$10,000 Diamond Jim Now On The Loose

     Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today kicked off the exciting summer component of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge, releasing up to 200 specially tagged striped bass imposters, including one genuine Diamond Jim -- currently worth $10,000 -- into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Now in its seventh consecutive year, the Challenge showcases Maryland as a premier sport fishing destination for residents and visitors alike, with accessible, affordable, diverse and high quality opportunities for anglers of all ages.

     “The Maryland Fishing challenge is a great opportunity for Maryland anglers and their families to get out on the water and enjoy our natural resources,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The Challenge is open to everyone, from the experienced angler to families fishing with their children for the first time.”

     Each month during the summer (June, July and August), DNR releases 200 imposters worth at least $500 each and one genuine Diamond Jim. He’s worth $10,000 in June, $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August. And for the first time every, this year’s contest features a guaranteed $25,000 payout: If one of the three authentic Diamond Jims is not caught by Labor Day, the cash prize will be split equally among the anglers who catch imposters this summer.

     Diamond Jim was originally created during a short-lived fishing contest during the 1950s, when a single specially tagged striped bass was worth $25,000 to the lucky angler who caught him. DNR revived this fun family event in 2005, to promote recreational fishing, highlight Maryland’s State fish, recognize angler efforts and inspire natural resources stewardship.

     The Maryland Fishing Challenge Citation Award program runs all year long, starting the day after Labor Day and ending the following Labor Day. Every angler who catches an award-qualifying fish or a tagged striped bass and enters the challenge becomes eligible to participate in the grand prize random drawing, to be held during the 43rd annual Seafood Festival on September 10, 2011 at Sandy Point State Park.

     This year’s citation prizes include a boat and trailer package from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats, thousands of dollars in fishing gear and trips from Bill’s Outdoor Center, a tropical vacation from World Fishing Network and merchandise from Under Armour.

     “We are very grateful to our sponsors and our recreational fishery stakeholders,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Without their continued support, this contest would not be possible.”

     More than 60 species of fish are eligible for the grand prizes, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast. Two new species have been added to the list -- the blueline tilefish and the blue crab. To see the complete citation award species list go to dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/index.asp?p=species.

     To be eligible for the contest, all fish must caught recreationally by rod and reel. Complete rules are available online at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge.

     “Catch a fish” is included in the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, issued by Governor Martin O’Malley in April 2009. The Bill is part of the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, an initiative to ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards.

Two License Free Fishing Days in June in Maryland

     Annapolis, MD -- Normally a license is required to fish in Maryland, but there are a few exceptions to this requirement. The first is there are specific areas that are designated License Free Fishing Areas throughout the tidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay. You are required to observe all other fishing laws and regulations. A free MD/PRFC angler registration is also required for anglers fishing without a license in designated license free fishing areas, you may register online through dnr.maryland.gov/service/fishing_license.asp. You can see a list of license free locations on the following page: License Free Fishing Areas.

     The second option is that Maryland hosts Free Fishing Days. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of the state for recreational purposes without an angler's license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the state, but shall otherwise observe all fishing laws and regulations. Maryland's free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4.

     Lastly, youth under 16 years of age are allowed to fish without a license all year round.

Keith Lockwood's Maryland DNR Fishing Report

     Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, MD -- There is a lot going on in the Maryland fishing world this week as freshwater, bay and ocean fisheries begin to transition to a summer pattern. Trout fishing is becoming more of a fly fishermen’s game now as all types of aquatic insect hatches are occurring in trout streams and rivers in the western and central regions. Freshwater species such as largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are either finished spawning or nearly so. Freshwater fish in general are holding in shallower areas and offering some wonderful fishing opportunities. Bay fishermen are focusing now on school-sized striped bass and new summer migrants. Coastal fishermen are experiencing the height of the annual northward migration of large striped bass along the beaches and an infusion of summer species. All in all there is a lot going on whether it is in a local pond down the street or offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.

