DNR Announces 2nd Annual Snakehead Contest

Catch a snakehead and win a prize worth up to $200

     Annapolis, Md. -- Anglers who catch a snakehead fish could win prizes worth up to $200 in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) second annual snakehead contest. Anyone who removes at least one of the invasive, non-native fish from the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed has the chance to walk away with prizes from Bass Pro Shops at Arundel Mills, the Maryland Park Service, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. To enter, an angler should submit catch details and a photo of their dead snakehead online through the DNR Angler’s log, a popular social fishing site, at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/log.asp.

     “We do not want snakeheads in our waters,” said DNR Inland Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “This initiative is a way to remind anglers that it is important to catch and remove this invasive species of fish.”

     The Northern snakehead is a non-native, invasive species that someone illegally introduced to the Potomac River. Since its introduction, the population has expanded because of the fish’s ability to adapt to the ecosystem. Snakeheads now prowl the Potomac River and many of its tributaries from Great Falls to the mouth of the river. Anglers have found the fish as far away as the Rhode and Nanticoke Rivers. As top predators, they rely on other species for food and could negatively impact the ecosystem and other valuable fish populations.

     “These fish clobber any type of moving bait you throw,” said Rodney Hose of Lexington Park, who won the Bass Pro Shops gift card in last year’s contest. “When they smash into your lure, be prepared for a fight- especially if they are around some sort of cover.”

     Hose caught his winner along the Occoquan River shoreline in September.

     Three lucky anglers will win from a random drawing. The prizes include a $200 gift card from Bass Pro Shops, a Maryland State Passport, which provides unlimited day-use entry for up to ten passengers in a vehicle, unlimited boat launching at State Park facilities and a 10 percent discount on State-operated concessions and boat rentals, or a Potomac River Fisheries Commission fishing license. DNR staff will randomly draw the winner on November 30, 2012.

     The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing an embroidered “Snakehead Control” ball cap for anglers who report tagged snakeheads through the (800) 448-8322 line.

     To learn how to identify and kill a snakehead, watch a short video at, http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/bass/index.asp.

     “We don’t expect that anglers will eradicate the snakehead population,” said Joe Love, DNR Tidal Bass program manager. “We do believe this promotion and inspiration of anglers can help control the snakehead population. The information we gain from the Angler’s Log reports are also helpful in assessing the abundance, spread and impact of these feisty fish.”

     DNR reminds anglers that it is illegal to possess a live northern snakehead in Maryland. Additionally, Federal law prohibits the transport of live snakeheads into the U.S. or across State lines.

Maryland Fishing Report by DNR Biologist Keith Lockwood

     Oxford, Md. -- It would seem old Mother Nature decided to take a few steps backward in regard to the advance of spring this week and they may be a good thing in regards to adjusting nature's clock. Perhaps this cold front that is sitting upon us will set things straight with spawning runs of striped bass and other andromous fish such as hickory shad and river herring and things will get back to a more normal schedule. One fishery that is certainly on schedule is the traditional opening day of trout season this coming Saturday in the put and take areas. Fisheries crews and the volunteers that help spread the fish out have been busy stocking trout in your favorite fishing waters.

     Water temperatures in the lower Susquehanna River and flats area are holding around 50- 55-degrees depending where one is. Local fishing guides report that a group of striped bass arrived a little more than a week ago and seemed to have nosed into the Elk River where water temperatures may have been suitable for spawning and catch and release fishing is off limits. Fishermen have been trolling with crankbaits, casting jigs, crankbaits and bottom fishing with cut bait in the lower Susquehanna and flats area without much success lately, very few striped bass have been caught and released to date. Usually not all the fish in a spawning population arrive at the same time so there certainly is hope that more striped bass are headed up the bay and due to arrive shortly.

