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Maryland DNR Fisheries Service
2006 Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey
Data Analysis
 December 2006

THE ANGLERS...2006 Maryland Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey Summary - December 2006

  • 5,332 anglers fished
  • 53 anglers reported
  • Most were from MD, PA, DE
  • 36% belong to an organization

THE FISH...

  • 7,457 fish reported caught
  • 5,002 fish measured
  • Average length: 13.8 inches
  • The length distribution of the overall summer flounder catch has been steady for the past 5 years (2002-2006).

THE TRIPS...

  • 589 trips reported: 559 trips along the Atlantic Coast (95%) and 30 trips in the Chesapeake Bay (5%)
  • 58 skunked trips: 58 Atlantic coast trips (10%) and 10 Chesapeake Bay (25%)

USES OF THE DATA...

These data are used to calculate:

  • population length distribution;
  • perform creel (minimum size) analysis;
  • and guide the management approach for Atlantic vs. Chesapeake Bay populations.

CONCLUSIONS....

Your participation in survey is VERY important to summer flounder management along the East Coast. In addition to Maryland DNR, neighboring states of Delaware and Virginia have used these data to guide their management decisions for establishing creel, minimum size, and season limits. The success of this survey resulted in other states implementing a similar program.

For 2007, please continue to:

  • encourage others to participate, including friends fishing the Chesapeake Bay where the average number of trips for the past few years is 30;
  • measure to the nearest ¼ inch (very important for determining minimum size limits);
  • continue to report trips where summer flounder were targeted but none were caught.

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