MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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General​ Information

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More from DNR​​​

Blurry shapes just below the surface of the Chesapeake Bay, multiple tarpon school together in waters near Hoopers Island Lighthouse on Aug. 1. Credit: Tom Weaver​​​​
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​Anglers Report Multiple Sightings of Tarpon in Maryland Waters of Chesapeake Bay

Tarpon are known to come into the southern Chesapeake Bay in the summer, and anglers target tarpon in the coastal waters off the Eastern Shore of Virginia. But it’s usually rare for anyone to encounter a tarpon in Maryland waters
Angler Jerome Ries caught and released this 45.5″ Red Drum in the Chesapeake Bay.​​​​
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Maryland Fishin​g Report – August 7​

Opportunity is often described as a favorable or promising combination of circumstances. This certainly describes what is available for anglers in Maryland this time of the year. Hot days and the cooling effects of water with the bonus of catching fish, it’s hard to get better than that.
Maryland Biological Stream Survey staff conduct electrofishing in Frederick County. DNR photo​​​​​​​​​

Looking at Maryland’s Stream Health Over Time, DNR Report Finds Mixed Results​​​​

A Maryland Department of Natural Resources report found mixed results for the health of the state’s non-tidal streams, with some conditions getting b​etter, others worse, and some remaining the same.
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Buy Your Fishing License​​

​Our online COMPASS portal gives you 24/7 self service access to our entire product catalog of recreational licenses, permits and stamps.
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​DNR Sec. Josh Kurtz paddles a canoe at Tuckahoe State Park during a visit to the park in 2023.
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Secretary’s Message: We’re Making Progress on New Chesapeake Bay Restoration Strategy​

It has been one year since Gov. Wes Moore announced that Maryland was shifting its Chesapeake Bay cleanup strategy to align with the latest sci​ence that recommends focusing water quality improvement efforts on increasing shallow water habitat and living resources, such as populations of fish and crabs.

​Blue Catfish illustration by Duane Raver
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The Blue Catfish Problem​​​

Blue catfish are large, fast predators that can ​​​spread quickly and take over ecosystems. They haven’t been here long, but they’re already present in huge numbers and only expanding further.​
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Hike the Maryland Ice Cream Trail


To encourage families to extend their trip and get outside, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has identified corresponding hiking trails. If you visit all 11 (Moo Cow Creamery is a bonus location), you will be entered to win an annual Maryland Park Service Passport, valued at $75 or a free one-year subscription to AllTrails.

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Click here for more!​​​​ ​
​​ice cream trail graphic 
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