Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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E-Reporting with FACTS

Program Updates: ​​



NEW! - Shellfish Pilot Programs available to commercial Oyster
and Clam harvesters and certified Shellfish Dealers!​

Read the FAQ​​ ​flyer and review the Harvester​ and Dealer Program Permits to learn more.​



NEW! - Early start flexibility extended to full season​

for Blue Crab Program Participants who use crab pots!​​

Read the Frequently Asked Questions​​ ​flyer and review the updated Blue Crab Program Permit​​​ to learn more. 

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  With the FACTSTM online system, your computer, tablet or phone
​becomes a convenient way to report your daily harvest activity.

Resources for FACTS Users​

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Electronic reporting, or E-Reporting, is a quick and easy way to submit your commercial harvest information to the department. The Fishing Activity & Catch Tracking System (FACTSTM) is an online harvest reporting system that has been customized to meet the needs of Maryland commercial watermen. E-Reporting with FACTSTM can save you time and provide 24/7 secure access to all of your trip information and harvest history.

E-Reporting Sign Up Button​FACTS FAQs FlyerE-Reporting Training Videos

Due to the popularity of the program, you can expect to be contacted
within ten business days of completing our online Sign-Up form.

The login information (username and password),
to your new FACTSTM account will be provided during training.

​FACTS Training OptionsFAC Program FlexibilitiesFACTS Program Guides  


IMPORTANT:  Temporary License Transfer Holders

Is the owner of the license using the same license number as you? Only one person per license number is able to report harvest in FACTS, with the owner of the license having priority. Questions? Call Meredith Jones at 410-260-8301

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​TRAINING OPTIONS:​

Online Training: Learn at your own pace, using a combination of videos and program information that is emailed to you. In less than an hour you can learn everything you need to know to get the most out of your FACTS account.​

Mentoring: Do you know a FACTS user who is able to show you how the system works?  Then contact us to get your electronic reporting account ready and we'll provide the training support to help you get started.  Please be safe and observe appropriate social distancing requirements when working with others. ​

Authorized Users: Linked to the license holder’s FACTSTM account, a designated Authorized User’s account allows for joint harvest reporting and, for Blue Crab pilot program participants, a Flexible Day Off for their harvest activity. Please contact the E-Reporting Program to learn more about this specialized type of account.​

 

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Special Harvest Flexibilities for Pilot Program Participants!


View the Permit Information​ page to see the special harvest flexibility details for each of the fisheries.

Blue Crab Fishery

  • Option for crab potters to start 2 hours before sunrise
  • Flexible Day Off From Crabbing – You get to pick your day off each week and it can vary week to week
    based on what works best for you.
  • Only report on the days you go out to crab.
 

Menhaden Fishery

  • Use FACTSTM to meet your daily Menhaden reporting requirement
 

Striped Bass Fishery

  • Next-Day Check-in of Harvest – You can keep fish from one day of fishing and check it in on the following day
    (either in the morning before you start your next trip or as combined harvest at the end of the day).
  • Authorized Representatives – You can designate a representative(s) to check-in your daily harvest for you
    at a check station (Cannot be used with next day check-in incentive).
  • No longer need a Striped Bass Harvest Permit card to track your quota – FACTSTM will track your quota
    for you when you check-in your catch, making it easy to see exactly how much quota you have remaining.
  • Easily and quickly transfer striped bass quota electronically with other FACTSTM users.
  • Only report on the days you go out to actively harvest.
 

Yellow Perch Fishery

  • Allows the Use of Box Tags - Free box tags are provided for pilot program participants. 2025​​​​ Yellow Perch Box Tag Instructions
  • No daily calls to the Yellow Perch Hotline when you use FACTS to report your trips.
  • No longer need a Yellow Perch Harvest Permit card to track your quota shares - FACTS will track your quota for you.
  • Only report on the days you go out to actively harvest.
 

For-hire Fishery

  • The captain and one mate can each possess up to one striped bass per person per day, within the open recreational striped bass season after May 15
  • Only report on the days that your run for-hire trips

 
 

Shellfish Oyster and Clam Fisheries

  • Authorized Representatives - You can designate a representative(s) to take your harvest to a dealer for you
  • Option to start 1/2 hour before sunrise
  • Only report on the days that you go out to harvest​

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PROGRAM GUIDES:

View the User Manual and Quick Start Guides to see how to customize your FACTSTM account.

 
User Manual Quick Start Guide Quick Start Guide​ E-Reporting Program Informational Flyer
User Manual Quick Start 
Guide for Mobile
and Call Center		 FACTS Program
Brochure 		 Program Flyer
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Still have questions?  Please contact Meredith Jones at FisheriesEReporting.DNR@maryland.gov or 410-260-8301​.

Resources for Current FACTSTM Users

TIME SAVING TIPS

 Check out these helpful tip sheets to make using your FACTSTM account even easier and faster.
  • Saving the FACTSTM website to your mobile device’s Home screen creates a convenient shortcut where you can log in to your account at the touch of an icon button.
  • Request your Pilot Program Permit(s) online after logging in to your FACTSTM account. 
  • Printing/viewing a copy of your Pilot Program Permit from your FACTSTM account is easy and ensures that you can always have a copy with you when you go out to harvest.
  • Review the FACTS Best Reporting Practices​ to ensure that your daily harvest activity is being reported correctly. Remember to start your trip before you leave the dock and send your harvest information before you land.​
  • Need to find the address for a public landing location?  Use Maryland's Online Water Access Guide​ to see the details for each landing by county.
  • Harvest your hard crabs by the Dozen or Individual count? Use our helpful Crab Meas​ures Conversion Chart to find the partial Bushels or Pounds you need to enter your harvest in FACTSTM.
 
FACTS Sign In with a computer button FACTS Sign in with a smartphone or tablet button


Call Center: Call 1-855-390-2722 to have an electronic reporting representative enter your daily trip and harvest information for you.

Helpline: Call 1-877-979-1820 for technical assistance 24 hours a day.


 

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