MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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General​ Information​

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More from DNR​​​

Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologists conduct the annual spring spawning survey. Striped bass are measured, sexed, tagged and released. Maryland DNR photo.

State of the State Fish: What Marylanders Should Know About Striped Bass in 2025​​

While there remains uncertainty around future spawning potential for the species given recent population declines documented in juvenile surveys, Maryland is maintaining the recreational seasons, limits, and the commercial quota instituted last year based on the overall 2024​ coastwide Atlantic striped bass stock assessment.
Logan Weddle was enjoying wading on the upper Potomac when he caught and released this beautiful trophy sized 21-inch smallmouth bass recently. Photo courtesy of Logan Weddle​​​​
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Maryland Fishing Report – May 7​​​

May is upon us and warm temperatures beckon all to enjoy the outdoors of Maryland. Fishing is one of the best ways to enjoy nature and the peace and solitude that comes with being near water.

​DNR staff tour Cypress Branch State Park in Kent County, currently the newest Maryland State Park. Maryland DNR photo.
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Secretary’s Message – New State Laws Will Help Protect Public Lands and the Chesapeake Bay​

Now that the Maryland General Assembly legislative session has ended, the Department of Natural Resources is working to act on the laws they have passed.
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Powered by solar panels, the sonicator buoy sits in Hunting Creek Lake in Frederick County. Photo by Joe Zimmermann/DNR​​​​
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​New Technology Helps Beat Back Harmful Algal Blooms

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is identifying and controlling toxic algae several ways, from sophisticated imaging to sonic waves​​
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Francis Smith, Maryland’s lead agroforestry planner, points out a persimmon at the White Marsh Park Edible Trail. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland Department of Natural Resources. ​​​​​​​​​​

Food Forests Bring Fruit Harvests and Deeper Connections to Land ​​​​

The Edible Trail is what might be called a food forest, or a forest garden. It’s an example of agroforestry—a range of practices that incorporate primarily native fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs as well as herbaceous species and fungi into the landscape​.​
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​Officers conduct foot patrol through known hunting areas in search of illegal hunting activity, permanent stands, bait locations, and more in pursuit of poachers. Maryland DNR photo.​​​​​​​​​
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Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Winter 2024-25 ​​​​

The Maryland Natural Resources Police issued various citations and made numerous arrests for violations of criminal and natural resource law throughout December of 2024 through February of 2025.​​
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Where Do Birds That Leave 

​Maryland for the Winter Go?


Maryland, especially the coastal areas along the Chesapeake Bay, attracts many migrating northern birds during the winter, but that migratory pull goes in both directions.

​ Click here for more!​​​​ ​​​​
​​​Baltimore oriole. Photo by Jeff Dyke 
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