Maryland Proposes Closing Striped Bass Fishing March And April

Maryland has a few proposals on the table for their fishery. The biggest one being closing striped bass season March and April. Anglers would not be allowed to target striped bass at all in that time period, essentially ending trophy season.
“The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is considering:
Putting the rules (hook requirements, sizes, and seasons) for the recreational fishery that were in place only for 2018 and 2019 into place for future years.
Changing the start of the recreational and charter boat spring season (trophy season) to May 1. The current start date is the third Saturday in April.
Prohibiting catch and release or targeting striped bass from March 1 through April 30.

The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland group seems to be fighting these changes and the science being used. I find that odd since they spent years fighting to preserve striped bass. I can understand not liking the current numbers (science) Maryland proposes to use to shut down these months, but isn’t that the point of being a conservation group? More than likely the ASMFC is going to announce that all states need to comply with an 18% reduction in striped bass to help rebuild the fishery. Shutting down the Chesapeake Bay trophy season will hurt the charter businesses to a degree, but that is the same fishery they need to protect to continue having a charter service business. I know several captains that have said … “We knew this was coming it was only a matter of time.” It isn’t like they didn’t know this would happen, they just didn’t know when. We will keep a close on eye on this and see what happens. I recommend people do the same, look up real facts, and decide for themselves. It isn’t like the government of Maryland is doing this to punish anyone, they are trying to preserve a fishery that gets hammered yearly on a daily basis. Literally doing their job.

The list of proposed changes to Maryland Fishing Regulations and what stage these proposals are at currently …

AMERICAN EEL
BLACK DRUM – Commercial Atlantic Ocean Fishery– OPEN FOR COMMENT
BLACK SEA BASS – Commercial Gear
BLUE CRABS -Clarifications– OPEN FOR COMMENT
CLAM — Hard and Soft
COMMERCIAL LICENSE TARGETSFISHERY MANAGEMENT AREASFISH REFUGES – Gumtree Cove
FISH REFUGES – Chicamuxen Creek
GEAR – Finfish TrotlinesGEAR -Fyke Nets– OPEN FOR COMMENTGEAR – Gill Nets
GEAR – Haul Seines
HORSESHOE CRABS– OPEN FOR COMMENT
LICENSING – Charter Boat Decals
NONTIDAL WATERSOUT OF STATE FINFISH SUPPLIERS– OPEN FOR COMMENT
OYSTER MANAGEMENT PLANOYSTERS – Gear Line ClarificationsOYSTERS – Harvest Reserve Areas
OYSTERS – Recreational and Commercial Rules
OYSTERS AND SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE – PSFA Declassification– OPEN FOR COMMENT
PENALTIES – 2017 and 2018 Changes
PENALTIES – Recreational– OPEN FOR COMMENT
REPORTING – Charter Boats
SCUP– OPEN FOR COMMENT
SHARKS – Recreational Fishery
SHELLFISH – Delivery of ProductSHELLFISH – Seafood Dealers
SNAKEHEAD
SNAPPER
GROUPER COMPLEX AND TILEFISH
STRIPED BASS – Commercial Declaration of Intent
STRIPED BASS – Recreational Fishery– OPEN FOR COMMENT
SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION– OPEN FOR COMMENT
TAUTOG– OPEN FOR COMMENT
YELLOW PERCH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN
YELLOW PERCH – Clarification for Coordinates

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