Contact Fisheries
If you caught a tagged fish please reference the chart below as to who to contact. Please have the species, capture date, total length, tag number, tag color, and catch location ready for the contact. Algae may have to be scraped off to read the tag number. Various species of fish are tagged by the Department in an effort to obtain data such as movement, mortality, habitat use, and growth rates.
Cannot find the tag you are looking for? Check the NOAA Cooperative Tagging Web Site and Registry
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Species
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Tag Color/Type
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Tag Location
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Contact
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Phone Number
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Comments
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| American Shad |
Chartreuse, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green/Floy T-Bar Tag |
Below Dorsal Fin | Karen Capossela | 410-643-6801 ext 121 |
Purpose of this tagging study is to obtain a population estimate. |
| Atlantic Croaker |
Green - Internal Anchor Tag |
Left side near belly | Beth Versak | 410-260-8304 |
Tags were applied as part of a fishing contest but data are still being collected to determine sasonal movements. Fishermen are still eligible for a modest reward. |
| Black Drum | Brown - Anchor Tag White - Anchor Tag Orange - Dart Tag |
Left Side Belly | Harry Rickabaugh | 410-643-6776 ext 109 |
The purpose of tagging black drum is to obtain life history data including growth, migration, and distribution. |
| Blue Catfish | Yellow or White - Floy T Bar Tag | Back of the dorsal fin on the left side | Mary Groves | 301-888-2423 | A reward will be provided for each tag you return; if you catch a blue catfish with 2 tags (yellow and white), please return both tags and you will receive 2 rewards |
| Chain Pickerel | Yellow - Floy T Bar Tag | Posterior to the left pectoral fin and just below and anterior to the dorsal fin. | Martin Gary | 410-260-8289 | Tagging chain pickerel has been occurring in the Severn and Magothy Rivers since Autumn 1999. The purpose of the study is to document pickerel growth over time and to document movement within these watersheds. |
| Hickory Shad | Brown Floy T-Bar Tag | T-Bar Anchor | Bob Sadzinski | 410-643-6801 ext 121 |
Purpose of this tagging study is to obtain exploitation rates. |
| Largemouth Bass |
T-bar Tag - Yellow Internal Anchor Tag- green* *Choptank fish greater than 12" were double tagged. First with a yellow T bar tag and second with an internal anchor tag on the left side of the fish posterior of the pectoral fin. The tag is green in color and has the telephone number of the Wye Mills office on it. |
Back of the dorsal fin on the left side |
Joe Love if caught in the Potomac River or its tributaries. Joe Love for Upper Bay, Chester River, and Choptank River |
301-888-2423
301-888-2423 |
This study is designed to collect information on migration/relocation, age verification, and exploitation and catch rates.
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| Northern Snakehead | Blue/Floy T-Bar tag | Below dorsal fin | Ian Park (ian_park@fws.gov) or Joshua Newhard (joshua_newhard@fws.gov) | 1-800-448-8322 | Purpose of the tagging study is to determine patterns of movement, estimate population size, and individual growth rates. |
| Striped Bass |
Chartuse |
Belly of the fish | Marty Gary | 410-260-82894 |
Yearly contest, call number on tag for eligibility status. |
| Striped Bass |
Pink - Internal Anchor Tag Green - Internal Anchor Tag |
Left side belly | Beth Versak | 410-260-8304 |
Tagging data are used to determine migration rates, migration patterns, growth rates, and mortality rates. The reward for calling in a tag is a certificate with information about the tagged fish and a hat with a picture of a striped bass on it. There are also high reward tags worth $125. |
| Summer Flounder |
Yellow - T-bar Tag |
Left side near belly | Martin Gary | 410-260-8289 |
Tagging is being conducted to determine flounder movement and growth over time. |
| Muskellunge | Gray, Green, Yellow - T Bar Tag | Left side below dorsal fin | John Mullican | 301-898-9724 | Anglers are encouraged, but not required to release a legal (36" +) tagged fish. |
| White Perch | Green - Internal Anchor Tag |
Left side near belly | Beth Versak | 410-260-8304 | Tags were applied as part of a fishing contest but data are still being collected to determine sasonal movements. Fishermen are still eligible for a modest reward. |
| Yellow Perch | Black Raspberry Floy T-Bar Tag | Below Dorsal Fin | Paul Piavis | 410-643-6785 ext 107 |
Purpose of this study to obtain exploitation rates. |
For Live Sturgeon Reward Program(Terminated) contact
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-448-8322.
Horseshoe Crab Tags: If you should find a tagged horseshoe crab, record the tag number, location of observance, and condition of animal, and report this information to the phone number on the tag or to Sheila Eyler at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (sheila_eyler@fws.gov). It is not necessary to remove the tag. Those who report a tagged horseshoe crab will receive a reward.