Yellow Perch Run Begins

 Perryville, MD -- The recreational yellow perch fishing season for shoreline anglers should kick off all over the Maryland tidewater region this weekend as water temperatures in the tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake begin to warm.
  “The abundance of yellow perch creates a fantastic, fun fishing opportunity,” said Tom O’Connell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service Director. “It’s a chance for Marylanders and their families to get out and enjoy the outdoors, as well as reap the benefits of a fisheries management success story.”
  The resurgence of Maryland's historically and culturally important yellow perch fishery is due in part to the effective management of DNR management decisions. DNR biologists worked in cooperation with stakeholder organizations such as the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland, and DNR's fishery advisory groups.
  Yellow perch are found in 10- to 30-foot depths in many rivers of the bay in preparation for their spawning run. Water temperatures in the tributaries are now in the upper 30s and will soon hit the 40 degree threshold, which will trigger the start of yellow perch spawning. Anglers are enjoying spectacular fishing for yellow perch in several locations, including the Cedars in Allen's Fresh, the channel edge off the Logan's Wharf condominiums at Perryville on the Susquehanna River, Northeast River, Nanjemoy Creek, and the deep holes in the Chester River near Crumpton.
  “This, by far, is the absolute best yellow perch fishing we’ve had out here in years,” said Captain Mike Benjamin from Herb’s Tackle Shop in Northeast. “The yellow perch fishing in The Susquehanna River is as good as I’ve ever seen it."
  Yellow Perch will begin moving from the deeper, staging areas to the shallow waters as the weather warms this weekend. This will give recreational anglers the opportunity to fish from the shoreline. The first locations will likely be the southern hot spots then quickly move north. Anglers can find their local hotspot at these websites:
  Eastern Shore Hotspots — http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/ypercheast.html
  Western Shore Hot Spots — http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/yperchwest.html
  Yellow perch fishing is open year round with a nine-inch minimum size and ten fish per day limits in tidal waters. Fishing for yellow perch is the perfect family activity. A minimal investment in gear, rod, reel, size 10 hooks, bobbers and a bucket of minnows will provide you with the essentials. On March 5, Yellow Perch Appreciation Day will be held at the North East Town Park, a state free-fishing area where fishing licenses are not required. Prizes will be awarded.
  DNR welcomes yellow perch anglers to join the online volunteer angler survey— www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/ to support the agency’s goal of sustainable fisheries management. Register your targeted yellow perch trip information to win a chance for an ultra light rod and reel outfit from Bass Pro Shops. Angler’s can also share their catch on DNR’s Angler’s Log www.dnr.Maryland.gov/fisheries/log.

Coastal Conservation Association Creates Endowment Fund

  Annapolis, MD -- The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) today is announcing creation of an endowment fund that will support habitat and educational projects, among other activities. The CCA MD Habitat/Education Fund is being kicked off tonight at the Greater Washington Chapter Banquet and Auction in Bethesda, MD.
  “Our goal is to improve habitat in the Chesapeake Bay and educate people about the value and importance of marine resources through this fund,” said CCA MD Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “It will allow recreational anglers, conservation-minded citizens, corporations, businesses, and others to make tax deductible contributions to protect and improve our valuable resource.”
  Eric Whisenhunt, a member of the Greater Washington Chapter, will chair the fund, and a board will be appointed next month. The fund has a goal of $500,000 in its first three years.
  The initial intent of the fund is to support such activities as habitat restoration, creation of oyster reefs, conservation projects, studies, and scholarships for students studying fields such as marine biology, according to Friedrich. However, he emphasized that plans are still evolving and decisions will be eventually made by the fund’s board. Projects are not likely to be funded until a significant portion of the $500,000 goal is in place, Friedrich said.
  Donations may be sent to CCA MD Habitat/Education Fund, P.O. Box 513, Easton, MD 21601. More information can be obtained and pledges can be made by contacting the CCA MD state office, tony@ccamd.org.
  The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 17 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.

