Chesapeake Bay News

The recreational yellow perch fishing season is expected to peak in Maryland as water temperatures in the tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake begin to warm.

Yellow perch are found in 10- to 30-foot depths in many rivers of the bay in preparation for their spawning run. Water temperatures in the tributaries are now in the upper 30s and will soon hit the 40 degree threshold, which will trigger the start of yellow perch spawning.

Anglers are enjoying spectacular fishing for yellow perch in several locations, including the Cedars in Allen’s Fresh, the channel edge off the Logan’s Wharf condominiums at Perryville on the Susquehanna River, Northeast River, Nanjemoy Creek, and the deep holes in the Chester River near Crumpton.

“This, by far, is the absolute best yellow perch fishing we’ve had out here in years,” said Captain Mike Benjamin from Herb’s Tackle Shop in Northeast.  “The yellow perch fishing in The Susquehanna River is as good as I’ve ever seen it.”

Yellow Perch will begin moving from the deeper, staging areas to the shallow waters as the weather warms. This will give recreational anglers the opportunity to fish from the shoreline.

Yellow perch fishing is open year round in Maryland waters with a nine-inch minimum size and ten fish per day limits in tidal waters. Fishing for yellow perch is the perfect family activity. A minimal investment in gear, rod, reel, size 10 hooks, bobbers and a bucket of minnows will provide anglers with the essentials.

On March 5, Yellow Perch Appreciation Day will be held at the Northeast Town Park, a state free-fishing area where fishing licenses are not required. Prizes will be awarded.

DNR welcomes yellow perch anglers to join the online volunteer angler survey— www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/ to support the agency’s goal of sustainable fisheries management.

Anglers can register their yellow perch fishing trip information to win a chance for an ultra light rod and reel outfit from Bass Pro Shops. Angler’s can also share their catch on DNR’s Angler’s Log www.dnr.Maryland.gov/fisheries/log

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

On October 22, 2010, NOAA and local partners celebrated the opening of 20 miles of stream habitat along the Patapsco River in Maryland and its tributaries. According to NOAA the action is a critical step towards restoring the Patapsco River. The breaching of the Simkins Dam was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Breaching the Simkins Dam brings us closer to returning this portion of the Patapsco River to a thriving, free-flowing river,” said Eric Schwaab, NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “And it’s terrific that while we are restoring habitat, we are also working to restore our economy through the jobs created in this effort.”

Removing the dam will enhance the health of the river by allowing the natural transport of sediment, restoring 20 miles of spawning habitat for migratory fish—including American eel and alewife—and other species, and creating a safer recreation area.  The dam removal will also increase safety for swimmers and kayakers.

The Patapsco River Restoration Project received $4 million last year funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment to remove both the Simkins and Union dams. NOAA, American Rivers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of the Patapsco Valley State Park have worked more than 36 months to implement this project and develop partnerships for future dam removals in the watershed.

“The removal of Simpkins Dam to restore the Patapsco River is a historic milestone for Maryland,” said Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers. “A healthier river will enhance the economy, local community and the Chesapeake Bay. American Rivers is proud to have partnered with private industry, government and other nonprofit organizations on this landmark restoration project. Rivers are remarkably resilient and we are all excited to see the Patapsco River restored.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. Through the Recovery Act, NOAA was provided $167 million for marine and coastal habitat restoration.

When all the planned projects are complete, 8,700 acres of habitat will be restored, and fish will gain access to 700 stream miles that had been blocked by obsolete and unsafe dams. The projects also will remove more than 850 metric tons of abandoned fishing gear and other marine trash, rebuild oyster and other shellfish habitat and reduce threats to 11,750 acres of coral reef habitat. This will benefit salmon, migratory birds, turtles and a variety of threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species.

source: NOAA press release

A special guest has been invited to the annual Potomac River Ramble, July 8-11. On the second night of this year’s canoe and kayak camping trip, the 18th century Cherokee Indian “Mankiller” Ostenaco (played by actor  Doug Wood) will appear in the firelight, his head painted warrior red, to tell the story of how he led 130 men into war to protect British settlers against the fury of the French.

