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.
Nicole Lentz holds a large Chesapeake Channa she caught recently in Dundee Creek. Photo courtesy of Nicole Lentz​​​​
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Maryland Fishing Report – June 4​​

We approach the longest daylight hours of the year that reach a peak on the summer solstice June 20. There are extra daylight hours to go fishing so get outdoors!​ The first two Saturdays in June are free fishing days where no fishing license is required, so consider taking a friend fishing – it could change their life for the better.

​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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green heron​​​​
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​Maryland DNR 2025 Photo Contest is Underway!​

Photographers and nature enthusiasts are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2025 Photo Contest
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St. Clement's Island lighthouse and 25 in 2025 button ​​​​​​​​​​

Maryland State Parks Adventure Challenge 25 in 2025​​​​

The Maryland State Parks “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge is here! This program challenges you to get out to visit Maryland State Parks and complete at least 25 themed ​challenges- before November 15, 2025. 
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​ Oysters sit in a bucket after being measured by Department of Natural Resources staff as part of the annual fall survey, a major data source for the stock assessment that found an increase in Maryland oysters. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland DNR​​​​​​​​​
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Maryland Oyster Stock Assessment Records Long-Term Increase In Oyster Abundance ​​

The population of Maryland’s oysters has grown significantly in the past 20 years, according to the results of the latest benchmark stock assessment for the species.​​
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2025 Maryland Ice Cream Trail

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The Office of Outdoor Recreation is partnering with the Maryland Department of Agriculture on this sweet initiative, which pairs a trail outdoors with a Maryland-based creamery.

​ Click here for more!​​​​ ​​​​
​​​Maryland Ice Cream Trail 
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