Recent surveys of juvenile striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed yielded mixed results for 2026. Conducted by biologists in Maryland and Virginia, the surveys included counts of juvenile striped bass and other species in waters of the Chesapeake Bay. … Continued
The new bird islands at Barren Island were designed with nesting birds in mind, but in 2026, wildlife moved in even before construction was complete. Common terns and least terns began nesting on the newly created sandy habitat during a … Continued
A recent Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report details the significant growth of the oyster population and substantial progress toward the state’s oyster management goals for the past five years. The report is part of the department’s commitment to … Continued
In 2025, underwater grass abundance increased in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. In Maryland’s portion of the Bay, underwater grass coverage expanded from 36,799 acres in 2024 to 41,419 acres in 2025, an increase of nearly 13% in … Continued
In August, the state of Maryland released information about its pollution reduction targets set under the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to improve water quality. Based on the most recent information from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s pollution model, Maryland achieved … Continued
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is awarding $11.2 million in grants from the Whole Watershed Fund to accelerate restoration efforts in five key watersheds across the state. Established by the Whole Watershed Act, this second year of the … Continued
At Masonville Cove, a bird banding program is helping researchers better understand migration along the Chesapeake Bay, while also revealing something exciting: the return of birds first banded in 2023. Since the program began, more than 3,000 birds representing about … Continued
In May, results of the 2026 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey were released by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). 2026 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey Highlights … Continued
Catfish tournaments provide a chance to earn bragging rights and to win prizes. Whether anglers are looking to stuff coolers with wild-caught Maryland seafood or compete for prize money, angling for blue catfish can be rewarding. This list includes upcoming … Continued
A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) study revealed that bowfishing and gigging – using a pronged spear – are the most common ways northern snakehead (Chesapeake Channa) are harvested in Maryland. These methods eclipse hook-and-line, commercial, and departmental … Continued