Maryland Catfish Trail

Blue Catfish

The Maryland Office of Tourism Development recently announced the new Maryland Catfish Trail, a resource for conquering the invasive species challenge in the state's waterways.

Anglers can explore handpicked locations, including tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River, Upper Bay, and Sassafras Rivers.

The Catfish Trail includes public access points, charters, and guides, and other aids to help anglers successfully target and catch invasive blue catfish.

The site also connects enthusiasts to restaurants and chefs statewide who are serving up responsibly sourced blue catfish cuisine. Restaurants and chefs across Maryland are creating inventive dishes featuring local blue catfish.

Anglers will find more about catching the invasive blue catfish on the Maryland DNR website, and the Fish and Hunt Maryland website. 

2024 Maryland First Day Hikes

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released an invitation to the public to participate in the 2024 Maryland First Day Hike.

Maryland State Parks will be offering First Weekend hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2023 – January 2, 2024.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities to kick off the year.

For 2024, Maryland State Parks will offer more than 60 hikes across 40 state parks. As in previous years, there are two types of hikes available:

Ranger-led hikes: These hikes are accompanied and include interpretation by one or more Park Rangers, have specific start times, and often require advance registration. 

Self-guided hikes: These hikes will be available throughout the weekend, on well marked trails. Park staff and volunteers may be available to help hikers get started but will not join them on the trail.

With nearly 50 ranger-led hikes and 15 self-guided hike options through the weekend, there is a wide variety of outdoor adventures and experiences for every level of hiker and walker throughout Maryland. 

2024 First Day Hike Highlights:

In Western Maryland, hikers can join a ranger-led First Day “Fitness Hike” at Rocky Gap State Park, for those looking to break a sweat to kick off the New Year, a ranger-led guided “First Day Hike through History” at South Mountain Battlefield State Park, and a  “Little Naturalist First Day Hike”, an easy 1-mile hike for children and their families, at New Germany State Park. 

In Central Maryland, the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail will offer bicyclists a guided “First Day Bike” ride; hikers have a choice of either an early morning First Day Sunrise Hike or First Day Sunset Hike at North Point State Park, and a “Last Day Hike” or “Kids Countdown Hike” on New Year’s Eve at Patapsco Valley State Park. 

In Southern Maryland, hikers can bring their four-legged friends on a “Trails and Tails” ranger-led First Day Hike at Calvert Cliffs State Park, join the guided “Where One Goes Pleasantly” First Day Hike along Mattawoman Creek at Smallwood State Park; or kick off the year with a “First Day the Rosaryville Way” hike at Rosaryville State Park.

On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, hikers can bring their binoculars for a guided “First Day Bird Walk” or bring their own horse for a “New Year’s Day Ride” at Tuckahoe State Park, a “First Sunset Hike” at Janes Island State Park, a “First Day Family Hike” along the beach at Assateague State Park. “I Hiked” stickers will be available at select locations while supplies last. 

In addition to scheduled hikes, all Maryland’s state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas will be open to all. Hikers should check the DNR website for information about public lands near them.

After taking part in a First Day Hike or visiting a state park, hikers are asked to complete an online survey to track their hikes and how many miles they covered.​ 

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

**2024 UPDATE**

A total of 4,248 people hiked about 10,691 miles during First Day Hikes in 40 different Maryland state parks on New Year’s weekend, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

Between Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024, park rangers led 47 scheduled hikes and other programs with an additional 15 self-guided opportunities that were available on state public lands across Maryland.

Related Information

Things To Do in Maryland

Economic Impacts of Maryland State Parks

Maryland Welcome to Boating Clinics

The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are organizing two "Welcome to Boating" Clinics in cooperation with the BoatUS Foundation. The clinics will be held May 4 and 6 from 4-7 p.m. at Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis MD.

Recreational boaters and other enthusiasts are invited to join industry professionals to learn and/or refresh boating skills.

The Chesapeake Bay is known for its boats and other pleasure craft. There are over 200,000 registered boats and 12,550 Personal Watercraft (PWC) registered in Maryland.

2021 Maryland First Day Hikes

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released an invitation to the public to try a First Day Hike in Maryland.

First Day hikes are held annually in U.S. state parks to welcome the New Year.

This year, the Maryland Park Service will offer self-guided hike opportunities across the state from January 1-3, 2021. Trails will be open in Maryland state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas.

This year, due to the pandemic and physical distancing guidance, hikes will be self-guided and park staff will not be leading the hikes.

First Day hikes in Maryland provide a variety of outdoor adventures and experiences for every level of hiker and walker.

