$20,000 DIAMOND JIM STRIPED BASS ON THE LOOSE
Second batch of Stripers to be released June 29



WHAT: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release the second batch of up to 200 tagged striped bass for the 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge.



WHERE: Happy Harbor Marina

533 Deale Road

Deale, MD 20751



WHEN: Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Boat departs at 8 a.m.



WHO: DNR Biologist Martin Gary



**MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA PLANNING TO JOIN STAFF FOR THE RELEASE BY BOAT MUST RSVP TO JILL ZAREND-KUBATKO AT 410-260-8007 NO LATER THAN 3 P.M. MONDAY, JUNE 28**



BACKGROUND:

The second round of tagged stripped bass will be released into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries on June 29. Up to 170 tagged striped bass were released on May 27 to kick off the contest. As many as 600 valuable fish may be released before August for the Diamond Jim component of the Maryland Fishing Challenge. One of these fish, Diamond Jim, will be worth $20,000. Its imposters will each be worth $500. The challenge began May 28 and runs through Labor Day, September 6, 2010.



Any angler who catches an award citation-qualifying fish is eligible to win one of the official sponsor grand prizes including a boat, motor and trailer from Bass Pro and Tracker Boats, thousands of dollars in merchandise and fishing trips from Bill's Outdoor Center, a 7-day dream trip to the island of Tobago courtesy of the World Fishing Network and merchandise from Under Armor.



The Maryland Fishing Challenge was created to showcase Maryland as a great sport fishing destination for its residents and visitors, highlighting our accessible, affordable, high quality and diverse fishing opportunities.