DNR to Hold Tidal Water Largemouth Bass Roundtable

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 25, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Inland Fisheries will host an open tidal bass roundtable discussion February 9 from 2– 5 p.m. in the C-1 conference room of the Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue in Annapolis, MD.

During the forum, scientists will present recent findings for largemouth bass populations in the Chesapeake Bay’s rivers such as the Potomac, Choptank, Nanticoke, and Upper Bay tributaries.

DNR officials will also present a review of procedures for tournament directors, including fish release guidelines and procedures, as well as tips for angler behavior and fish handling.

Also on the agenda is an overview of upcoming projects including a new radio tagging program, which will allow DNR biologists to track electronically tagged largemouth bass and assess the effectiveness of existing fish sanctuaries. In compliance with the radio tagging program it is important that bass anglers carefully revive and release a tagged fish in the same waters in which it was caught so the fish will continue to perform normally. DNR biologists will also discuss the ongoing nest box program—an effort to establish discreet refuges suitable for spawning in areas that don’t offer ideal conditions for reproduction.

The final hour of the meeting will be dedicated to questions and answers from stakeholders.

Those interested in attending or who want more information should contact DNR Fisheries Tidal Bass Manager Joe Love at jlove@dnr.state.md.us or 410-260-8257.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 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