The Potomac River Ramble, sponsored by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and led by River & Trail Outfitters, is an annual, multi-day canoe and kayak trip featuring riverside camping, catered meals, restoration projects, history talks, nature walks and environmental education.

Biologists, historians, geologists and other experts will meet the group of paddlers along the way for hands-on instruction and discussion. Organizers hope participants will become intimately connected with the “nation’s river” by camping alongside it as they paddle the three-day course.

This year’s event begins Thursday evening, July 8 and ends Sunday afternoon, July 11. Experienced guides and other experts will lead paddlers from Town Creek Park, W.Va. through the gorges and rolling hills of the Potomac River’s Paw Paw Bends, ending at Little Orleans.

No paddling experience is necessary, and you do not have to register for the entire trip. The cost is $55 per day and includes meals, camping fees, guides, shuttle and educational programming. If you do not have a boat, rentals are available; prices include delivery and pickup.

For more information please visit:  http://www.potomacriver.org/cms/

You may also contact Jennifer Willoughby with the ICPRB at 301-984-1908 ext. 109 or JWilloughby@icprb.org; or Lee Baihly with River & Trail Outfitters at 301-988-5712 or lee@rivertrail.com.

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin has been working to enhance and protect the Potomac River and its tributaries through regional and interstate partnerships since 1940. River and Trail Outfitters has been guiding trips since 1972, annually outfitting more than 30,000 people on various rivers in the Potomac watershed.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Inland Fisheries will host an open tidal bass roundtable discussion February 9 from 2– 5 p.m. in the C-1 conference room of the Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue in Annapolis, MD.

During the forum, scientists will present recent findings for largemouth bass populations in the Chesapeake Bay’s rivers such as the Potomac, Choptank, Nanticoke, and Upper Bay tributaries.

DNR officials will also present a review of procedures for tournament directors, including fish release guidelines and procedures, as well as tips for angler behavior and fish handling.

Also on the agenda is an overview of upcoming projects including a new radio tagging program, which will allow DNR biologists to track electronically tagged largemouth bass and assess the effectiveness of existing fish sanctuaries. In compliance with the radio tagging program it is important that bass anglers carefully revive and release a tagged fish in the same waters in which it was caught so the fish will continue to perform normally. DNR biologists will also discuss the ongoing nest box program—an effort to establish discreet refuges suitable for spawning in areas that don’t offer ideal conditions for reproduction.

The final hour of the meeting will be dedicated to questions and answers from stakeholders.

Those interested in attending or who want more information should contact DNR Fisheries Tidal Bass Manager Joe Love at jlove@dnr.state.md.us or 410-260-8257.

source: DNR press release

Members of the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance and the Lower Eastern Shore Tributary Team will host their annual Nanticoke River Wade-In on Saturday, June 27 from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cherry Park in Sharptown. Maryland citizens are invited to wade into the water of the Nanticoke River to demonstrate the level of visibility and water quality and bring attention to the serious impact of nutrient pollution.

“Everything we do on our lands always finds its way into the Bay, and we are all accountable for the state of water quality in Maryland’s waterways,” Governor Martin O’Malley. “These events remind citizens to be cognizant of their everyday actions and make smart, sustainable decisions for the benefit of our natural resources and our treasured Chesapeake.”

Last month, on a tour of the Bush River, Governor O’Malley and senior scientists discussed two new strategies to accelerate Bay restoration in Maryland. Citing what scientists call a “tipping point” — a stage at which progress within a tributary can begin to promote self-healing — the Governor announced plans for a major new outreach effort to enlist local governments, businesses and citizens to take a more active role in restoring the health of Maryland’s waterways. At the Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, Governor O’Malley announced Maryland’s new two-year milestones, short term goals developed over the past several months by the Governor and his BayStat team to better target, focus and accelerate efforts on the ground, and measure results.

In what has become an annual event for each of Maryland’s 10 Tributary Teams, the Wade-Ins are inspired by former State Senator Bernie Fowler, who began wading into the Patuxent River 17 years ago with family and friends to highlight concerns about declining water quality in Maryland’s tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay. Senator Fowler remembered that, as a child, he could wade into the Patuxent and easily see his shoes. The event became known as a Wade-In and is characterized by participants wading into a stream, river or the Bay, and measuring the point at which they can no longer see their shoes, commonly known as the Sneaker Index. Fowler challenged the other nine Tributary Teams to host Wade-Ins or similar water quality awareness events of their own.

