Welcome to the Weekly Creel, a compilation of regional news and announcements for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts of the Chesapeake Bay region. Please email us directly at editor@reelchesapeake.com to have your organization’s news item or event listing considered for next week’s column. Per usual, here are direct links to the lastest, local fishing reports from Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Anglers Sports Center, and FishTalk Magazine. This week’s catch also includes.
Great Chesapeake Invasives Count Underway
Today through October 1st, anglers are invited to report their catch of invasive species caught in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in the annual Great Chesapeake Invasives Count. According to Coastal Conservation Association Maryland, co-organizer of this unique tournament, fishery managers need help understanding which invasive species are being caught and where to support the science-based management of our natural resources. Target species include northern snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Prizes and monthly drawings will occur, enticing anglers to sign up and report their catch (via the iAngler mobile app). Biologists are specifically asking for the lengh, weight, and stomach contents of each fish (if you have the stomach, yourself, to get into the guts). Anglers may register for free to participate. Full details, including registration instructions, rules, and more can be found at CCA’s landing page for the tourney.
$1M for Bay Wetlands Restoration
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) recently announced $1,129,063 in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to restore wetlands and expand green infrastructure throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Trust will sub-award this federal funding for local governments and nonprofits to implement wetland restoration and capacity building projects through the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) program, which will help strengthen tidal wetland restoration and monitoring, support outreach, and education for local communities, and bolster implementation of green infrastructure projects.
“The health of the Chesapeake Bay is vital to the health of our communities and our regional economy. We fought to pass the infrastructure modernization law—and within it to boost resources for our efforts to protect the Bay—in order to invest in projects like this that will help restore our wetlands and habitats that serve as essential filters to prevent pollutants from poisoning the Bay,” Senator Van Hollen said.
Youth Fishing Rodeos Announced
This week, Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the 2023 Maryland Youth Fishing Rodeo schedule. Youth anglers of all ages are encouraged to hone their fishing skills at any of Maryland’s nearly 50 youth fishing rodeos spread out across the state this year. DNR works with dozens of organizations in 14 counties across the state to offer free and engaging fishing opportunities for thousands of youth. Many of the events are held in Maryland State Parks and other public lands. The program receives financial support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. The rodeos are free and open to the public, but there are space limitations at some venues. Attendees should check the online rodeo schedule for registration options, and any cancellations or rescheduling. Photo courtesy Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Learn How to Buy a Boat
If you’re new to boat buying, there’s likely a number of questions you may need answers to, plus a plethora of purchasing criteria you need to know. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is aiming to help prospective boaters navigate the buying process. CBMM Charity Boat Donations & Sales Program Director Wes Williams will lead “Boat Buying 101” on April 19th from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Van Lennep Auditorium, sharing the ins and outs of what to expect when purchasing a new-to-you vessel. The cost is $25, with a 20 percent discount for CBMM members, and registration is now open. Williams is well-equipped to teach this crash course with a lengthy history of buying and selling boats. He has been a boat owner since he was 12 years old, and he spent a decade as owner/operator of a marina in Texas before arriving at CBMM in February 2021. Photograph by George Sass and courtesy Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
Cocktails for Trails Announced
Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park have announced plans for the organization’s 2023 Cocktails for Trails event, one of the most significant fundraisers that directly benefits the enhancement and maintainence of the PVSP trail system. The event will be held at Guinness Open Gate Brewery on June 8th. “After many years at the incredible Elkridge Furnace Inn, it’s become abundantly clear the people of the valley needed a bigger venue to celebrate and support all things Patapsco Valley State Park,” states the Friends org. “This year we are able to offer increased capacity, and ample parking, and we are thrilled to announce, Guinness is brewing a limited-time offering just for us—the Thru Trail IPA! Sponsorship tickets went on sale today and a limited amount of individual tickets will be available on 5/8. For complete details, visit Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park’s event landing page.
Virginia Seeks Your Input on Wildlife/Boating Regs
Virginia’s Board of Wildlife Resources has proposed many amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations governing wildlife and boating. And now, the Board seeks public input. The public comment period opened this week and closes May 10th. The online comment system is the most efficient and effective way to submit your views and have them seen. The Board will meet on May 25th to hear final comments from the public (in person) and review the regulations and amendments, before adopting final regulations that become effective on August 1st. For full details and a list of all proposed amendments visit the link above.
And that’s a wrap for this week’s Creel. If you have news to share, please send an email to editor@reelchesapeake.com.
