DNR Considers 2009 Inland Fisheries Regulations
Five Public Comment Meetings Scheduled in April

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ANNAPOLIS, MD –  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold five public meetings to solicit comments on the recently potential 2009 inland fisheries regulations.

“We look forward to discussing the health of and challenges facing our inland fisheries and receiving feedback from anglers on how to best manage and protect our fisheries,” said Don Cosden, Inland Fisheries Acting Director.

Notable changes within the proposed inland fisheries regulations include:

• Changing the lower boundary on the Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Area on the Youghiogheny River;
• Increasing the creel limit on Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas from two to five trout per day;
• Consideration of three opening date options for Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas;
• Changing the Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Closure period on Savage River;
• Changing the Maximum Size Bass Fishing Area on the Potomac River from Dam 3 to Dam 4 to statewide bass size regulations of minimum size of 12 inches; and
• Adding Catoctin Creek and Little Catoctin Creek to the list of Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas.
• Prohibiting the catch, use for bait, or possession crayfish while fishing in the Monocacy and Susquehanna watersheds to prevent the spread of highly invasive rusty crayfish.

The regulatory ideas being considered can be viewed at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/.

Details on the public comment meetings where DNR will present on the proposed regulations are below. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request (one-week advance notice for is requested).

Tuesday, April 1 at 7 p.m.
Appalachian Laboratory, Room 109
301 Braddock Road in Frostburg (Allegany County)

Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Greenbrier State Park Visitor’s Center,
21843 National Pike in Boonsboro (Washington County)

Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Patapsco Valley State Park, Hollofield Headquarters
8020 Baltimore National Pike (Route 40) in Ellicott City (Howard County)

Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.
Cedarville Natural Resource Area Visitor Center
10201 Bee Oak Road in Brandywine (Prince George’s County)

Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
Natural Resources Police Eastern Region Office, Area 2,
3001 Starr Road (Route 309 and 404) in Hillsboro (Queen Anne’s County)

DNR’s Fisheries Service is grateful for the financial support from the federal Sportfish Restoration Program, and anglers purchase of freshwater fishing licenses and trout stamps.

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March 17, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.