Maryland Fishing Report by Fisheries Biologist Keith Lockwood

     Annapolis, Md. -- It was a very interesting weekend for sure and I hope that all of you faired through it without too many problems. Over here on the eastern shore we received a lot of wind and rain causing problems with downed trees, flooded roads and houses built in flood plains. I was working the Fisheries booth at the state fair in Timonium on Friday and when I started to get close to Route 50 on my way home, I couldn't help but feel empathy for all those attempting to head west. The bumper to bumper traffic stretched all the way to Easton. As I crossed the Bay Bridge I noticed a line of small boats headed for the ramps at Sandy Point State Park to be hauled out as a safety measure. There was even a convoy of YP (Yard Patrol) boats from the Naval Academy headed north to the safety of Baltimore I suspect.
     Irene did a good job of stirring up the bay and ocean waters and fishing should begin to show changes from the stretch of summer doldrums we've experienced due to high water temperatures. Water temperatures are on a downward move into the seventies and saltwater and freshwater fish will begin to become more active. If you find yourself in cloudy water conditions when fishing think of dark colored lures, lures with rattles and spinners that send vibrations through the water to help fish locate your offerings.
     A look at the Conowingo Dam shows mid-day power generation that is within normal releases; although waters are discolored to some degree fishing in the upper reaches of the bay show promise. Water temperatures are slowly decreasing and are now holding around 78-degrees. Fishing below the dam hole should improve with these water releases and the cooler water temperatures for striped bass and smallmouth bass as well. White perch fishing has been good in the lower Susquehanna and tidal rivers and creeks of the upper bay. Fishing for striped bass tends to focus around chumming and chunking at the Love Point area and to a lesser degree near channel edges near the mouth of the Magothy and around Hart/Miller Island.
     Trolling is a good option along channel edges and structure with medium sized spoons, bucktails and swim shads in tandem or behind umbrella rigs. Live lining, jigging and chunking near the pier bases at the Bay Bridge also has been productive this week.
     Middle bay region fishermen are finding Spanish mackerel all the way up to the Bloody Point area by briskly trolling small Drone spoons behind inline weights or planers. Slower trolling speeds offer the opportunity to catch striped bass. Most of the bluefish in the middle bay region are still in the 12" size range although a few 18" bluefish show up now and then. The False Channel is still holding striped bass and fishermen got right back into the saddle right after Irene passed by and winds calmed. Spot are still available in shallower waters and are being live lined or chunked on the channel edge at the False Channel. Breaking fish composed of a mix of striped bass, small bluefish and Spanish mackerel are being spotted throughout the region and there is plenty of action this week.
     Fishing for white perch and spot continues to be good in Eastern Bay, Hackett's Bar and the lower sections of most of the tidal rivers in the region. Croaker fishing along channel edges in the evening or deep during the day seems to be tapering off. Cooling water temperatures have spurred the shallow water fishery for striped bass and white perch along the shorelines of the bay and tidal rivers. Casting surface lures, jerkbaits, swim shads or spinnerbaits is a great way to enjoy some early morning or evening action.
     Fishermen in the lower bay region are finding plenty of striped bass holding at the Gas Docks with an appetite for live spot within a day of Irene's passing. The shallows of the Patuxent are holding a good supply of spot so most private and charter boats have been anchoring up to form a fleet on any given day. Breaking fish composed of striped bass, Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be found chasing bay anchovies throughout the entire region. Casting metal into the melee is always fun and jigging underneath is a good way to find the larger striped bass. Trolling nearby at a good clip with small Drone spoons behind inline weights or planers is a good way to catch Spanish mackerel. Fishermen are reporting there are some larger bluefish in the vicinity of the Middle Grounds and large red drum are being caught and released from the Middle Grounds up to Hooper's Island. Fishing for a mix of large spot, croakers and flounder continues to be good in the Tangier Sound area.
     The few recreational crabbers that have been on the water after Irene reported that they were not disappointed with the crabs they caught from the Elk River south to Crisfield. Just about everyone reported the crabs were hungry, a lot of small ones and that crabs are fattening up.
     The waters of western Maryland escaped most of the heavy rain that the eastern side of the state encountered, so most areas were running clear and fishing is good. Fisheries biologist Mark Toms reports that the upper Potomac is little changed from last week, still low and clear. It may have risen ever so slightly but we received more wind then rain. Temperatures have cooled into the mid to upper 70's due to cooler nights.
     Largemouth bass fishermen are finding that the bass are breaking out of the somewhat sluggish summer mode of behavior as water temperatures drop into the seventies. Largemouth bass fishing is still best in the early morning and evening hours but bass are aggressively striking a variety of lures near cover such as grass, spatterdock fields and sunken wood. Shallow running crankbaits and spinnerbaits have been good choices as well as soft plastics.
     The fishing scene in the Ocean City area is starting to bounce back fairly quickly after Irene's passing. The surf is calming down and once again fishermen are finding a mix of kingfish, small bluefish, large spot, croaker, flounder and even a few pompano in the surf on small baits. A few cobia are being caught in the surf this week by fishermen casting larger baits. Larger bluefish have been coming in through the inlet at night and a few striped bass are caught each night on swim shads or live eels. During the day flounder are the game at the inlet and the Route 50 Bridge area. In the back bay areas flounder fishing picked right up again after the storm and there is also a mix of croaker and small bluefish inside.
     Reports from boats headed out to the wreck sites for sea bass or to the canyons for offshore species are scarce so far this week. Most boat owners either hauled their boats out or used two miles of ropes to tie them to something that would hold against the wind and tidal surge. As the week progresses towards the weekend progress will be made to get back out and the traditional September white marlin bite may start as soon as this weekend.