DNR Reopens Gill Net Season for 2 Days

  Annapolis, MD -- Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the 2011 commercial gill net season will be re-opened for two days, Friday, Feb. 25, and Monday, Feb. 28. The Department indicated opening the season for only two days would not threaten the fishing mortality rate nor would it risk the harvest going over the quota.
  DNR had closed the season early in February after illegal nets were found in several locations resulting in the harvest of more than 10 tons of striped bass. Additional illegal nets and striped bass have been discovered since that announcement with the latest being Wednesday.
  The Natural Resources Police will saturate waters on that Friday and Monday to check on compliance with the law, and DNR staff will monitor check-in stations where the striped bass are brought to the commercial market.
  The Department also stated that recent events have shown there are issues that must be resolved in the gill net fishery and invited stakeholder groups, including the commercial industry, to develop reforms that would improve accountability.
  “Naturally with the recent record of illegal activities in the gill net fishery we would have preferred that the season remained closed,” said CCA Maryland Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “However, the steps that both DNR and NRP are taking to enforce the law, reform the practice and protect the resource are positive. CCA MD looks forward to the process of reform, and will be watching closely to see whether future gill net fishing can be conducted in accordance with the law.”
  Earlier this month CCA MD put forth a motion at the Sport Fish Advisory Commission meeting which was approved unanimously by the commissioners. The motion stated that the season should remain closed until the Department is able to conclusively demonstrate that illegal gill net fishing is under control,that illegal gill net fishing is under control.

Members respond to Talbot County court case
  Approximately 75 CCA MD members contacted Talbot County State’s Attorney Richard Patterson calling for aggressive prosecution on a case against a waterman charged with repeated violations of oyster laws. The waterman was found guilty but given a reduced penalty. Richard Fluharty was charged with oystering with a suspended license and possessing unculled/undersized oysters. He was given a $1,000 fine and a 60-day jail sentence, 50 days of which were suspended.
  Friedrich was quoted in the Baltimore Sun this morning saying, "CCA Maryland is floored that this habitual offender got nothing more than a slap on the wrist."

Virginia Saltwater License Good for 365 Days

Saltwater Licenses now Valid for 365 Days
   Newport News, VA -- The 54th annual Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, which opened January 1, 2011 and runs throughout the year, will see no modifications in its popular Citation program. “The Tournament Committee felt the current Citation standards were at appropriate levels, but did discuss lowering the Citation weight minimum for spadefish. After a careful discussion, the Committee requested a more detailed review of spadefish be provided for their next annual meeting when they will again consider lowering the minimum weight for spadefish,” stated Tournament Director Lewis Gillingham.
  The Tournament Committee made major changes to the Program in 2004, instituting release Citations for all species and increasing the qualifying minimums for more than a dozen species. In recent years, the Committee has attempted to fine tune individual minimum qualifying weights and lengths to coincide with historical trophy-fish standards.
  Other popular programs administered by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, such as the Junior Angler Program, and the Expert and Master Angler programs, will return unchanged in 2011. The Junior Angler Program challenges children less than 16 years of age to catch and release six species of saltwater fish. To qualify as an Expert Angler a fisherman must register fish in at least six different species for Citation awards during the year. Master Angler requirements are 25 Citations (with a maximum of one per species per year) in at least five different species over an unlimited period of time starting in 1996.
  On another note, anglers should check their current saltwater fishing license for its expiration date before heading out on the water in 2011, as saltwater fishing licenses are now valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Anglers must have a valid Virginia saltwater fishing license.
New for 2011, those anglers 16 years of age and older but not required to purchase a saltwater fishing license (such as over 65 or fishing on another angler’s licensed vessel) must register with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (it is free and can be done online at www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP ).
  Anglers are also advised to pay attention to all 2011 fishery regulations as they are announced. All applicable fisheries regulations must be adhered to and a saltwater fishing license is required for Tournament participation. In addition, anglers fishing the territorial sea south of the Virginia border for striped bass are reminded these are North Carolina waters and anglers must have a valid North Carolina saltwater fishing license. Virginia does not have a reciprocity agreement with North Carolina and the Virginia saltwater license will not be accepted in North Carolina waters.
  The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament is a program of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission funded with revenues from Virginia's saltwater fishing license. The Tournament offers handsome wooden wall Citation plaques or album sized certificates for 35 species of saltwater fish which meet minimum criteria. The Tournament operates all year. For more information, contact Lewis S. Gillingham, Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2600 Washington Avenue, Third Floor, Newport News, VA 23607, (757) 491-5160, (757)247-8014 (fax), or vswft@mrc.virginia.gov.

