MEDIA ADVISORY - WANTED: $20,000 “DIAMOND JIM” STRIPED BASS
Second Batch of “Diamond Jim” Stripers to be Released July 2

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WHAT: DNR will release the second batch of specially tagged striped bass, including Diamond Jim, for the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge. July 4 will be proclaimed Take a Maryland Child Fishing Day.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

WHERE: The Pier at Fort McHenry National Historic Monument
2400 East Fort Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21403

WHO: Frank Dawson, Assistant Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and local youth anglers

BACKGROUND:
On July 2, 2008, 21 specially tagged striped bass will be released at locations throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. One of the 21 will be Diamond Jim, a fish worth $20,000 cash courtesy of Boater’s World and a $5,000 diamond from Smyth Jewelers, if caught by midnight on July 30. The other tagged striped bass, Diamond Jimimposters, will each be worth $500 in Boater’s World gift certificates.

Designed to promote recreational fishing in Maryland, recognize angler efforts and inspire environmental stewardship, the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge began Saturday, April 12 and runs through Labor Day, September 1. Any angler who catches a citation-qualifying fish will be eligible to win one of the official sponsor grand prizes. To date, over 1,000 anglers have qualified to win grand prizes, including a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4 pickup truck from Central Atlantic Toyota, a boat and trailer package from Bass Pro Shops and $5,000 in gear from Bill’s Outdoor Center.

For more information about the prizes, rules, and where to fish, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge.

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June 30, 2008

Contact: Kara Turner 410-260-8018 katurner@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.