Among those planning a hike will be Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, continuing his commitment to visiting all Maryland state parks and other public lands by the time he leaves office. Lt. Governor Rutherford and the secretary kicked off 2020 with a hike at Patuxent River State Park.

“First Day Hikes are a wonderful tradition; they start the year off on the right foot with fresh air, exercise, and the appreciation and enjoyment of Maryland’s beautiful state parks and public lands,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “With all the challenges of the past year, participating in a socially-distant, self-guided First Day Hike and enjoying quality time outdoors is the perfect way to welcome 2021.”

On New Year’s Day 2020, a record 5,000 hikers logged more than 10,000 miles on trails in parks and public lands all across Maryland.

Maryland DNR urges hikers to follow Maryland State Parks guidelines for outdoor exercise and recreation to slow the spread of COVID-19, including keeping a 6-foot distance from anyone outside their household and wearing a face covering when in close proximity to others and when indoors. DNR states that anyone who is sick or has been sick over the past two weeks should stay home to recuperate.

After completing a 2021 First Day hike, hikers are asked to complete an online survey to track their hikes and how many miles they covered.​

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide event sponsored by America’s State Parks.

UPDATE:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources estimates that 16,237 visitors took part in First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks during the three-day period from January 1-3, 2021.

Because there were no scheduled, staff-led hikes this year, State Parks were not able to calculate total miles hiked. A new DNR online survey indicated that 279 people voluntarily logged 966.5 miles.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Related Information

Things To Do in Maryland

Economic Impacts of Maryland State Parks

Manatee Found Dead In Maryland

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently reported that a manatee was found dead near Baltimore, Maryland. DNR located the dead manatee after receiving a call from a citizen.

The deceased manatee was subsequently recovered and examined by an interagency team of biologists and veterinarians at the Smithsonian Institution.

This was only the third case of a deceased manatee in Maryland, according to DNR.

The first live Maryland manatee was documented in 1994 along the Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. “Chessie” was captured in Queenstown and taken to Florida for release a few days later.

Since that time, manatees have been reported throughout the Chesapeake Bay each summer. Approximately 6,000 manatees are thought to exist in the U.S

DNR reminds state residents to report any sightings of uncommon marine mammals and wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles or whales. The public can report sightings and strandings anytime to 800-628-9944.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

MD Monarch Butterfly Conservation Grants

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently awarded the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $32,000 from the Northeast Monarch Grants to States to support butterfly conservation and habitat restoration projects.

A large portion of the grant will help the state identify and restore 10 acres of butterfly habitat with assistance from the nonprofit Monarch Watch and Maryland Conservation Job Corps volunteers.

The remaining funds will go to the Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership to restore a greenhouse in Baltimore that will be used to grow plants for butterfly gardens.

Maryland has begun planting habitat, including milkweed and other plants integral to the lifecycle of the monarch, on government land and properties.

DNR has also assisted in monarch butterfly tagging efforts within the migration corridor at places like Assateague and Deep Creek Lake state parks.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Fall Trout Season

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released roughly 3,500 rainbow trout in Western Maryland as part of its fall trout stocking program.

Fall stocking locations include popular fishing areas such as Bear Creek, Big Elk Creek, Blairs Valley Lake, Deer Creek, Great Seneca Creek, Greenbelt Lake, Gunpowder Falls, Lake Artemesia, Morgan Run, North Branch Potomac, Patapsco River, Town Creek, Tuckahoe Creek, and Wheatley Lake.

“When and where we stock is largely dependent on weather conditions, water flow and temperatures,” DNR Inland Fisheries Manager Tony Prochaska said. “If the weather cooperates, we will release about 25,000 trout by the end of October.”

Weekly trout stocking updates are available via the DNR website or by calling the Trout Hotline at 800-688-3467.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Fee Reductions

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released a series of fee reduction proposals, following Governor Larry Hogan’s announcement that the state is eliminating or reducing $51 million in state-issued fees.

Fee Reduction Highlights: 

Golden Age Pass holders will no longer have to pay a fee to use state park boat launches or ramps. The pass entitles Maryland adults, ages 62 and older, to a lifetime of free day-use entry into all state parks, as well as half price camping Sunday through Thursday.

The Forest Product Operator Licensing Fee, which requires renewal every year, will be reduced from $30 to $20 a year.

The Certified Tree Expert Licensing Fee, which requires renewal every two years, will be reduced from $25 to $20.

The Forest Conservation & Management Program Property Fee, which requires participating landowners to pay a $50 fee plus an additional .22 percent enrollment fee on assessed woodland value, will be simplified to a flat $50 fee.

