Maryland Boat Parades 2015

A variety of boat parades will be held around Maryland for the 2015 Christmas season. The following list includes events on the Eastern Shore and Western Shore:

Baltimore

The Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats is scheduled to occur in the Northwest and Inner Harbors at Baltimore, MD on December 5, 2015, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.The parade consists of 36 sail and power vessels of various lengths that will gather near Fells Point in the Northwest Harbor, proceed to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and return to Fells Point.

A lighted boat parade is scheduled to occur in the Middle River on November 28, 2015, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The parade consists of up to 50 sail and power vessels operating on the Middle River.

Annapolis

The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is scheduled to occur in Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek on December 12, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event includes two separate boat parade routes.

Solomons Island

A holiday season lighted boat parade is scheduled to occur on the Patuxent River, Solomons Harbor, and Back Creek at Solomons, MD on December 5, 2015, from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The boat parade consists of 15 sail and power vessels operating on a designated route that includes Solomons Harbor, Back Creek and the Patuxent River, before returning to Solomons Harbor.

Salisbury

A lighted boat parade is scheduled to occur in the upper Wicomico River on November 28, 2015, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The parade consists of approximately 15 power vessels beginning at the Wicomico Yacht Club in Wicomico Creek and transiting the Wicomico River upriver to the Port of Salisbury, MD, before returning to Wicomico Creek.

source: U.S Coast Guard 5th District

Friends of Patuxent Wildlife Holiday Bazaar

Friends of Patuxent Wildlife Holiday Bazaar
November 14, 2015
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Patuxent Research Refuge

The 2015 Patuxent Research Refuge Holiday Bazaar will include a variety of new and gently used collectibles, books, crafts, artwork, and other items. Food and bake goods will also be offered for sale at the event.

The Friends of Patuxent Wildlife Holiday Bazaar supports the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the Patuxent Research Refuge.

For more information, visit www.friendsofpatuxent.org.

Popes Creek Coastal Wetlands Acquisition

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR) was recently awarded a $1 million National Coastal Wetlands Conservation grant to acquire land in Charles County, Maryland.

The property along Popes Creek includes 92 acres of upland forest, 128 acres of wetlands, open water, and beach front.

Popes Creek is a conservation focus area, having been identified by MD DNR as both a Targeted Ecological Area and a Natural Heritage Area. It lies within the Zekiah Swamp area, which is a protection priority for the USFWS Chesapeake Bay Program, MD DNR, and Charles County.

The property will be held and managed by Charles County Department of Parks and Recreation. Plans for the site include the creation of a biking/walking trail along an abandoned railway bed.

Funding for the project was included in $16.5 million in grants which will go to support 21 critical coastal wetland projects in 12 states and Puerto Rico under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Program.

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and funded under provisions of the 1990 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act.

Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program funds originate from the Sport Fish Restoration Act revenue which is generated via an excise tax on fishing equipment, motorboat and small engine fuels.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

C and O Canal Big Slackwater Towpath Restoration

For the 2013 outdoor season, hikers, bikers, and other enthusiasts will finally have access to the entire Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath.

The Big Slackwater section of the 184.5-mile hiking and biking trail was closed after flooding in 1996. The stretch along the Potomac River near Williamsport had been the only disruption of the famous towpath from Cumberland, Md., to Washington, D.C.

Prior to the completion of restoration work, towpath visitors had to detour off the trail and onto a dangerous route with no shoulders following 4.5 miles along Dam 4, Dellinger and Avis Mill roads.

The Big Slackwater project was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as a Line Item Construction (LIC) project.

Historically, the Big Slackwater portion of the C & O Canal allowed barge traffic to move up and down the river proper in the slack water above Dam Number 4. 

source: C&O Canal Association

Maryland Shad Fishing

Hickory Shad

In Maryland, fishing for shad is a springtime tradition. In most locations, shad fishing usually begins in March and continues into early May. Maryland anglers catch hickory shad or American shad during spring spawning runs. In some watersheds, fishermen also catch river herring together with shad.

Popular shad fishing rivers in Maryland include the Susquehanna, Gunpowder, Patapsco, Patuxent, Choptank, Nanticoke, Pocomoke, and others. In addition to mainstem river systems, a number of tributary streams and creeks are known for their shad runs, including Marshyhope and Tuckahoe Creeks on the Eastern Shore.