     Anyone who has been near any of the tidal rivers that flow into the Chesapeake can’t help but notice the heavy flows of runoff that have been occurring this spring. Salinities in the bay are at record lows and the turbid water conditions and floating debris all make for an interesting situation. The salinity at locations such as the middle of the bay has been holding below 4 p.p.t. and below 7 p.p.t. at Point Lookout. These values are well below what would be normal this time of the year. Species such as bluefish, flounder and croakers usually prefer higher salinities than these. Blue crabs will also move out of the tidal creeks and rivers where salinities are low. Low salinities will depress oyster disease but spat set could be affected negatively. Blue catfish and snakeheads may go for a foray out of the Potomac and up the bay. One shinning hope is that all of this spring runoff may create plenty of food for this years striped bass larvae; we can all keep our fingers crossed and hope for a good 2011 year class.

     Fishermen have begun to put away the planer boards, large parachutes and bucktails for medium sized lures and deeper depths. Storms lures trailed behind umbrella rigs or rigged in tandem have been working well for fishermen this week. Medium sized spoons, Tomic plugs and diving Rapalas in red and white can also be good choices. The striped bass tend to hold to structure as most everyone knows so steep edges where the current rips by, ballast stone piles and of course the Bay Bridge piers are go to places to troll this time of the year. These locations are also great places to jig with soft plastics such as BKD’s and there have even been reports of breaking fish. Chumming is another option that fishermen are using right now and some have been lucky enough to catch some small spot to use for live lining.
     The May worms have begun their annual metamorphosis spawning event and can now be seen swarming near dock lights at night. This annual “all you can eat banquet” can make it tough for fishermen when striped bass are so stuffed they feel that can’t eat just one more morsel and pass up fishermen’s offerings. Cow-nosed rays are moving into our portion of the bay and can cause some consternation among fishermen who may think they have just tied into a huge striped bass.

     Perhaps no harder than getting front row tickets to your favorite rock stars concert is coordinating the arrival of the annual black drum run at Stone Rock and a soft crab bait on the end of your fishing line. This annual event is always kept hush hush in the fishing community because it entails following a school of fish on a depth finder and literally dropping a soft crab bait in front of their nose. Jockeying for position in a maneuvering fleet can try any captain’s nerves and it should start sometime this week if it hasn’t already. Soft crab baits can be bound to a circle hook with a couple of rubber bands and stout tackle is a must; this is a knock down brute force battle. 

     Fishing for croakers continues to improve as more fish move into our portion of the bay. Good croaker fishing can be found as far north as the mouth of Eastern Bay. Some of the regions tidal rivers are running stained and carrying a lot of freshwater; some traditional tidal rivers locations have not shown the degree of good croaker fishing fishermen are used to. Channel edges in the bay have been hard to beat lately; especially in the evening hours when the croakers move from the deeper channels to shallower areas to feed at night. White perch fishing in the bay is steadily picking up also as perch set up residence on oyster bars, humps and shoals. 

     Recreational crabbers are reporting sparse catches in the upper bay tidal rivers and creeks and better catches in the southeastern portion of the bay; low salinities may be part of the problem. There are a lot of small crabs chewing up baits and most catches that make it to the basket are 5” to 51/2” crabs and many of those are crabs that spent the winter in the mud so they are sweet and heavy. 

     Freshwater fishermen are enjoying some good fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass and a mix of other species such as crappie, bluegill and chain pickerel at Deep Creek Lake. The largemouth bass there are spawning in the shallower coves this week. Trout fishing has been great for fly fishermen due to the numerous aquatic insect hatches occurring. The upper Potomac River is still running high and cloudy but should improve if large scale rain events hold off. Fisheries biologist John Mullican reports the many of the boat ramps are or can be covered with a film of mud from previous flood waters; so fishermen should be very careful when using any boat ramp. He mentioned the two ramps located between Sharpsburg and Williamsport; Snyder’s Landing and Taylor’s Landing are actually closed and barricaded due to unsafe mudding conditions. 