     The white perch have been thinning out in the lower Susquehanna River and upper bay tributaries and moving out into the upper bay area. Channel catfish are plentiful in the region and hickory shad have begun to show up in sufficient numbers to provide some good catch and release fishing late in the afternoons at the Deer Creek area. Chances are that this weekend will be a good time to catch them.

     In general white perch are moving down the tidal rivers of the Chesapeake to settle in to areas that traditionally hold them in late spring and summer. White perch are still being reported at Fletcher's on the Potomac near Washington D.C. but fishing with bloodworms in the lower sections of most other tidal rivers may get you into some nice perch. Fishermen are catching them at Sandy Point State Park and other areas around the bay such as the Bill Burton Fishing Pier on the lower Choptank River.

     Water temperatures in the mid-bay area are running around 50-degrees this week and fishermen have been practicing a little catch and release out along the shipping channel edges by trolling large parachutes and bucktails. The warm water discharge at Calvert Cliffs Power Plant has also been drawing light tackle fishermen to try their luck at jigging near the discharge for striped bass.

     Freshwater fishermen who love their largemouth bass could hardly have better catch and release fishing than right now. Conditions seem to be perfect; largemouth bass are in an aggressive and hungry pre-spawn mode of activity and are hitting just about anything from topwater lures to grub jigs. The bass are cruising near all kinds of cover ranging from underwater ledges and drop-offs to emerging grass beds. 

     Trout fishermen are getting geared up for the big opener this Saturday in the Put and Take areas where fisheries biologist have been busy stocking trout. All manner of fishermen from the fly fishermen in waders to the young fishermen in sneakers will be trying their luck in the hopes of taking a few trout home with them. Powerbait is perhaps one of the best baits for fishing for stocked trout; it seems like candy to them, they just can't resist. Most trout fishermen spent quite a bit of time enjoying the pre-season stockings at many of the put and take waters earlier in the month and late February. The special catch and release trout management areas continue to provide wonderful catch and release opportunities for fishermen not concerned about taking fish home.

     Fishermen in the Ocean City area are beginning to see some surf action as a few bluefish and striped bass are being caught this week by fishermen using bait. Skates and dogfish are out there also ready to chew up baits. Tautog continue to move inside the inlet and fishermen are finding fishing improving as water temperatures reach 54-degrees. Offshore the boats heading out to the inshore wreck and artificial reef sites are finding large tautog for their customers.

Boat Launch Opening at Jennings Randolph Lake

     Jennings Randolph Lake, W.Va. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to open the boat launch on the West Virginia shore of Jennings Randolph Lake March 31 at 8 a.m.  The launch is located alongside
Howell Run, just off West Virginia State Route 46, three miles north of Elk Garden, W.Va.
     The Corps charges visitors a $3 fee for launching a boat from its boat launch. An annual pass, which allows an unlimited number of launches at all Corps recreation areas, is on sale for $30 at the Corps park office.
     The park office is located on the West Virginia side of the lake; follow the signs from West Virginia Route 46E. Holders of the Golden Age Passports (for senior citizens 62 and over), America the Beautiful Senior Passes, America the Beautiful Access Passes and Golden Access Passports (for the physically challenged) are allowed to purchase a Corps annual boat launch pass for half price or pay $1.50 per launch at the Corps’ boat launch only.
     The boat launch on the Maryland shore of Jennings Randolph, managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, also will open March 31. The launch is on Mt. Zion Road off Maryland State Route 135, near the salt shed on Backbone Mountain.
     The 2012 Maryland State Forest and Park Service All Season Pass can be purchased for $75 for Maryland residents or $100 for out-of-state residents. The pass can be purchased at all Maryland State Parks. The pass offers free day-use entry for everyone in a vehicle (up to 10 people) to Maryland’s state parks and Cedarville State Forest. This pass allows unlimited boat launching at all State Park facilities by displaying it on your dashboard; and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concession items and boat rentals. For parks with honor box systems, the pass covers entry service charges.
     Both the Corps annual pass and the Maryland All Season pass are valid at either boat launch on Jennings Randolph Lake.
     For more information, call the Corps’ park office at 304-355-2346 or 301-359-3861, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.  For information on the Maryland DNR boat launch, call the Herrington Manor & Swallow Falls State Park at 301-334-9180, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Fishing Fair Today and Tomorrow at Solomons Firehouse