MSSA to Have Weigh Station at Bay Bridge Boat Show

  Stevensville, MD -- United States Yacht Shows has announced an agreement with the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association to include a fishing tournament weigh station at the 2011 Bay Bridge Boat Show, April 28-May 1.
  The MSSA annually produces the largest rockfish tournament in the nation. The weigh station will be located on a floating dock off the promenade in the center of the show area, and will be sponsored by AllTackle. AllTackle will operate the station as well as hosting casting challenges for all ages, and “guess the fish’s weight” competitions. A full schedule of entertaining events will be produced for anglers of all ages.
  Information on the boat show is available at usboat.com. Find out more about MSSA at mssa.net.

Anglers Asked to Report Tagged Fish in Middle River

  Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service has partnered with the Maryland Bass Federation Nation and Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. to hatch, raise, tag and release fish into the Middle River, near Baltimore. DNR biologists are monitoring and compiling information on these tagged fish in response to angler reports of disappointing largemouth bass fishing in the river.
  DNR is asking anglers to report any tagged fish caught and report the date, tag number, length of the fish and catch location. This tag-based study will hopefully provide answers about fish behavior and the movement of fish out of Middle River.
  “This is an excellent example of how anglers, industry and scientists can work together to develop good data and improve fishing. And we can do it while adding even more inspiration to go out and enjoy some bass fishing,” said Joe Love, DNR’s Tidal Bass Manager.
  Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc., a solid waste to energy conversion company with operations in 17 cities, has maintained aquaculture at its facility near M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore since 1986. Since 2006, DNR has provided about 5,000 juvenile bass a year to raise in the Wheelabrator fish tanks. When the fish grow large enough, DNR staff release them into Middle River. In October 2010, a little over 1,000 juveniles were released into the Middle River.
  In 2009 and 2010, Domino Foods, the operator of the Domino sugar plant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, paid to purchase mature largemouth bass through the Maryland Bass Federation Nation Conservation Program for release into Middle River. In October 2010, Maryland Bass Federation Nation members worked with DNR to release 165 mature fish into the river. The mature largemouth bass were tagged by DNR technicians prior to releasing. Once released, largemouth bass adults tend to remain on site for a few days before exploring other parts of the river. As winter approaches, the fish are likely to enter deeper water around docks and harbors. While catch-and-release angling improves the chances of a sustainable fishery in the Middle River, environmental conditions can affect whether largemouth bass ultimately stay in the Middle River or not.
  Please report tagged fish to DNR Tidal Bass Manager, Joe Love at jlove@dnr.state.md.us, (410) 260-8257 or Southern Regional Manager, Mary Groves at mgroves@dnr.state.md.us, (410) 260-8320. Other questions regarding this initiative should come to Joe Love or the Maryland Bass Federation Nation Conservation Director, Scott Sewell at nitro1707@verizon.net.

Funding Initiative Started for Diseased Stripers

  South Portland, Maine -- Stripers Forever, the conservation organization advocating for responsible stewardship of wild striped bass along the Atlantic Coast, has announced an outreach initiative to raise money for research on mycobacteriosis, a deadly fish disease that is increasingly prevalent in the Chesapeake Bay where the bulk of stripers that migrate up and down the Atlantic Coast are spawned.
  “Myco” is believed to be nearly always fatal to infected striped bass and can create serious health problems for anglers and anyone else handling those fish before they are cooked. Fishery scientists estimate that more than 75 percent of all striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay system are infected with myco. There is at present no known cure for this insidious disease which represents a major threat to the well-being of stripers and thus the future of recreational and commercial striped bass fishing from Maine to North Carolina.
  The fund raising appeal being administered by Stripers Forever is called The Mycobacteriosis Research Initiative (MRI). Donations to MRI will benefit Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the leading authority on myco. Checks should be made payable to “VIMS Foundation” (write “For Myco Research” on the memo line) and mailed to VIMS Foundation, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8779.
  A link to a secure site for credit card donations appears along with more information about myco under featured links on the left side of the Stripers Forever home page (www.stripersforever.org). All contributions are tax deductible and will go into a dedicated myco research account.
 Visitors to the site can sign up for membership in Stripers Forever at no charge.
 For more information contact:
 Ed Mitchell e-mail e.mitchell6@yahoo.com Tel. 860-529-0685