     Fishing in the reservoirs, lakes, ponds and tidal waters of the state continues to be very good this week where good water clarity conditions prevail. Tidal rivers on the western shore have been running high and can make fishing difficult at times but largemouth bass fishermen on the tidal Potomac report that the high water actually gives them better access to grassy shallows where they can cast buzzbaits over the grass. In lakes and ponds usually water clarity is not too much of an issue and fishing for a variety of species such as crappie, bluegills and largemouth bass has been good to excellent. The largemouth bass are in a post-spawn mode now in all but the coldest lakes in the western region so they are aggressively feeding.

     Water temperatures in the surf along Ocean City are running about 64-degrees this week and fishermen are experiencing the height of the spring striped bass run. Some impressive catches are being reported in the surf and at the inlet. Fresh menhaden baits are the ticket to this show in the surf and make sure you have plenty of it since there are a lot of pesky skates, rays and dogfish. There are also small bluefish and an occasional black drum being caught in the surf.

     At the inlet there has been some excellent fishing for striped bass at night. Swim shads have been the favorite lure for casting; although the bluefish have been chewing them up. The best lure for getting your licks in on the bluefish has been Got-Cha lures. Tautog are being caught along the rocks and bulkheads and the South Jetty if the place to be for big tog if you can get there.

     Flounder and small bluefish are in the back bay areas and although there are a lot of undersized flounder some big ones are being caught. Using larger baits can be a pathway to catching the larger flounder. 

     Sea bass season is now open and fishermen have been lifting some nice sized sea bass over the rails. Double digit catches are fairly common and some fishermen have been catching limits. Tautog are also still being caught at the wreck sites along with cod fish. Farther offshore a few mako sharks and bluefin tuna are being found in the canyon areas.

Governor O’Malley Signs New Laws to Protect Maryland’s Fisheries and Encourage Aquaculture

     Annapolis, Md. -- Governor Martin O’Malley has signed into law legislation to protect Maryland’s fisheries and encourage shellfish aquaculture. The legislation, supported by scientists, watermen, fishing and environmental organizations, is designed to deter harmful fishing activity by increasing penalties for oyster, blue crab, and striped bass poachers; authorizing Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers to inspect commercial fishing business’s storage areas; and streamlining penalty imposition processes.

     “Through this legislation, we are sending a strong message in the fight to protect some of our most valued natural resources,” said Governor O’Malley. “By expanding aquaculture opportunities we are taking an innovative approach towards reviving our native oyster population, while at the same time, protecting oysters and our other fragile resources by punishing those who would wantonly disregard the law.”

     Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Senator Brian Frosh, and House Bill 273 require the revocation (through an administrative hearing) of an individual’s commercial fishing license within 60 days of oyster poaching violations.

     “These bills will help Maryland’s premier fisheries and the folks who depend on them for their livelihoods. They’re a win for everyone—except poachers,” said Senator Frosh, a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.

     Similarly, Senate Bill 635, sponsored by Senator Frosh and House Bill 1154, introduced by Delegate Jim Gilchrist, require the revocation of an individual’s commercial fishing license if they are found by an Administrative Law Judge to have knowingly committed an egregious or repeat violation against striped bass or blue crabs including: using illegal gear; harvesting during closed seasons; harvesting from a closed area; violating established harvest, catch or size limits; or violating tagging and reporting requirements. 

     Senate Bill 655, along with House Bill 1225, increase the penalty for engaging in commercial fishing with a suspended license, a revoked license or without a license, by establishing a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for up to one year. A higher fine and possible imprisonment will deter future violations resulting from fishing on a suspended commercial license. 

     “To bring the Chesapeake Bay back to full health, we need to not only clean up the Bay, but ensure that the resources -- shellfish and finfish -- are not poached and overfished,” said Senator Paul G. Pinsky, the bill’s sponsor and member of the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. “Breaking the law of the water harms the stock, the Bay itself and the people of Maryland. We must send a clear and strong message.”

