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Maryland DNR Fisheries Service
2007 Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey
Data Analysis

THE ANGLERS...2007 Maryland Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey Summary - December 2007

  • 5,955 anglers fished
  • 190 anglers reported
  • Most were from MD, PA, DE
  • 21% belong to an organization

THE FISH...

  • 15,427 fish reported caught
  • 9,896 fish measured
  • Average length: 13.1 inches
  • The length distribution of the overall summer flounder catch has been steady for the past 6 years (2002-2007).

THE TRIPS...

  • 1,166 trips reported: 1,098 trips along the Atlantic Coast (94%) and 54 trips in the Chesapeake Bay (5%), and 14 trips were reported without a location (1%).
  • 122 skunked trips: 114 Atlantic coast trips (10%), 7 Chesapeake Bay (13%), and 1 unknown location (7%).

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 2008, 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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