Now Available - Text Message Reminders Regarding Commercial Blue Crab Regulation Changes

Because there are so many changes in regulations for the commercial harvest of blue crabs throughout the season, Maryland Fisheries Service has set up a program that will send text message reminders to your cell phone. A day or two before a regulation change goes into effect you will receive a reminder about things like changes in the female bushel limits and closure periods as well as changes in male and peeler minimum sizes. There is no charge for this program from the Fisheries Service, but there may be charges from your cell phone service provider so check with them for details. To sign up, click the link below and enter your name, cell phone number (numbers only, example 4431234567), select your service provider and then click the subscribe button - it's that easy and you can unsubscribe at any time.

If you have questions you can e-mail them to us here at the Fisheries Service

To sign up for the commercial crabbing regulation text message reminder, click here!

Rock On! (Video)

Who's ready to catch some stripers? Striper season is just around the corner, and we've cooked up this video to help you get excited. Rock On!

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Record Snow Fall at Deep Creek Lake May Result in Unprecedented Spring Melt

Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station to Lower Lake Levels;
Lake Users Encouraged to Take Extra Safety Precautions

Sooner or later the record snow fall at Deep Creek Lake must melt and that could cause a record spring runoff. To a limited extent, Deep Creek Lake levels can be controlled by the Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station which operates under a Water Appropriation and Use permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Under the permit conditions, the Station, which is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power, uses water to generate hydropower, but keeps Lake levels within a defined “rule band” with upper and lower limits. This year’s unprecedented snow fall will likely result in an unprecedented snow melt, particularly if temperatures rise quickly.

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For more information on the Lake’s level, please visit www.deepcreekhydro.com.

The 2010 Youth Fishing Rodeo's Announced

The 2010 fishing rodeo list is here! The Fisheries Service has compiled a list of over 50 fishing rodeos from throughout the State of Maryland, these rodeos are aimed towards youth and meant to help foster fishing as an outdoor family activity. The Fisheries Service Hatchery Staff supplies the fish for the rodeos which are held primarily during the spring but a few are scheduled for the fall.

The rodeos are sponsored by various local organizations, please contact the particular group if you have any questions.

Click here to view the 2010 rodeo list.

Trout Stocking Restarted After Snow Delays

Closure 1 now if Effect Until March 27

The pre-season trout stocking was cut short due to the high snow levels, the Fisheries Service now plans to add those fish that were not moved out earlier to the regular season stocking schedule. The first closure period began March 7 and goes until March 27, only those areas currently open or are Special Use Management Areas will be listed in the 'Currently Stocked' table on our trout page.

To view the table of stocked locations please visit the Trout Fishing page.

Crayfish Ban In Effect For Middle Potomac, Upper Potomac and Susquehanna River Basins

New permanent regulations pertaining to the catch, possession and use as bait of crayfish became effective October 2009. The regulations apply to Middle Potomac River, Upper Potomac River and Susquehanna River Basins. In these basins, anglers may not catch, use or possess any species of crayfish unless the head is removed immediately upon capture. Also, anglers may not catch and possess any female crayfish bearing eggs. Eggs on the female are found attached to the underside of the abdomen. These must be immediately returned to the water where they were caught.

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Public Review Sought for Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that the Draft Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin is now available for public review and comment. USFWS chairs the Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC), which is an interagency organization dedicated to the management and restoration of American shad, river herring, hickory shad, gizzard shad, American eel, striped bass, and other migratory fish in the Susquehanna River Basin.

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Savage River Reservoir Draw Down Update - Feb 4

DNR Advises Anglers of Poor Savage River Conditions

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reported on January 31 the Savage River Reservoir was completely drained in order to allow contractors for the Upper Potomac River Commission (UPRC) access to the large outlet gates, which are urgently in need of repair. The removal of the old gates and installation of new ones will occur throughout February and early March. Refilling of the reservoir is expected to start by mid-March after repairs are inspected and approved.

As anticipated, the draining process has substantially impaired river conditions with the flow of accumulated sediment from the dam. During the drawdown process, DNR fisheries personnel observed accumulations of organic and inorganic materials downstream. DNR fish kill surveys in the Savage River Tailwater area have revealed a handful of dead shiners, sculpin, yellow perch, and blue gills from the reservoir. No dead trout have been observed at this time. However, DNR expects that the high turbidity conditions will impact the trout population and the aquatic insects that are the base of the trout food chain. DNR biologists will continue to assess these impacts as the weather and water conditions allow. Restoration plans will follow and will likely include the use of high flows from the reservoir to clear sediment from important gravel and cobble bottoms, where tout spawn and invertebrate food sources hide. DNR may also restock brook trout and invertebrates from un-impacted areas upstream. DNR also plans to restock the reservoir as the appropriate fish become available from the state hatcheries.

While the impacts to the fisheries are extremely unfortunate, the broken gates presented a serious public safety concern. The drawdown of the reservoir and disruptions to the system were unavoidable. The DNR Fisheries Service is committed to restoring over time the reservoir fishery and the excellent tailwater trout fishery that anglers have enjoyed in the Savage River system over the years.

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The Maryland NRP Announces Closure of the Eastern Part of the Ocean City South Jetty

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) announced the closure of the eastern part of the Ocean City South Jetty. The eastern third of the jetty will be closed to foot traffic; the western portion of the jetty will remain open to the public and anglers may still fish the area by boat.

There were several incidents last year, in which people were swept off the jetty into the water. Those individuals were able to climb back onto the jetty without assistance, but this event along with steadily increasing activity in this dangerous area prompted a meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Coast Guard and the Natural Resources Police. It was decided at the meeting to close the eastern part of the south jetty.

The area was closed on January 1, 2010 and signs will be posted as soon as the weather permits. The closed area will be marked in English, Spanish and Korean.

Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Hold Series of Open Houses

During the month of January Maryland DNR held a series of open houses in the Bay region to solicit comments regarding the proposed changes to the management of oysters in Maryland. Comments and suggestions were collected and are currently being reviewed, if you would like to leave additional comments you may do so by clicking here.

Click here to view the open house presentation.

2009 Striped Bass Volunteer Angler Survey Results Are In!

Did you know...

• 93 anglers reported a total of 262 fishing trips
• 88% of trips were from boats, 7% from shore, and 2% each from piers and surf
• Anglers reported 2.8 trips on average? One angler reported data from 21 trips!
• The largest fish submitted was 47 inches

Read the full results by downloading the PDF here.