This event is a great opportunity to meet folks who love the Nanticoke and celebrate one of the treasures of the Eastern Shore. The wade-in will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a free cookout sponsored by the Lower Eastern Shore Tributary Team. For more information on this event, contact EB James of the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance at 410-430-3273 or Scott Hymes, coordinator of the Lower Eastern Shore Tributary Strategy Team at 410-260-8746.

This year, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance will be honoring their Creekwatcher Volunteers at the event. Creekwatchers monitor 40 sites across the watershed. This program recently received the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of its protocol, marking a high level of acceptance for the accuracy and validity of the information collected by these dedicated volunteers. They are the only volunteer water monitoring program in the Chesapeake who have achieved this level of data acceptance.

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance’s mission is to foster partnerships and progress in conserving the natural, cultural and recreational resources of the Nanticoke River watershed through dialogue, collaborative outreach and education. Over 40 organizations belong to the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance. Its diverse membership is made up of foresters, industry, small business owners, government agencies, environmental groups, land trusts, realtors, academicians, fishermen, restoration groups, farmers and citizen groups.

Since 1995, Maryland’s Tributary Teams have assisted with the implementation of the state’s watershed-based plans to reduce nutrient pollution to Maryland’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Support for the Tributary Teams is provided by staff at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR); however the members are volunteers whose tireless energy results in invaluable contributions to restoration efforts. The Wade-Ins are just one of the ways the Teams highlight local water quality and get their communities involved. Visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/bay/tribstrat to explore all of their programs.

Members of the Patapsco/Back Tributary team will host their seventh annual Wade-In on Sunday, May 17 from 10:30 to 2 p.m. During the event, Marylanders are invited to wade into the water at North Point State Park to demonstrate the level of visibility and water quality and bring attention to the serious impact of nutrient pollution.

“The work of our Tributary Teams mobilizes a crucial component of our watershed clean-up efforts,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “By engaging local communities and hosting events like Wade-Ins, they lead restoration efforts on a grassroots level that gives every Marylander the opportunity to become involved in our collective commitment to preserve our Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”

In what has become an annual event for each of Maryland’s 10 Tributary Teams, the Wade-Ins are inspired by former State Senator Bernie Fowler, who began wading into the Patuxent River 17 years ago with family and friends to highlight concerns about declining water quality in Maryland’s tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay. Senator Fowler remembered that, as a child, he could wade into the Patuxent and easily see his shoes. The event became known as a Wade-In and is characterized by participants wading into a stream, river, or the Bay, and measuring the point at which they can no longer see their shoes, commonly known as the Sneaker Index. Fowler challenged the other nine Tributary Teams to host Wade-Ins or similar water quality awareness events of their own.

This year’s event also marks the 7th time Joe Stewart, a member of the Patapsco/Back Tributary Team, will lead a benefit swim to help raise funds for local watershed groups in the Baltimore County area. The event is rain or shine and free of charge. More information is available by Christopher Aadland at (410) 260-8736.

The Patapsco/ Back River basin drains approximately 630 square miles of land, including all of Baltimore City and portions of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Howard Counties. Larger water bodies in the basin include Back River, Gwynns and Jones Falls, the North and South Branches of the Patapsco River, Lake Roland, Piney Run Reservoir, Liberty Reservoir, and Baltimore Harbor, a tidal embayment formed at the confluence of the Patapsco River and the Jones and Gwynns Falls.

Nutrient pollution can be divided into two major categories – point sources (pollution that comes from a single, definable location, such as a wastewater treatment plant or industrial discharge) and nonpoint sources (pollution that cannot be attributed to a clearly identifiable, specific physical location, such as runoff from land and atmospheric deposition). Runoff from different land uses, point sources, and atmospheric deposition are the major sources of nutrients within the Bay watershed.
On the day of the event, please call 410 260-8736 for directions or if you have questions.