Angler Catches State Record Longnose Gar on the Pocomoke

     Pocomoke City, Md. -- Justin Kelly, 20, of Westover, Maryland, was fishing on the Pocomoke River near Pocomoke City July 31 when he landed a state record catch. Kelly reeled in a 17-pound, 49-inch longnose gar using a metal leader with a live bluegill for bait.
     "When the fish got close, I thought we were going to need a bigger net," Kelly said.
     Realizing the its large size, Kelly took his catch to the nearest Maryland Fishing Challenge award center. The center measured and weighed the fish, then checked the Maryland Fishing Guide to find that it exceeded the 36-inch minimum angler award size and broke the previous state record of 16 pounds for longnose gar. Keith Lockwood, a biologist with the Maryland DNR, examined the fish and certified the catch.
     The longnose gar's ancestry dates back to among the most primitive of species. This brackish water fish features a long, cylindrical body with tough scales and rows of large, sharp teeth. Its bony mouth makes it difficult to catch.
     Kelly is now one of Maryland's more than 90 fishing record holders. He will also join Maryland's other angler award winners on September 10 at the Maryland Fishing Challenge Grand Finale event during the 44th annual Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park.

Kids Can Join the Club for Free with the Maryland DNR

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has opened its virtual doors to a free online fishing clubhouse for anglers between the ages of 5 and 15.
     “This fishing club is a fun and helpful way to instill a sense of community and environmental stewardship in young anglers and their families,” said DNR’s Fisheries Director Tom O’Connell.
     The club will allow DNR to interact with young anglers and their mentors to promote upcoming youth events across Maryland, share fishing stories on the youth angler’s log and access dependable information on how to succeed in fishing.
     “We eventually hope to learn from our young anglers what works for them in developing an appreciation for the outdoors, so we may better support them in their endeavors,” said Letha Grimes, the club’s coordinator.
     Membership in the Maryland Youth Fishing Club is free and subject to parental approval. New members will receive a Maryland Youth Fishing Club Patch and access to helpful information from DNR and experts from partner fishing organizations across the State.
     To join the Maryland Youth Fishing Club visit dnr.maryland.gov/keepfishing.
    For more information, contact Letha Grimes at lgrimes@dnr.state.md.us.

Anglers Can Access DNR Information with New App

     Annapolis, Md. -- The new mobile web application is a slimmed down version of the Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Service Official Web Site. The mobile web app works on a broad range of mobile devices, these include iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, WebOS, and BlackBerryOS 6.0+. To access the mobile web app point your device's browser to http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/mobile. The application is designed for folks on the go who demand information at their finger tips.
Main Features:


Today Screen

Once the app is turned on the user will be greeted with a Today screen. The screen shows upcoming events, recent news, Angler's Logs, and the most recent Maryland Fishing Challenge Citation Award winners. The menu is accessed by clicking the icon at the top of the page.
Fishing Reports
This section has the Weekly Overview by Keith Lockwood, Angler's Logs submitted by local anglers around the state, and a button that allows you to submit an angler's log of your own.

Tide Finder
The Tide Finder will serve up to 14 days of information for more than 100 sites around the Chesapeake, Potomac, and Ocean.

Regulations
The app gives users access to recreational fishing regulations for all Maryland managed species. Users may also click on more than one species/regulation at a time for comparison.

News & Updates
Have access to Fishery Service News and Updates at any time. Keep up to date with new regulations, fishing hot spots, and fresh topics from Maryland DNR Staff.

Maryland Fishing Challenge
Gain entry to the latest news, Citation Award Winners, eligible species and length requirements, and a map showing all of the 70+ Fishing Challenge Citation Award Center Locations.

Events Calendar
View upcoming Fisheries related events on the calendar.

Programs & Staff
Not sure who to call? Query Fisheries Programs for names and contact information.

Global Search
Tap the search button on the top green bar and you will be presented with a search box. From here you can type in a species and view all regulations, news stories, Angler's Logs, Fisheries Service staff contact, and state records for the species you searched for.

All information is accessible with the Fisheries Service Mobile Web (except on Windows 7) by visiting http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/mobile. Don't forget to bookmark and add to your device's home screen!