     Solomons, Md. -- Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association Southern Maryland Chapter 19th Annual Fishing Fair is being held at the Solomons Firehouse today, March 24, and tomorrow at the Solomons Firehouse. The show runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
      Over 80 indoor and outdoor vendors are at the show with fishing tackle and supplies, new and used boats, door prizes and food and drink.
      Admission is $3. Kids 12 and under are free. Find out more at http://www.mssasmc.com.

Registration Opens For 29th Championship on the Chesapeake

    Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association will host its 29th annual spring tournament, Championship on the Chesapeake, May 4-6.

     The tournament will feature an awards ceremony and party on Thursday, May 10. The menu will include fresh fried and baked chicken, tossed salad, mashed potatoes, vegetables, assorted desserts, coffee, iced tea, lemonade, water & draft beer included, plus a cash bar.

     Captains will be admitted for free and the cost for crew, family and friends will be $15 per person.

     The awards party will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge, 2 Pythian Drive, Edgewater, Maryland.

     For more information on the party and the tournament, call 410-255-5535 or visit http://www.mssa.net.

Chestertown VFD to Host Fishing Flea Market

  Chestertown, Md. -- The Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company is holding a Fishing Flea Market on Saturday, March 31 beginning at 9 a.m. at the fire station, located at 211 Maple Avenue. There will be new and used fishing tackle and equipment for sale as well as crabbing supplies, nautical and wildlife art, and marine electronics.

     If you want to sell some old gear, or need more information, contact Fire Company President Trey Blackiston at 410-708-5859 or treyblackiston@yahoo.com.

Record Blue Catfish Caught on the Potomac

     Fort Washington, Md. -- Shawn Wetzel, 27, of Orrtana, Pennsylvania, caught a whopping 80-pound, 12-ounce blue catfish on February 23 in the Potomac River near Fort Washington. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the blue catfish was a new state record, annihilating the previous record holder by 13 pounds.

     “The rod went down hard, and I knew it was something big,” said Wetzell. “At one point, I was on my knees trying to lift the fish, and my back was burning.”

     The previous record fish weighed just over 67 pounds and was caught in 2008 by Ron Lewis in the Potomac not far from where Wetzel caught his fish.

     Blue catfish are native to the Mississippi River Valley and were introduced to the James and Rappahannock Rivers in the 1970s. Since then, the fish have reproduced and spread throughout the tidal Potomac River system. Flathead catfish, another non-native invasive species, and blue catfish have subsequently turned up in the Nanticoke, Susquehanna and Northeast Rivers, Upper Chesapeake Bay and other waters.

     “We recognize the enthusiasm and economic impact of anglers in search of record catfish,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director, Tom O’Connell. “However, we don’t want to encourage the development and spread of this species. As top predators, they are a serious threat to native species, which provide ecological and economic benefits to the region.”

     Blue and flathead catfish are invasive, non-native species that are long-lived, fast growing and opportunistic feeders. Consequently, State and Federal fisheries managers are concerned about their affect on the ecosystem, and are working together to develop strategies to mitigate their impact.

     The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Sustainable Fisheries Goal Team, which includes representatives from Virginia, Maryland, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, District of Columbia, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, recently adopted a Chesapeake Bay blue and flathead catfish policy to reduce these catfish populations and to stem their spread.

     Anglers should know that it is illegal to transport live blue and flathead catfish for the purpose of introduction into another body of water. Additionally, DNR officials are asking anglers to remove and kill any blue and flathead catfish that they catch. This is a fishery where the practice of catch and release is discouraged by resource managers.