Fisheries Service is highlighting our newly formed Maryland Youth Fishing Club.

The club is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 15. Membership is free and each new member will receive a Maryland Youth Fishing Club Patch. Find out where special youth events are being held, share your fishing stories and photos on the Youth Angler's Log and learn new things about fishing. Be sure to check back for weekly fishing tips and advice from expert anglers. Throughout the year DNR will have exciting features for members of the club.

Download Sign-up Sheet (.pdf)

Seeking Youth Fishing Club Members for Diamond Jim Tagging Trips

The Maryland Fishing Challenge is a free, year-round contest sponsored by the Maryland DNR Fisheries Service to highlight the state's excellent fishing opportunities. The contest has 3 parts, including one called "Diamond Jim" which focuses on Striped Bass (Maryland's State fish) and the Chesapeake Bay. In May, June & July, DNR biologists and young anglers work together to catch, tag and release striped bass in Chesapeake Bay. Each tag has a unique number, and anyone who catches a tagged fish between June and September wins cash! But only one fish is the real Diamond Jim and that fish can win someone thousands of dollars through the Maryland Fishing Challenge. For more information on the contest, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/index.asp.

The current openings are listed below. **Boat typically leaves the docks at 6:00 am

• May 23, 2013 (Limited spots left) - Boats will be leaving from: Deale and Breezy Point Marina
• June 27, 2013 (50 spots available) - Boats will be leaving from: Kent Island, Deale, Tracy's Landing, St. Jerome's Creek, Tilghman/Rock Hall, and Solomon's.
• July 25, 2013 (70 spots available) - Boats will be leaving from: Rock Hall, Deale, Herrington Harbour South, Solomon's, and Chesapeake Beach

Space on each of the trips is on a first come, first-served basis. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In order to allow as many children as possible to participate, more than one child may be accompanied by the same adult.

If you would like to take your child or children on one of these trips, please reply to Letha Grimes at lgrimes@dnr.state.md.us with your first and second choice of date and location. Be sure to include your name and phone number; and child's name(s) and age(s).

We are pleased to offer Maryland Youth Fishing Club members this chance to experience a day of fishing on Chesapeake Bay and we look forward to hearing from you. If you have questions or want more information the club or youth fishing in Maryland, please contact Letha Grimes at (301) 898-9724 or lgrimes@dnr.state.md.us.

Share your latest fishing experience on the Youth Angler's Log

In addition to the overall Angler's Log, all youth fishing entries are also posted within the Youth Angler's Log.

To post a report please email your name, age, hometown, photos, location information, and a description of your fishing trip to fishingreports@dnr.state.md.us. All information is optional, but encouraged.

Important Note: If anyone in your picture is under 18 years of age, we must have a photo release signed by a parent/guardian before we can post your picture. By sending any photos or art to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources you are giving DNR permission to use the image(s) online and in print. You are also giving DNR permission to distribute the photo for non-commercial purposes to other media, print, digital and television for their use. You are not giving up your copyright, but are allowing the photo(s) to be used for educational and news purposes. All Photos will be made available on Fisheries Service Flickr Page.