The Game Husbandry Licensing Fee, which requires renewal every year, will be reduced from $10 to $5 a year.


source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2015 Maryland Teal Season

green winged teal

Maryland's September teal hunting season will open on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 and continue through Wednesday, September 30, 2015.

September Teal Season Highlights:

Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise to sunset
   
The daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged)

The possession limit for teal is three times the daily bag limit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey recorded about 8.5 million blue-winged teal and 4.1 million green-winged teal in 2015.

For more information about Maryland hunting seasons and regulations, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website.

Maryland Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Open House

Maryland Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Open House
Tuesday, April 7 noon - 2 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m.
DNR Headquarters - Tawes Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland

Maryland will host a Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Open House on Tuesday, April 7,2015. Officials from DNR, MDE, and other agencies will be on hand during the open house.

At the event, stakeholders will have the opportunity to learn more about the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement management strategies and ask questions.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Deep Creek Lake Northern Pike Survey

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is asking Deep Creek Lake anglers to participate in a northern pike survey.

Survey forms are available at the following tackle shops: Deep Creek Lake Outfitters, McHenry; The Bassin’ Box, LaVale; Backbone Mountain Sports Shop, Oakland; and Nicklow’s Wholesale Bait, Addison, Pa.

Completed forms are due April 30, 2015 and may be returned to the Department via:

Mail: Maryland DNR Fisheries Service; 301 Braddock Road; Frostburg, MD 21532;

Fax: with cover letter to: (301)689-7200; or

Email: to: matt.sell@maryland.gov (Please include “Northern Pike Survey” in subject line).

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013-14 Maryland Deer Harvest

Maryland hunters harvested 95,863 deer during the archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 6, 2013 through January 31, 2014).

The 2013-2014 statewide harvest includes:

30,998 antlered and 62,164 antlerless white-tailed deer
1,116 antlered and 1,585 antlerless sika deer

Region A (Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties) hunters reported 9,176 deer (5,186 antlered and 3,990 antlerless).

Frederick County led the harvest totals this year with 8,040 deer, followed by Washington County with 6,376 and Baltimore County at 6,336. Carroll and Montgomery counties rounded out the top five with 5,915 and 5,889 deer, respectively.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013 Maryland Spring Turkey Hunting Season

The 2013 Maryland spring turkey season begins with Junior Turkey Hunts on April 13 on public or private land statewide, and April 14 on private land in Caroline, Dorchester, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

Maryland's spring turkey season runs from April 18 through May 23 statewide.

Junior Turkey Hunts allow licensed youth ages 16 and under to hunt wild turkeys when accompanied by an unarmed adult, 21 and older, who holds a valid Maryland hunting license, or is exempt from the hunting license requirements. Adults may not possess a bow, crossbow or firearm while accompanying a youth hunter during the junior hunt.

Regulations, turkey check-in procedures, and information on public land hunting opportunities can be found at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide or in the 2012-2013 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping.

source: MD DNR

Maryland 2012 Hunting and Fishing Day Expo

On September 22nd, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the State’s 2012 National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration and Expo. The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore in Marriottsville.

The show will include more than 30 fishing and hunting clubs, conservation organizations and local businesses. A number of interactive activities will be available, including spin casting, waterfowl calling lessons, dog demonstrations, archery and target shooting with expert instructors. There will also be hunting and fishing displays and demonstrations.

Local sponsors of the event include the National Wild Turkey Federation-Maryland Chapter, National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International- Chesapeake Chapter, Baltimore County Game and Fish Protective Association, Tudor Farms Inc., Maryland Fur Trappers Inc., and the Maryland Bowhunters Society.

The event will take place at the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, 11518 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, Md. 21104. Citizens who would like more information, or those who are interested in becoming a vendor, may call 410-260-8537 or visit dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/NHFD/index.asp

source: MD DNR

2010 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting entries for the 7th Annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest. The contest invites student, amateur and professional photographers to submit photos of Maryland’s diverse natural resources through August 31, 2010.

Photos entered into the 2010 contest will be judged within six categories: birds, wildlife, insects, scenic, floral and outdoor recreation. Winning entries will be featured in the winter issue of The Maryland Natural Resource magazine as well as the 2011 DNR calendar.

Official rules and contest entry forms are available online at:

www.dnr.maryland.gov/photocontest/

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov

DNR To Host Children In Nature National Web Seminar

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is partnering with the National Wildlife Federation to host “Be Out There: A National Summit on Children and the Outdoors.” This webcast event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, Md.

Through this webcast, Marylanders will be able to participate in the summit which is being held in Houston, Texas.


