An invasive and potentially detrimental algae known as Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) has been identified in the Gunpowder River below Prettyboy Dam. This algae, also known as ‘rock snot’, can have negative impacts on stream biota such as aquatic insects. It can also hinder reproduction of trout and other fish species.

Anglers and boaters are asked to take the same precautions that were suggested for containing whirling disease and other invasive species.

• Scrub all gear to remove mud and plants
• Drain all water from bilges and livewells, don’t move water from one area to another
• We recommend the use of new ‘sticky rubber’ wading boots to facilitate cleaning, if you must use felts allow them to dry completely before moving to another waterbody

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 full 2008 stocking schedule is here. Go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/stocking/springtroutstock.html to check out the full schedule, there is also a printable version 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 were increased from 2007. However the continued closure of several hatchery facilities due to whirling disease resulted in about 15% fewer fish than 2006.

Up-To-Date Information:

1.John Denning from the Potomac-Garrett State Forest reports that Lost Land road is once again open to traffic after a temporary portable bridge was put in place to span the area of a failed culvert pipe under the road. The The State Forest Service had to close the road into the Lost Land Run Area of the Potomac-Garrett State Forest earlier due to the collapse of a large culvert that carries one of the main tributaries of Lost Land Run, (near the lime doser.) The Forest Service worked quickly to reopen the road, as this is a very popular Potomac river fishing access.

2.  Pine Lake (5 trout/day and with a closure No. 2) in Montgomery County will not be stocked this spring season due to an ongoing dredging/riser repair construction project. Some of the trout dedicated to Pine Lake will be put in Kings Pond, a newly renovated pond in Clarksburg, Maryland. Freshwater Fisheries staff stocked 250 trout into Kings Pond, the pond is currently designated as a put-and-take water, therefore, the creel limit for Kings pond is two trout/angler/day. Trout stocking will resume next year in Pine Lake following renovations. Access to Kings Pond is from Route 121 (Clarksburg Road) approximately 1/3 mile east of the intersection of Route 355 and Route 121.

MDNR is asking anglers to continue to be vigilant about not spreading whirling, other disease and invasive organisms. For information on how you can help look below this article. A detailed synopsis of our 2007 whirling disease testing results and related information is now available at this site. For more information read below.

Maryland anglers can still enjoy trout fishing in many area waters. Be sure to check out the new maps linked directly to the full stocking table, not only do the maps provide directions to stocked locations across the state but they also provide some fishing regulations and other useful information. You can also get continued stocking up-dates throughout the summer at 1-800-688-3467. The following table list the latest spring stocking locations for trout fishing.

The DNR trout stocking program is funded entirely by the sale of freshwater fishing licenses, trout stamps and Federal Sportfish Restoration Program (Wallop-Breaux) funds which are generated by anglers and boaters’ tax dollars.

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.

Although whirling disease (WD) presence in Maryland was documented as early as 1995, it became a larger issue in early 2007 with the discovery of infected fish at the Bear Creek hatchery in the Youghiogheny River basin. This was the first documentation in Maryland outside of the North Branch Potomac River (NBPR). While Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) had not found direct evidence of negative impacts to trout populations in the NBPR associated with WD, the occurrence outside of that basin demonstrated the potential for spread of this organism. Nationally, impacts of Myxobolus cerebralis have ranged from undetectable to devastating with the severity of each case difficult to predict. As a result MDNR decided to take aggressive action to stem the spread to new waters of the state and to the extent possible to limit the ability of the organism to perpetuate itself within its current range.

To read the synopsis in full go to the web page www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/whirlingd/WDinMD-Synopsisof2007.pdf

To read the Bear Creek Hatchery Plan for 2008 go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/whirlingd/BCH08plan.pdf

MD DNR is asking anglers to take a number of precautions when fishing their favorite trout streams to help prevent the spread of whirling disease. Recent events at several State Hatchery facilities have illustrated that the parasite is still present in some waters and can be unknowingly spread to new areas.

The organism is known to exist in the North Branch of the Potomac River. So anglers should pay particular attention when moving from that stream to other areas. However the full distribution of whirling disease will not be known until DNR completes its wild fish testing statewide. Anglers should follow the simple steps described below when fishing any waters that hold trout.

