The Department has proposed regulations to limit the harvest of female blue crabs in order to rebuild the blue crab population by increasing the number the female crabs of spawning age. View a summary of the regulatory proposals by going to www.dnr.state.md.us//fisheries/regulations/bluecrabproposedregulations.html.

To view the Maryland DNR presentation given at the May 7, 2008 blue crab public hearing in Cambridge pertaining to the proposed emergency regulations click here.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin today announced a series of public meetings to discuss and hear comments on proposed regulations being considered for Inland Fisheries for 2009. In addition, the Inland Fisheries Division offers these meetings as an opportunity to discuss fisheries management with staff in an information exchange and learning experience.

Inland Fisheries is accepting comments on the proposed regulations until May 30, 2008. To submit comments go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/draftregulations.html.

To read more about the proposed 2009 Inland Fisheries regulations and see dates for the public meetings go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/regs/DNRPubMtgInlandRegChangesFor2009.pdf.

The Cooperative Angler Striped Bass Survey is designed to obtain striped bass harvest data that is not otherwise available to MD DNR. The focus of the survey is to gather size data on harvested and released striped bass. These data are used by managers to determine the size structure of the recreational catch and to estimate the harvest in the spring striped bass season. This information is used to establish future creel and harvest limits that allow for optimum harvests while still protecting the resource.

Anglers are encouraged to participate year-round, on-line or by mail. Follow this link for more information on this important survey.

The Maryland Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey (MVASFS) is designed to obtain recreational harvest and release data that are not otherwise available to the MD DNR. Simply by submitting your fishing trip information when targeting summer flounder, you can become an active participant in summer flounder management. These data are used to perform minimum size analysis, as a comparison to the federal harvest data, and much more! To learn more or to become involved with the Maryland Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey, contact Allison Luettel at 410-260-8343 or via email at aluettel@dnr.state.md.us.

Participate with the survey online at: www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/sfsurveyintro.html

As of April 1, the 2008 regulations are 3 fish at 17.5" for the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays and 1 fish at 16.5" in the Chesapeake Bay and it's tidal tributaries.

Become a part of the Blue Crab Management process, participate in Maryland's Volunteer Recreational Blue Crab Survey! Starting with the 2008 recreational crabbing season, DNR is looking for your input by letting us know a few specifics of your time crabbing. This data will surely prove valuable to fisheries managers when drafting future decisions regarding the blue crab fishery.

To register or to learn more about this survey go to dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/fish/bluecrab/default.asp. Thank you to all who participate, DNR appreciates your effort with the surveys!

The 2008 stocking schedule is here! Go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/stocking/springtroutstock.html to check out the full schedule and the latest areas stocked. A printable version of the stocking schedule is also available. Be sure to visit the new Google Maps linked directly to the interactive table, not only do the maps provide directions to stocked locations across the state but they also provide fishing regulations and other useful information. You can also get stocking up-dates at 1-800-688-3467.

Stocking levels will be increased from 2007. However the continued closure of several hatchery facilities due to whirling disease will result in about 15% fewer fish than in 2006.

MDNR is asking anglers to continue to be vigilant about not spreading whirling, other disease and invasive organisms. Information on how you can help along with documents providing a detailed synopsis of our 2007 whirling disease testing results and a short-term plan for our Bear Creek trout hatchery can be found at www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/indexInland.html#1b.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service recently presented the estimated 2007 blue crab harvest numbers from Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The estimated 2007 harvest is 21.8 million pounds, approximately 6 million pounds below last year’s harvest and slightly above Maryland’s lowest recorded harvest of 20.2 million pounds in 2000.

To view entire press release go to www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2008/020408.html.

To read read up on Maryland's Blue Crab Program go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/crabindex.html.

Now available online, the 2008 Fishing Guide. The guide traditionally accompanies the purchase of your fishing license and covers Freshwater, Chesapeake Bay, Coastal and Atlantic Ocean recreational fishing regulations for the State of Maryland. If your internet speed is a concern please note the file size of the 2008 guide, it is 8 megabytes, if you would rather not download the file please visit your nearest license retailer for a hard copy.

To view and download the entire fishing guide book click this link.

The Fisheries Service would like to thank you for your continued support of the Cooperative Striped Bass Survey. Your data has helped the Maryland Department of Natural Resources determine the size structure of striped bass caught by recreational anglers along Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast. In addition, this survey data will be used to supplement existing monitoring programs and provide data on short term fishing trends.

A summary of the 2007 data collected is now available through our web site, click here to view the analysis. The 2006 summary is also available by clicking here.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to participate, click on Cooperative Striped Bass Survey to go to the survey's web site.

Effective Monday, December 10, 2007, customers can visit or call the new location to obtain vessel registrations and titles, commercial fishing licenses, recreational fishing and hunting licenses, etc. The service center is moving to 1804 West Street, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD. (Click on address for directions) The public phone number, (410) 260-3220, and hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, will remain the same. We look forward to serving you.