DIRECTIONS FROM NORTH BALTIMORE:
Take Baltimore Beltway 695-south towards Essex/Key Bridge. Follow 695 to Exit 42 (151 Sparrows Point/North Point Boulevard). Exit and bear right onto 151 South to first light. Make left onto North Point Road (Route 20). Follow through Edgemere for 1.9 miles to Bay Shore Rd where you will see North Point State Park on left.

DIRECTIONS FROM SOUTH OF BALTIMORE:
Take Baltimore Beltway 695 North towards Glen Burnie/Key Bridge. Follow 695 over Key Bridge to Exit 43 (Bethlehem Boulevard/Sparrows Point). Get off at Exit 43 and make left at first blinking light (Bethlehem Boulevard). Follow Bethlehem Boulevard/158 East for one mile to North Point Boulevard. Cross over North Point Boulevard onto North Point Road (Route 20). Follow Route 20 through Edgemere for 1.9 miles to park on left.

Since 1995, Maryland’s Tributary Teams have assisted with the implementation of the state’s watershed-based plans to reduce nutrient pollution to Maryland’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Support for the Tributary Teams is provided by staff at DNR, however the members are volunteers whose tireless energy results in invaluable contributions to restoration efforts. The Wade-Ins are just one of the ways the Teams highlight local water quality and get their communities involved. Visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/tribstat to explore all of their programs.

The 2009 Potomac River Ramble will be held June 24th – 28th. This year’s Ramble will feature the Monocacy Scenic River from the city of Frederick, Md. through the Monocacy Aqueduct and down the Potomac, ending at the McKee – Beshers Wildlife Management Area.

For 2009, events will include:

* Studying aquatic invaders with the Md. Department of Natural Resources and the Hood College Biology Department;

* Examining the inter-sex smallmouth bass problem in the Potomac with the U.S. Geological Survey;

* Interpretive programs at the Monocacy National Battlefield Park;

* Amphibian and wetland surveys with ICPRB and Montgomery County DEP biologists.

The Potomac River Rambles are a series of multi-day canoeing and kayaking expeditions that feature environmental programming, riverside camping, restoration projects, festive meals, meetings with elected officials, and much more.  Novice and experienced paddlers alike enjoy a unique on-the-water experience that builds a strong environmental ethic, while having a lot of fun in the process. The Rambles aim to elevate awareness of the Potomac River’s importance to the region and to encourage local residents to play an active role in its restoration.

The Trust for Public Land’s Parks for People-Community Rivers program in Maryland is focused on the western Chesapeake Bay shoreline and tributaries of
the four major river systems-the Gunpowder, Patuxent, Patapsco, and Potomac.

Working with government agencies at the local, county, state, and federal levels and with local organizations, The Trust for Public Land’s goal is to see
one-third of the land along these shores protected as parks and open space.

Through a GIS analysis, the program has identified over 230,000 acres of high-priority unprotected lands within a mile of the western shore of Chesapeake Bay and the four tributaries. the program is seeking to collaborate with public and private partners to collectively advance protection of these lands and create one of the greenest and most natural metropolitan river park systems in America.

To learn more, please visit: www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=22585&folder_id=628

Or contact: Tom Gilbert, Regional Conservation Services Director- tom.gilbert@tpl.org

Baltimore, Maryland will play host to the 10th National River Rally, May 29-June 1, 2009. Like the nine River Rallies preceding it, River Rally 2009 is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss. Events planned include:

* A series of intensive, 4-hour workshops on Friday afternoon

* Over 70 additional workshops covering topics of interest to staff, volunteers and board members of river conservation organizations

* Office hours, mentoring sessions and real life, in-person conversations with funders and exhibitors

* The River Heroes Banquet: a memorable and inspirational night of celebrating our own leaders

* Unsurpassed networking opportunities

* River Action Day: American Rivers is organizing a day on The Hill for the river conservation community. Spend Monday learning how to make the most out of your visit and spend Tuesday meeting with your congressional leaders.

Baltimore Regency Hyatt
300 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

For more information, visit the River Network website – www.rivernetwork.org