Annual spawning stock survey by Beth Versak

[Agitated88]

Type: Chesapeake
Region: Eastern
Location: Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries
Tags: Striped Bass

While spring weather continues to tease us, DNR biologists are gearing up for a busy field season. Stripers are making their spawning run and the trophy season begins.
The Striped Bass Program will start its annual spawning stock survey in the upper Chesapeake Bay and upper Potomac River. Biologists will be characterizing the spawning stock, as well as tagging stripers as part of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Cooperative Coastwide Tagging Program. This survey has been conducted since 1985. Be on the lookout for these pink tags, and others while you’re out on the water. For more information on the different kinds of tags out there, please check out: http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/re...l/tag/tags.asp
You also may encounter a biologist at a boat ramp or charter boat dock during the spring seasons. We’ll be conducting a brief (voluntary) creel survey, which helps us estimate effort and harvest.
Another tool that helps us gather data we wouldn’t otherwise have access to is the Volunteer Angler Survey. Fishermen can go online and report their catches here: http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/index.asp. We are interested in everything you catch, from the largest bragging rights caliber fish to the smallest ones you release. DNR is now collecting data on striped bass, yellow perch, blue crabs, bluefish, summer flounder, largemouth bass and muskies.
These are some great ways that you can directly participate in fisheries management and DNR appreciates your help.