     This year, NRP seized 10,825 yards of illegal anchored gill net, with 32,204 pounds of striped bass retrieved from these nets. This was the largest illegal poach seized in Maryland in decades. As a response, the General Assembly passed House Bill 1252, which establishes a new misdeameanor charge for the unlawful capture of over $20,000 worth of striped bass (as determined by the proceeds of the unlawful capture). The charge carries a penalty of up to than two years imprisonment.

     “Coastal Conservation Association Maryland believes this legislation will not only allow more effective law enforcement, but also act as a deterrent for habitual offenders that have become accustomed to a slap on the wrist for their crimes,” said Tony Friedrich, Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association Maryland. “We would like to commend the Governor, the Department and leadership in the General Assembly for their support and advocacy for these bills. CCA Maryland feels these enhanced laws highlight the need for all stakeholder groups and those they represent to do their part to promote the accountable and wise use of Maryland’s natural resources.”

     Governor O’Malley also signed into law bills that will streamline administrative hearings for natural resource violations and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement officers who protect Maryland’s natural resources.

     Senate Bill 414 and House Bill 396 authorize NRP officers to inspect licensed commercial vessels, vehicles, and premises where Maryland fishery resources may be stored. The new law also helps to modernize fisheries law enforcement by authorizing NRP officers to issue electronic citations, thereby enabling officers to spend a greater portion of their time doing law enforcement instead of administrative work. The law also allows DNR to suspend or revoke a license after providing the opportunity for a hearing, thus preserving the rights of defendants while streamlining administrative enforcement and allowing the NRP to focus on new cases.

     The Governor also signed several bills consistent with Maryland’s Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan to encourage shellfish aquaculture business growth. 

     “The 2011 Maryland Legislative session has produced three aquaculture bills that will improve the process of issuing water column leases in the State,” said John Shockley, waterman and co-owner of Hooper’s Island Oyster Aquaculture Company. “The availability of barren bottom within oyster sanctuaries will give watermen and others access to prime leases for water column oyster aquaculture. The passing of these bills will provide opportunities to Maryland watermen, allowing them to once again bring Maryland to the forefront of oyster production.” 

     Senate Bill 847 and House Bill 1053, introduced on behalf of the Governor, will streamline the aquaculture permitting process by consolidating and transferring several important aquaculture functions within one State agency. DNR will now coordinate all aquaculture permitting, issue water column leases, and staff the Aquaculture Coordinating Council and Aquaculture Review Board. 

     Finally, House Bill 208 allows the Department to lease barren areas located within oyster sanctuaries for aquaculture. This law increases opportunities for new and growing small businesses engaged in oyster aquaculture. The expansion of aquaculture areas along barren submerged land will also increase natural disease resistance in the wild oyster population, create localized water quality improvements, create more oyster shell habitat, and enhance the natural recruitment of baby oysters within sanctuaries.

