DNR Withdraws Proposed Fishing Regulations For Susquehanna Flats
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Based on public feedback from the recreational fishing community, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service is withdrawing proposed regulations to restrict the use of certain baits and lures in designated striped-bass spawning areas between March 1 and May 31, when fishing for striped bass is not permitted, and during the Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release season.
The regulations were initially introduced to address both the potential of increased striped-bass bycatch fishing mortality associated with using bait and the intentional targeting of striped bass in spawning reaches.
"The recreational fishing community provided many good suggestions. Based on those suggestions, we are withdrawing our current proposal,” said Fisheries Service Director Howard King. “The important conservation aspects of the proposal will be re-proposed in upcoming months.”
DNR will convene with stakeholders this summer to discuss the fishery-management concerns regarding these sensitive areas and develop specific recommendations for using circle hooks in particular areas.
The recreational fishing community and DNR support the use of circle hooks as a conservation tool in sensitive striped-bass fishery management areas. DNR will develop a proposal for the 2005 fishing season focused on the use of non-offset circle hooks in striped-bass spawning areas and in the Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release fishery.
Posted March 17, 2004