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Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Spring Striped Bass Season Opens Today
4/21/2012
With the spring season opener today, Maryland’s iconic striped bass, better known as rockfish, has area anglers preparing to get out on the water in hopes to reel one in. After a four-month hiatus, Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay spring striped bass season opens at 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 21 with a one fish per person, per day limit and a minimum size of 28 inches through May 15.
“The spring striped bass season is Maryland’s way of celebrating the epic return of our State fish to its natal waters,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “The third Saturday of April marks the moment when Bay anglers can test their skill and luck in pursuit of a trophy-sized rockfish.”
Striped Bass Regulations for 2012
Season dates and fish limit per angler, per day:
April 21- May 15, one fish, minimum 28 inches
- From March 1- May 15, Anglers may only fish for striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay from the Brewerton Channel to the Virginia line; this includes Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound. Fishing is not allowed in all other bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers. This regulation was established so that anglers would not disrupt striped bass spawning in these sensitive areas.
May 16- June 1, two fish, minimum 18 inches (only one of the two measuring more than 28 inches)
- DNR striped bass maps showing open fishing areas are located at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/sbmaps or page 41 of the 2012 Maryland Fishing Guide.
June 1- December 15, two fish, minimum 18 inches (only one of the two daily fish may exceed 28 inches)
- Striped bass fishing open throughout the Bay and tributaries.
“Summer is a great time for friends and family to board a Maryland charter fishing boat and go out with professionals to experience some of the best fishing the Bay offers,” said O’Connell.
Anglers who register citation size fish at any of the more than 60 Maryland Angler Award Centers across the State will receive free admission and a chance to win prizes at the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge Grand Finale. The event will take place at the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on September 8. Prizes include excellent tackle packages from Bass Pro shops and Bill’s Outdoor Center, a boat/trailer package from Tracker Marine, a vacation trip from World Fishing Network, Under Armour gear and other great prizes. More information on the Maryland Fishing Challenge, which this year honors fishing legend and author Lefty Kreh, lists of eligible fish species, sizes and Angler Award centers are available at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/index.asp.
DNR invites all anglers to assist in the fisheries management process by participating in its online Volunteer Angler Survey at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/index.asp. DNR is looking for trip information for bluefish, blue crab, striped bass, summer flounder, yellow perch and tournament largemouth bass.
DNR’s Angler’s Log is a family-friendly fishing report page where anglers can share what they are catching, fishing hotspots and techniques at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/log.asp. Anglers may sign up to receive updates on Maryland fisheries news at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/emailcontact.asp. Anglers may also follow DNR Fisheries on Facebook at facebook.com/MDDNRFisheriesService and Twitter, @MDDNRFISH.
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