Productive shad fishing spots often occur along narrow, fast moving stretches of rivers and creeks. In some areas, fishing access is available within national, state, or county parks. In other locations, shad are caught from fishing piers, bridges, dams, dykes, or other man-made structures. Anglers also wade to catch shad or traverse rivers and creeks by small boat.

No bait is required in order to catch shad and river herring. Instead, anglers use small, flashy jigs, spoons, or flies. Depending on the location and other factors, anglers may choose to cast extensively or simply lower their lure into the water and work lures with jigging motion. Bridge and pier anglers often employ specials rigs which feature multiple lures.

In 2012, Maryland, along with most Atlantic states, enacted a moratorium on the harvest of all shad and river herring. Although keeping fish for the table or bait is no longer an option, many anglers still enjoy catch and release fishing for these exciting fish. 

Maryland Boat Noise Regulations

New boat noise regulations affect boaters on Deep Creek Lake, the Bohemia River, the Elk and Northeast Rivers and tributaries, and the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal. The State is providing citizens with free tests to determine if their boat is within the legal limit.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) will be conducting courtesy tests so boaters may determine if their vessel meets regulation guidelines.

Testing dates, times and locations are being scheduled and will be listed at dnr.state.md.us/boating/  and dnr.state.md.us/nrp/.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) established the regulations, which went into effect November 28, 2011, because of increasing citizen concern in these areas.

For the 2012 boating season, regulations prohibit boats with mufflers and muffler cut-out systems from exceeding the following noise levels.

* For engines manufactured before January 1, 1993, the noise level may not exceed 90 decibels (a).

* Those manufactured on or after January 1, 1993, the noise level may not exceed 88 decibels (a).

Boats manufactured after January 1990 must operate with a continuous muffler system and and may not operate a device that bypasses, reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of a muffler or noise suppression device or system.

The full regulation is located in COMAR 08.18.03 and may be accessed from the Maryland Division of State Documents website.

source: MD DNR

Didymo Affecting Maryland Trout Streams

In 2012, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of didymo in Big Hunting Creek. Didymo is an invasive form of algae that affects Maryland trout streams.

In Maryland, didymo was first discovered in Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County in early 2008. In 2009, the invasive algae appeared in the lower Savage River.

Didymo prefers cold, fast-flowing, rocky trout streams. Didymo blooms can cover entire stream beds from bank to bank with long strands of algae.

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources offers several recommendations which could help stop the spread of didymo to other trout streams:

 - remove mud and debris from boots before entering and after leaving streams

 - use wader wash stations to clean boots in saltwater (from the soles to the knee)

 - If a wader wash station isn’t available, anglers can disinfect their boots at home

 - Letting boots and gear dry thoroughly for at least 5 days will also kill didymo cells

To help stop the spread of didymo and other water-borne organisms, the use of felt-soled boots was banned in all Maryland waters effective March 22, 2011.

source: MD DNR

End of Summer in Maryland

With the days getting shorter, the nights cooler and the first red leaves appearing, Maryland outdoor enthusiasts are beginning to realize that the fall season will soon be here.

During late August, flocks of blackbirds, mourning doves, Canada geese, mallards, and other migratory birds will start to appear in the skies over Maryland. 

This sweetbay magnolia bloomed brilliant white in May.

By mid August, magnolia seeds are turning bright red, signalling the impending end of summer.

In forests and along river banks, Maryland red maples are beginning to turn colors.

Things To Do in Maryland - Cypress Swamp Kayaking

One popular outdoor activity in Maryland is to explore some of the state's unique ecosystems. In the swamps of Maryland, bald cypress trees provide vital structure, holding soil and providing shelter for hundreds of plants and animals.

Although difficult to visit by land, bald cypress swamps usually have water access by kayak, canoe or small boat. Cypress swamps are favorite destinations of nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, and anglers.

One of the many unusual sights in these swamps are cypress knees. These odd looking formations are part of the bald cypress root system, helping to anchor trees in the mud.

Pristine cypress swamps occur in Maryland along tidal and non-tidal stretches of rivers including the Nanticoke, Choptank, Wicomico, and Pocomoke. These rivers and their tributary creeks are recognizable by their dark color, a result of the tannic acid produced by cypress trees.

Local guides and outfitters offer a wide range or tours, boat rentals and other services. To enjoy some of Maryland's best largemouth bass fishing, Captain Bruce Wootten offers Pocomoke River largemouth bass fishing and a host of other cypress swamp boat trips.

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