To reduce the likelihood of spreading the spores of the organism we are asking anglers:

1. Do not to move fish from one stream to another
2. Do not discard trout carcasses in streams, or on stream banks
3. Please be sure to clean mud from boots and equipment before moving from one stream to another
4. Drain water from boats and live wells and rinse mud from trailers and gear before leaving the fishing site. It is preferable to dry your boats bilge when possible.

The whirling disease parasite was introduced into the eastern US from Europe in the late 1950s and is currently known to exist in 24 states. It was first discovered in Maryland in 1995 in the North Branch Potomac River. Although the parasite is harmless to humans, it can enter the skeletal tissue of trout, producing severe damage to infected fish and causing them exhibit the erratic “whirling” swimming behavior for which the disease is named. The parasite can be fatal to trout and is particularly harmful to rainbow trout.

Trout production at state hatcheries was reduced by approximately 20% this year due to the discovery of the parasite known to cause whirling disease at two facilities in Garrett County. In order to reduce the possibility of its spread, all infected fish were destroyed. As a result, stocking rates will be reduced in all waters across the state for the 2007 season.

Further information on this disease and ways to prevent its spread can be found at http://whirlingdisease.montana.edu

A brochure put out by Montana State University is full of information concerning the disease, click here to view brochure. Montana State University has also put out a concise Fact Sheet regarding whirling disease, please click here to view and print the fact sheet, if possible please carry with you while fishing.

Research responding to concerns regarding the spread of diseases and invasive species has shown that felts on the bottom of wading shoes and boots are major culprits in the transfer of such problems. Research by Gates (2007) concluded that felt material retained 100% of whirling disease spores in material testing; and in 2006, participants of a special American Fisheries Society meeting on the invasive algae Didymosphenia agreed that “felt-soled waders are one of the highest risk vectors in the spread of ‘didymo’ on a global scale.”

In light of these findings, Maryland Department of Natural Resources strongly urges anglers to eliminate the use of felt-soled boots and waders. For some areas, traditional rubber boots, or those with studded bottoms may provide as much traction as felts. For challenging areas, manufacturers are now offering ‘sticky-soled’ alternatives, with traction treads like those found on all weather tires. These sticky-soled rubber boots provide good traction, are non-absorptive and easy to clean. Guides and anglers have reported that the studded versions of these boots work as well as felts. They may take a little getting used to, but they don’t absorb water, are more lightweight and may, ultimately, make walking easier. These new boot materials effectively reduce the chance of spreading disease and invasive organisms. By removing dirt and debris from these new types of footwear with a scrub brush, you can effectively prevent transmission of these agents from one area to another. Please consider helping Maryland DNR protect the resources of the State by trying out alternatives to felt bottom waders.

Literature Cited

Gates, K.K. 2007. Myxospore Detection in Soil and Angler Movement in Southwest Montana: Implications for Whirling Disease Transport. Montana State University Master’s Thesis

Western Division American Fisheries Society. 2006. Special Session on Didymosphenia geminata

We now have the 2008 rodeo schedule for you, just click on the web address to find out when the rodeo is coming to your county! http:/www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/recreational/2008rodeos.pdf. This file may be updated periodically, last update - May 19.
 

The Bay Weekly publication recently ran an article concerning the recycling of fishing line, many of Maryland's State Parks now participate in this recycling effort.

"...Discarded fishing line is nasty. Like other plastics that endure in the Bay and the ocean, plastic monofilament doesn’t biodegrade.  Once line falls into the water or tangles along the shoreline, it stays there.  Worse still, rogue monofilament can kill.  The strong line ensnares seabirds like gulls and osprey as well as fish and other wildlife..."  To read the entire article go to www.bayweekly.com/year07/issuexv38/leadxv38_3.html.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has an informative web site at www.myfwc.com/mrrp/implementing.htm to help get you started towards creating your own monofilament recycling program. Maryland's Fisheries Service strongly advocates the recycling of discarded fishing line.

Fisheries Service has created a "Fact Sheet" concerning stocking/releasing fish in Maryland waters. It is based on current law and regulation and is written so that the public can understand what we mean. We are currently working on nuisance species regulations and will update this information when those (and others) become effective.

If you have any questions, please contact Tammy O'Connell at 410-260-8271 or tloconnell@dnr.state.md.us