Gaines to Teach Striper Fishing at Chesapeake

  Wye Mills, Md. -- Join Capt. Richie Gaines on Saturday, March 19 at Chesapeake College for a one-day seminar on how to find and catch striped bass (rockfish) throughout the different seasons on the Chesapeake Bay. All levels of anglers are welcome!
  Fishing techniques such as trolling, chumming, live lining, and light tackle will be covered along rigging, knots, and equipment selection. Gaines will also share his knowledge on how to find and fish productive locations in the mid Bay.
  Captain Richie Gaines has been guiding anglers in the Chesapeake region for over twenty years and has earned the reputation as one of the top light tackle guides on the Bay. He fishes the Bay from the Susquehanna Flats to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, moving with the fish to follow the best bite. Gaines serves as President of the Chesapeake Guides Association, is past Chairman of the Maryland Sport Fishing Advisory Commission, and has been featured in several national fishing magazines and television shows.
  The course fee for the seminar is $52.00. Participants should bring a brown bag lunch. For registration information, contact Marci Leach at mleach@chesapeake.edu or call 410-827-5833.

Life Jackets Keep Fishermen Alive

  St. Leonard, Md. -- The Maryland Natural Resources Police credited life jackets to saving the lives of three fisherman after their vessel capsized. The accident occurred at 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 10 in the Chesapeake Bay at the Calvert Cliffs Power Plant discharge.
  “The life jackets kept the men afloat in the frigid water until the nearby vessel could respond and essentially save their lives,” said NRP Sergeant Shawn Garren.
  NRP’s investigation revealed that a 21-foot center console boat capsized after a four to five foot wave came over the stern while the men were fishing. The occupants of the vessel, Kevin Lynn Gladhill, 32, of Boonsboro; Michael George Krall, 35, of Keedysville; and Russell Uger Neff III, 55, of Boonsboro, were thrown into the 30-degree water.
  A nearby fishing vessel responded to the fishermen’s calls for help. Dennis Charles Fleming, 51, of Mechanicsville and Grady Terry Warhurst, 64, of Upper Marlboro were at the scene within ten minutes and retrieved all three men from the water. The rescuing party transported the fishermen to Flag Harbor Marina in St. Leonard, where they were taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital and treated for hypothermia.
  “The affects of hypothermia were quickly affecting the victims muscles, speech and their mental awareness. One of the victims could not even remember what happened to him,” Garren said. “They wouldn’t have made it much longer.”
  NRP reminds boaters that wearing life jackets saves lives. Most accidents happen too quickly for life jackets to be an afterthought. Put on a life jacket prior to leaving the dock and wear it continually throughout the trip.
  It is also important to check the vessel and its equipment prior to every departure. The cold weather affects battery life, ices fuel lines and vessel surfaces and clogs bilge pumps. It also numbs a person’s senses, making reaction time much slower.

Trout Stocking Schedule Available

Annapolis, Md. (February 3, 2011) -- This month, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin stocking the first of approximately 327,000 rainbow and brown trout into freshwaters across the State for trout fishing enthusiasts.

“Our pre-season stocking usually starts in early February but too much ice and snow can delay things as we saw last year,” says DNR’s Assistant Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “So, watch our website or call 1-800-688-3467 for updates. I’m already getting excited about the upcoming season and the chance to catch some trout as large as seven or eight pounds.”

The stocking schedule is now online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/stocking and is also available at DNR Regional Service Centers and license vendors. DNR encourages anglers to visit the maps of stocked and special managed streams for directions and more information on trout fishing locations. Pre-season stocking usually starts in the eastern part of the State followed by the western region as the weather warms up.