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report by Keith Lockwood

     Annapolis, Md. -- Fishermen are finding that fishing has settled into a typical summer pattern in the freshwater and Chesapeake Bay regions. Warm water temperatures and sunny conditions are offering some challenging but exciting freshwater fishing conditions for trout, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Striped bass in the Chesapeake waters tend to get finicky and on the move now that water temperatures in the bay have reached the 80-degree mark in many areas. Fishing offshore at Ocean City just gets better as the ocean temperatures rise and fishermen are experiencing some of the best fishing for tuna and marlin in recent memory. The sight of this beautiful white marlin alongside the boat is a lasting memory and treasure for any fisherman.
     A new batch of striped bass were tagged last week for the July component of Diamond Jim and one of these fish is worth a whopping $20,000. An exciting change to this year's Diamond Jim event is the fact that even the tagged imposter fish are eligible to split the grand prize. There are some exciting prizes up for grabs also for any fishermen who register their catch that meets the minimum size requirements for a wide variety of species; check the following link for details. www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/challenge/index.asp.
     Upper bay region fishermen are finding a typical pattern of summer chumming success at the Love Point area this week. The action there is best on a morning tide with the best fish being caught on fresh menhaden baits close to the bottom. Most of the action in the chum slick tends to be predominately sub-legal striped bass in the 15" category. Farther up the bay at the Conowingo Dam Pool a few legal sized striped bass are being caught at dawn by fishermen casting crankbaits, swim shads and live bait such as white perch and eels. There are plenty of channel catfish spread throughout the region in the upper reaches of the bay and its tidal rivers. White perch can be found on oyster lumps in the bay and also in the tidal creeks. Recreational crabbers are finding increasing numbers of crabs in the tidal creeks and rivers.
     The Bay Bridge has been a focal point for fishermen looking for larger striped bass that congregate near the bridge piers lately. The fish like the structure and wait for the tidal currents to sweep food items past the piers. Casting various types of soft plastic jigs, bucktails and metal near the bases of the piers can be a very effective way to catch some nice fish. Depth finders are very helpful in locating which piers are holding fish. Chumming can work at times and chunking or live lining spot are also good choices for fishing.
     Live lining spot has taken center stage now in the middle bay region as the supply of spot has become more abundant. The spot can be located in the shallower areas of the tidal rivers and transported to channel edges that are holding striped bass; typically the striped bass are holding in about 35' of water close to the bottom. The False Channel has been a favorite spot lately; especially since the supply of spot are close by, just off the channel at the #9 Green Buoy. The edges of the Hill and Thomas Point have been other places striped bass have also been holding periodically. Now that the heat of summer is upon us fishermen will often find the fish are moving quite frequently. Trolling is a good alternative at times and a mix of bucktails dressed with soft plastics and spoons can work well. Most captains are running inline weights or planers now since the fish are holding close to the bottom. Bluefish have not moved into the region in any appreciable numbers yet so soft plastics and live spot have a good chance of lasting a while.

July 4th is a Free Fishing Day in Maryland

     Annapolis, Md. -- Each year the state of Maryland encourages new anglers and visitors to sample the state’s excellent fishing opportunities by fishing without licenses on the first two Saturdays of June and on July 4th.
     “This is an excellent opportunity to check out the exceptional fishing that Maryland offers,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “I encourage everyone to take their families and friends to our abundant streams, lakes, rivers, ponds, and bays for some quality time. Consider spreading your passion for fishing by introducing a new angler to the sport.”
     Free-fishing anglers must adhere to minimum size and creel limits for the 62 species that are managed by DNR, of course.
     Fishing regulations and a downloadable copy of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Guide are available online at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/regindex.asp. Copies of the 2011 Fishing Guide are also available at most tackle shops and at the seven DNR Service Centers around the state.
     Anglers fishing on state free fishing days do not need to register with the National Saltwater Angler registry.
     DNR Service Center information is available at dnr.maryland.gov/service/center.asp. For information on the National Saltwater Angler Registry go to dnr.maryland.gov/swregistry.asp.
     DNR encourages anglers of all ages to share photos of and information about the fish they catch by reporting through the DNR Angler’s Log—dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/log.

Diamond Jim Now Worth $20,000

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources joined junior anglers on June 30 to catch, tag and release a second round of up to 200 specially tagged striped bass, including one genuine Diamond Jim – currently worth $20,000 — into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as part of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge.
     “Now in its seventh year, the Maryland Fishing Challenge showcases Maryland’s excellent fishing, featuring accessible, affordable, diverse and high quality opportunities for anglers of all ages,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “We hope to further encourage Marylanders to get outside and enjoy the water.”
     The first batch of Diamond Jim fish were released in June. This second round brings the number of imposters, worth $500 each, to about 400. A final group of approximately 200 fish will be released in August. This year, for the first time, DNR is guaranteeing a $25,000 payout. If no one catches an authentic Diamond Jim, the $25,000 will be split among those who caught the $500 imposters.
     The Maryland Fishing Challenge Citation Award program runs all year long, starting the day after Labor Day and ending the following Labor Day. There are 71 qualifying species in the program. Every angler who catches an award-qualifying fish or a Diamond Jim 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.
     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.
     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.
     For information on the Maryland Seafood Festival, go to www.MDseafoodfestival.com.
     Note: If you catch a tagged fish, do not remove the tag. Put the fish in your freezer and call the number printed on the tag. A DNR representative will follow up to examine and certify the tag. The Diamond Jim component of this year’s challenge ends at midnight on September 5.