Maryland Tag Return

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.

Species	Tag Color/Type	Tag Location	Contact	Phone Number	Comments
American Shad	Chartreuse, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green/Floy T-Bar Tag	Below Dorsal Fin	Bob Sadzinski	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.
Brown Trout	Visual Implant Tag - Chartreuse and Orange	Behind left eye	Charlie Gougeon	410-442-2080	Tagging in the Gunpowder Falls tailwater has taken place since 1998. The purpose is to collect information on brown trout migration/movements and age/growth verification.
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	Tim Groves if caught in the Potomac River or its tributaries. Tim Groves for Upper Bay, Chester River, and Choptank River This link provides a Worksheet to report your tagged fish	301-888-2423 301-888-2423	This study is designed to collect information on migration/relocation, age verification, and exploitation and catch rates.
Striped Bass	Pink* - Internal Anchor Tag *Older tags are orange 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.
Tiger Muskie	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	Rudy Lukacovic	410-643-6785 ext 107	Purpose of this study to obtain exploitation rates.

For sturgeon tags 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.