In order to protect our fish populations and keep their habitat healthy, DNR reminds anglers to clean and dry their gear between streams and outings. Field and laboratory research has confirmed that the felt used for waders is an ideal medium for collecting and transporting microscopic organisms. The discovery of the invasive algae didymo on the lower Savage River shows how easily unwanted organisms can be moved between watersheds and demonstrates that anglers must be more diligent than ever. A good scrubbing with dish soap or a 5 percent salt solution is an easy way to prevent the spread of invaders such as didymo and whirling disease. Convenient wader wash stations are available at several key wild trout areas including the Gunpowder River, Savage River, the North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum area), and Big Hunting Creek.

Anglers need to be aware that a proposed Maryland regulation to prohibit felt soles in all waters is scheduled to become effective in March 2011. DNR welcomes public comment on the proposal through February 28 via email to fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us or by mail to: Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service, ATTN: Felt-Soled Wader Ban Regulation, 580 Taylor Ave., B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Illegal Gill Netting Closes Season Early

DNR, stakeholders offer reward for information leading to rockfish poachers' arrest

CCA Maryland Executive Director Tony Friedrich

Annapolis, Md. (February 4, 2011) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has shut down the February striped bass gill net season after Natural Resources Police (NRP) confiscated more than 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass in two days. NRP seized the 20,016 pounds of rockfish from four illegally anchored gill nets found near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay.

“Wanton illegal behavior cannot, will not be tolerated,” said Secretary John Griffin. “The people of Maryland have invested far too much time, effort and money into restoring striped bass, our State fish. These poachers are stealing from every Maryland citizen... including from our honest, hardworking watermen who follow the law. I particularly want to commend our dedicated Natural Resources Police officers, many of whom staked out the sites overnight, during terrible weather conditions."

Maryland’s commercial striped bass fishery is managed on a quota system, in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; the commercial gill net quota for February is 354,318 pounds.  When the illegally harvested striped bass confiscated by the NRP were deducted from the quota, DNR was forced to immediately shut down the fishery. The fishery will remain closed until DNR can determine the extent of illegal nets out on the Bay and the amount of striped bass caught in those nets.

“Watermen are allowed to catch about 300 pounds of rockfish per day. We seized 20,000 pounds. That means these poachers are stealing 66 days of work from honest watermen,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell.

CCA Maryland's Tight Lines

   
by Tony Friedrich

CCA MD Executive Director

Baltimore Sun Outdoor Writer Candus Thomson called yesterday and alerted me to what will be the largest single gill net violation in the last 25 years.  I had to see for myself, so I drove over to Matapeake State Park to watch the off load.  I saw 900 yards of illegal nets on the decks of two boats.  I saw hundreds of dead stripers, a few big mud shad, and even sea ducks being cut from this anchored wall of death.
This net was anchored, untended, was set before the opening of the season which started on February 1at 3 a.m. This illegal net and the people that set it claimed more than 6,000 pounds of striped bass, five times the amount allowed per day on a commercial vessel in the Bay.  It’s hard for people to imagine what this looks like in person, so I’ve included several images (link). 
Thankfully, these fish will not be wasted as they will be sold to raise funds for the Natural Resources Police (NPR).  However, this incident raises several key issues.  First, how many more of these nets are plaguing the Bay? There are reportedly many more illegal nets out there and the NRP are after them. What happens when many of these illegally anchored nets are abandoned once the word gets out that NRP is on the prowl?
Candus asked me, “What else can we do?”  For some time CCA has worked with the Department of Natural Resources tirelessly on this issue.   To the Department’s credit, it has answered many of our concerns by creating harsher penalties and increased enforcement.  In my experience these are the finest men and women the DNR has had on staff.   We’ve also worked closely with the Natural Resources Police and donated thousands of dollars in equipment, some of which may have used in this very same bust.  You won’t find a more committed group of people anywhere.  But they are woefully understaffed and under-equipped. They need our support now more than ever with potential budget cuts looming in the General Assembly.