Striper Boundaries Expand Slightly as Creel Limit Reaches Two

     Chesapeake Bay, MD -- As of May 16, anglers are now allowed to keep two striped bass between 18 and 28 inches or one above 28 inches and one below. This opens up a whole new world of fishing opportunities in the main stem of the Chesapeake for anglers trolling and light tackle fishing.
     The legal catch-and-keep fishing remains restricted to the Bay proper from a line between Tolchester to the south point of Hart-Miller Island south to the Maryland/Virginia line but now includes the mouth of the Chester, Choptank and Patuxent Rivers, and the Susquehanna and Northeast Rivers and flats.
     On June 1 those restrictions are lifted and the entire Bay and its tributaries will be open for catch-and-keep action.
     Bay water temperatures are now in the upper 60s, so school-sized striped bass are moving into the shallower areas around the bay and can be targeted by light tackle anglers casting lures from shore or small boats. Croaker fishing continues to improve each day as water temperatures rise and more fish move into Maryland waters.
     It is not uncommon now for anglers in boats to catch a nice mess of large croakers from traditional channel edge locations throughout the bay up to the mouth of Eastern Bay. Some of the better places to fish recently have been the channel edges in Tangier Sound, Buoy 72, and the western edge of the shipping channel in front of Point No Point to Breezy Point and off Hooper’s Island. The evening fishing has been the most productive and peeler crab has been the best bait, although shrimp, clam snouts and bloodworms will also catch fish. Fishing for white perch remains good and the best fishing has been in the lower sections of tidal rivers and creeks. Soon, some of those white perch will move onto oyster reefs in the bay.
     Up north, white perch fishing has been very good in the lower Susquehanna River and American shad have shown up in welcomed numbers for catch-and-release anglers. The full moon cycle brought May worms and striped bass, white perch and croaker are beginning to stuff themselves. The full moon and warmer water have also triggered the first blue crab shed of the season and shedding houses have been getting an ample supply of peelers from crabbers, so there should be plenty of peelers available for bait.
     Largemouth bass are generally finished spawning now except for the coldest waters of the western part of the state. Excellent fishing can be found in small ponds and lakes but muddy water is making fishing in tidal rivers difficult. Casting surface baits such as chatterbaits over grass or crankbaits and spinnerbaits near grass edges are a good choice, especially near transition areas between coves and deeper waters.
     Anglers in the Ocean City area have been enjoying some exciting fishing action. The run of large striped bass along the beaches has been the talk of the town for the last two weeks and fresh menhaden has been disappearing from local bait shops. Menhaden baits on a bottom rig have been the preferred ticket for this event, but clams and squid will also work.
      Condensed and edited from Keith Lockwood's DNR Fishing Report.

Recent Rainfall Could Add to Floating Debris on the Bay

     Port Deposit, MD -- Due to the increased rain in the Susquehanna River watershed this spring, the Susquehanna River was flowing high but is beginning to return to normal spring flows. The Conowingo Dam had been in spill with a number of crest gates open. The crest gates are located on the east side of the Dam, and allow excess water to pass directly thru the Conowingo Dam.
 As of Wednesday, May 11, these crest gates have been closed, but shoreline and boating anglers are warned that river flows may rise again due to predicted rainfall within the watershed. When the Conowingo Dam is in spill condition, fishing in the Conowingo tailrace is prohibited due to safety concerns. These high flows have also increased floating and semi-submerged debris into the Chesapeake Bay and boaters are warned to take caution while in Bay waters.
     Anglers are advised to call the Conowingo Generation Hotline at 888-457-4076, which gives the number of units operating; and the Conowingo Spill Hotline, 877-457-2525, which gives the number of crest gates open.
     In addition, the USGS website has weekly flow graphs that present flow data at Conowingo Dam, although flow is trending down more rainfall in the upper watershed is expected, and flows at Conowingo Dam may increase.

14-year-old Angler Catches State Record Muskie on the Potomac

     Mercersville, MD -- A 12 year-old West Virginia boy has caught a 31.75-pound muskellunge, setting a new state record on May 10. On April 14, Kenneth Files of Falling Waters, West Virginia and his father were fishing in the Potomac River, which was in a flood stage. Kenneth spotted an eddy and cast a large white plastic grub lure into the stained waters and a large fish took the bait. He eventually steered the fish, measuring 45-inches long with an astounding girth of 24 inches, into shallow waters.
     Kenneth and his father registered their catch at the Maryland Fishing Challenge Award Center at Wolf’s On the Square in Williamsport. After getting an approximate weight, it appeared that the fish could be a Maryland State record. The Files iced the fish until they could get it to a state-certified scale at a local feed and grain store.
     “The waters of the upper Potomac River support a vibrant, self-sustaining muskie fishery that has gained popularity with anglers,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Biologist John Mullican, who verified the species and weight of the fish. “With the success of the pure-strain muskie, tiger muskies have not been stocked since 2006, and few of the sterile hybrids remain. Muskies are sometimes referred to as ‘the fish of a thousand casts.’ Anglers typically fish for many hours to catch one. Kenneth's record muskie was a female estimated to be 11 years old.”
     The previous muskellunge record of 28.25 pounds was caught in 2004 by Matt Deal in the Upper Potomac.
Kenneth and other Maryland anglers who register a citation-award eligible fish will receive free admission to the grand finale of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge during the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on September 10. Participants should bring their eligible fish to an authorized citation award center (certain tackle shops and charter boats) to receive an entry ticket and invitation to the event. For details, go to www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/challenge/index.asp
     To keep on top of the fishing action in Maryland, check in online with the DNR’s Angler’s Log and weekly fishing reports--www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/log.

