Maryland outdoors has to offer.
This is a special weekend for sons and daughters to celebrate their love for the fathers – or father figures in their lives — who help them to appreciate the gifts of the outdoors. No doubt many will take out the gear this weekend and share that special time together that fishing provides. Happy Father’s Read the Rest…
Western Maryland Fishing Destination Offers Free Use of Gear The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is expanding its popular loaner tackle program to Rocky Gap State Park, offering park patrons free use of fishing gear and tackle. Eight youth-sized fishing rods have been refurbished and several tackle boxes have been donated to help promote youth Read the Rest…
There is a special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren, and some children are lucky enough to have a grandpa or grandma to take them fishing. Lothar Weber recently took his 5 year old grandson Dexter trout fishing near Little Falls. Grandpa brought his fly fishing outfit, Dexter dug up his mom’s garden to collect Read the Rest…
Maryland Was Made for Great Outdoors Month June marks the official start of summer — although it feels like it really began weeks ago — and June also marks National Great Outdoors Month. While this is a national celebration, no one does outdoors better than Maryland! The State of Maryland features a unique array of Read the Rest…
Anyone Can Fish June 1, June 8 and July 4 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites anglers to experience our state’s myriad waterways during license-free fishing days on June 1, June 8 and July 4. These annual events allow everyone the chance to test their fishing skills or reinvigorate their love of fishing without Read the Rest…
State Expands Conservation Message and Outreach Maryland’s regular striped bass season gets underway on May 16, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that conservation regulations put in place last year are in effect through the end of 2019. When fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, anglers must use non-offset Read the Rest…
The black locust trees are blooming and for many old timers this heralds the first blue crab shed of the year – starting many to think about getting their gear ready and enjoying some recreational crabbing and the bounty it provides. There is good news for all wishing to enjoy a crab feast. The results Read the Rest…
Expanded Outreach to Help Anglers Target Invasive Predator The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is increasing its efforts to educate the public about the northern snakehead, an invasive fish found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The department has introduced several informational videos, supplemental fact sheets and an updated webpage. Northern snakeheads were first observed in Read the Rest…
Maryland Tradition Springs to Life The recreational crabbing season in Maryland officially opens April 1 for the Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries as well as in the Atlantic Ocean, coastal bays and their tributaries. Recreational crabbing in Maryland can be done a variety of ways, with or without a license depending on the equipment and Read the Rest…
Volunteer Surveys Engage Citizen Scientists As spring fishing season begins in earnest, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks anglers to help track scientific data by using the mobile-friendly Volunteer Angler Survey. Anglers of all ages can become citizen scientists by recording some basic information from their catch such as species, location and size directly Read the Rest…
February is often thought of as a time for fishermen to keep busy by going over tackle, fly tying or attending outdoor shows. But others know there are fish out there and many know how to find them. The preseason trout stocking program has started in earnest, and there is good fishing for yellow perch Read the Rest…
FishMaryland Offers Recognition for Various Skill Levels The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has launched a new award program to celebrate the state’s anglers and the diverse species of fish they catch. FishMaryland is a multifaceted award program designed to encourage anglers to take advantage of Maryland’s year-round recreational fishing and enjoy the state’s accessible, affordable Read the Rest…
Tournaments Recognized for Best Practices The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces a new award to help promote black bass conservation. The Director’s Black Bass Conservation Award will recognize bass fishing tournament directors who exemplify conservation with special recognition from the department and eligibility to receive fishing supplies.