This National Summit will issue a three-fold call to state and federal leaders:

1) For federal leaders to implement policy that creates more opportunities to connect children with the outdoors;

2) For governors to issue executive orders to develop state plans and champion legislation; and

3) For parks, conservation and recreation leaders to place greater emphasis on outdoor immersion experiences such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, boating and more.

The webcast will feature National Wildlife Federation CEO Larry Schweiger, Texas Representative Carol Alvarado, and video messages from Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson, and Governor O'Malley. There will also be a panel discussion entitled, "New Partners and Innovative Strategies to Address the Indoor Childhood," featuring Dr. Sandra Stenmark of Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Nina Roberts of San Francisco State University, and Margo Pedroso of Safe Routes to Schools.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Sponsors Sought for the 2010 Maryland Bay Game

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting citizens, businesses and organizations to become sponsors of the 2010 Maryland Bay Game. Through games, trivia, puzzles and outdoor activities, this award-winning natural resources activity book has inspired kids to learn about and connect with their natural world for over a decade.

The Bay Game is written and designed by DNR staff, but printing and distribution is paid entirely by sponsors. There are several opportunities for businesses to sponsor the Bay Game through logos, website exposure, full and half-page sponsorships and more while also ensuring another summer filled with interactive and engaging outdoor activities for Maryland children. Donations are tax deductible, though sponsors should review the requirements outlined in IRS Publication 526 and consult their tax advisor.

For more information please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/baygame/ or contact Jill Kubatko at 410-260-8007 or jkubatko@dnr.state.md.us.

2010 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released the results of the 2010 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, pilots and biologists from the two agencies count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. In January 2010, the survey teams observed 787,100 waterfowl, slightly lower than the number of waterfowl observed in January 2009.

“When pooled with results from other states, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey provides a long-term measure of the distribution and population size of most waterfowl species wintering in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader.

The number of mallards counted in this year’s survey (34,200) was significantly lower than 2009 (58,300). The black duck count (22,500) slightly declined from last winter, when 24,900 were counted.
“Extensive ice coverage of Chesapeake Bay waters, rivers and estuarine marshes led to reduced open water and lower numbers for several duck species this year," Hindman said.

Overall, fewer diving ducks were counted (102,000) in 2010 than last winter (157,600). Most of this decline can be attributed to the lower numbers of redheads, canvasbacks, scaup and ruddy ducks observed. Extensive ice in the Chester River prevented diving duck use of this major wintering area favored by canvasbacks and scaup. Other environmental factors that influence the number of canvasbacks and other divers in the Chesapeake Bay are the conditions of the staging areas on the upper Mississippi River and Lake St. Claire in southern Ontario. Above average numbers of canvasbacks were recorded on surveys of those areas this year.

There was a slight increase in number of Canada geese counted by the survey crews. Despite a poor nesting season, wintering Canada geese (519,500) remained high and were likely bolstered by migrant geese pushed south by cold temperatures and snow north of Maryland.

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The survey provides information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations and is the only source of population estimates for important species such as Atlantic brant and tundra swans.

source: MD DNR press release

DNR Launches Largemouth Bass Choptank River Initiative

Largemouth Bass

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Inland Fisheries Division has assembled a team of engineers, biologists and anglers to develop a largemouth bass improvement strategy for the Choptank River, which has seen a decline in black bass reproduction in recent years.

The first step of the program includes the temporary installation of nesting boxes, which will provide sanctuary for the fry. Male bass usually build and guard nests so juvenile fish may survive and grow.

However, the persistent flow of runoff silt from the cleared properties that surround the upper Choptank has impaired the deep water nesting areas, leaving just the shallow spots as suitable nesting habitat. These shallow spots can make juveniles more vulnerable to predators, such as herons, ospreys, and other birds.

Maryland Bass Federation volunteers and DNR staff are working together to build wooden nesting boxes for placing this month. This experiment will begin in the Watts Creek area. It’s important that anglers and other boaters remain aware of these boxes so they can be left alone and, as tempting as it may be, it’s important for anglers to avoid fishing for the protective males that are guarding these nests.

If the program is successful, DNR will expand the program to other parts of the river. DNR is also working with the State Highway Administration and local residents to temporarily stock local ponds near the river with bass ready to spawn.

Once these fish have reproduced, they will be returned to the river, leaving offspring behind to feast on plankton and grow in the absence of large predators until they are big enough to fend for themselves.

DNR’s long-term bass stocking program will add more than half a million fry and fingerlings to the Choptank River system over the next ten years. The Largemouth Bass Choptank River Initiative is a partnership of DNR Division of Inland Fisheries, Maryland Bass Federation Nation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland State Highway Administration, and the residents of Greensboro and Denton, Md.

source: DNR press release