Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Black Bass Conservation Fund

What is the Black Bass Conservation Fund?

Introduced as bills to the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor, the Black Bass Conservation Fund allows the general public to directly donate money to largemouth bass and smallmouth bass management in Maryland. The Black Bass Conservation Fund collects donations that will be used specifically to support largemouth bass and smallmouth bass conservation in Maryland. Your gift will be used for enhancing aquatic habitat, supplies awarded to directors of black bass tournaments, or similar efforts. Projects will be considered each year by the department and its Black Bass Advisory Committee, a body of advisors made up of public stakeholders.

For donations by check of $1,000 or less, please pay to the order of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and include in the memo, "Black Bass Conservation Fund."  Mail checks to: Martha Bruder, 580 Taylor Avenue, B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.  

For donations greater than $1,000, please contact martha.bruder@maryland.gov​.

Make a gift through COMPASS under "purchase merchandise" now.

(See below for detailed instructions.)

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GOAL

The Black Bass Conservation Fund is used to support projects in Maryland that improve the health of bass populations and in turn bass fishing. In 2024 we achieved our goal of raising $5,000 to purchase a bead filter that will allow the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hatcheries to raise 3,000 more largemouth bass (6 inches - 12 inches) each year for the purpose of stocking. The bead filter will begin operation in 2025 with the first batch of fish hopefully stocked in fall 2025! You can contribute to the Black Bass Conservation Fund through​ COMPASS (see below for a How To video).


How do I provide money to the Black Bass Conservation Fund?

People are invited to provide any amount of money to support Black Bass conservation in Maryland. The amount given is not tax-deductible. Log in to COMPASS, go to Purchase Merchandise, and click on the Merchandise section to find the Black Bass Conservation Fund option.

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