Keith Lockwood's Maryland Fishing Report May 4

     Oxford, MD -- For many of us it is hard to believe that May is already here and with it comes consistently warmer weather and with that warmer water temperatures and the arrival of the summer migrants into the bay and ocean waters. In freshwater circles the largemouth bass are spawning in most areas and most other species are very active. May is a marvelous month to spend some time fishing whether one is out on the open waters of the Atlantic, Chesapeake or tucked in at some favorite honey hole on a local stream, lake or pond.
     This Saturday in Greensboro on the upper Choptank River there will be the 8th Annual Greensboro Fishing Derby. Registration is at 8am at the town park on the banks of the Choptank. The fishing derby is a great day to get your little ones out there fishing and is totally FREE! There are trophies for each age division as well as a trophy for the biggest fish of the day. Also there is free food for the kids, door prizes for them and each child will receive a free t-shirt. This event is made possible by individuals and businesses both in and around our community who so graciously make a donation; we love that this is free to the kids and hope to be able to keep it that way for many years to come! The Greensboro Fishing Derby is a Maryland Fishing Challenge sponsored youth event and one lucky young angler will be randomly selected for a free fishing trip at the Grand Awards ceremony at Sandy Point State Park on September 10th.
     Fishing conditions on the Chesapeake have improved in regards to wind and stained water lately; water temperatures in the middle bay region are over 60-degrees now. Most of the striped bass spawning is now over in the Choptank, Nanticoke, Patuxent and Potomac Rivers. Last to go off is the upper bay and fish there were reported to be spawning in the Elk River over the weekend. Water temperatures in the upper bay near the mouth of the Susquehanna River have been holding around 57-degrees lately.

Maryland Fisheries Service to Host Regulatory Scoping Meeting in Annapolis

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. on May 9 in the Fellowship Hall at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis to present and obtain input on several regulatory ideas, including:
* Possible changes to the current commercial female blue crab closure periods and catch limits.
* A new regulation for egregious or repeat crab or striped bass violations related to using illegal gear, harvesting during a closed season, harvesting from a closed area, exceeding harvest catch or size limits and violating, tagging and reporting requirements. This action will also add oyster poaching penalties.
* Elimination of a regulation that prohibits the commercial harvest of blue crabs on the second and third Thursdays in November.
* Removal of the requirement to list a vessel number on a commercial crabbing license.
* A clarification that all recreational crab pots are required to be marked with owner’s name and address.
* Allowing temporary transfers of frozen and male only limited crab harvester licenses.
* A clarification that oyster taxes only apply to oysters caught in the public commercial fishery.
* A requirement of an individual to declare their intent to commercially harvest clams.
* Create consistency between regulations for the black sea bass, summer flounder and horseshoe crab commercial fisheries and allow some flexibility in coastal commercial permitting.
* To prohibit all recreational and commercial fishing for river herring beginning January 1, 2012.
* To allow leasing in sanctuaries on non-historic natural oyster bars.
     Additional information on these agenda items is available at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/draftregulations.asp
     Regulatory Scoping Meetings are held to discuss possible changes to fishing rules. Draft regulatory ideas are posted on the Fisheries’ Service website and comments are taken by email, fax, or mail by a specified date and at the Public Scoping Meeting. Based upon public input, the Department will determine whether or not to proceed with these regulatory ideas, as presented or modified, by submitting a proposed regulation.
     Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request.
     You may submit comments on these regulatory ideas by going to the Fisheries Draft Regulations Website, faxing them to 410-260-8310 or mailing them to Fisheries Regulations, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Ave., B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.