DNR to Hold Public Meetings to Discuss Potential Inland Fisheries Regulation Changes
Special Western Maryland Open House Highlighting Brook Trout Management Planned

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Annapolis, MD - Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin announced today that the agency will conduct a series of public meetings to discuss and hear public comment on Inland Fisheries regulation changes being considered for 2010. The meetings are open to the public and offer an opportunity to discuss all aspects of fisheries management with staff.

Meetings are scheduled for the following locations and times:

• Visitor’s Center of Cedarville Natural Resource Area in Cedarville (Prince George’s County)
  Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.
   
• Greenbrier State Park Visitor’s Center, Route 40 in Boonsboro (Washington County)
  Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m.
   
• Natural Resources Police Eastern Region Office, Area 2, Route 309 and 404 in Hillsboro (Queen Anne’s County)
  Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
   
• Patapsco Valley State Park, Hollofield Headquarters, Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City (Howard County)
  Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m.
   
• Allegany Community College in Cumberland (Allegany County)
  Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 8 p.m.

The May 9, 2009 meeting at Allegany Community College will also include a Brook Trout Informational Open House featuring information on current and future efforts by Inland Fisheries to improve and protect brook trout populations and their habitat. Statewide and regional surveys and results from recent population surveys will be available, and staff will be on hand to discuss any matters related to inland fisheries.

The following changes to non-tidal fishing regulations are under consideration for 2010:

• Establish a creel and possession limit for yellow perch of 10 fish per day, 20 in possession, for Deep Creek Lake.
• Allow harvest of northern snakehead on the Potomac River and its tributaries using any legal fishing tackle except spear guns. Any harvested snakeheads would be immediately destroyed by removing the head.
• Require import permits for all fish imported into nontidal waters in Maryland.
• Rewrite terminal tackle restrictions for special trout management areas to clarify regulations and remove confusing language.

Inland Fisheries will also discuss several fishing regulation changes that may be proposed in the future to address the management of invasive species - specifically blue catfish in the Potomac and flathead catfish in the Susquehanna.
The agency is also considering expanding the crayfish ban which currently prohibits the capture, use, and possession of any crayfish species in the Middle Potomac River and Lower Susquehanna River Basins to cover the Upper Potomac River Basin.

DNR Inland Fisheries Division management activities are supported by the Sportfish Restoration Program (Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux) funds, and by fees from the sale of freshwater fishing licenses and trout stamps.

The public is encouraged to attend these meetings. Sign language interpreters and accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. One-week advance notice is requested and appreciated.

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March 27, 2009

Contact: Ray Weaver 410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell rweaver@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