This is an important gain for brown trout protection, as brown trout populations have declined significantly in their natural range. The combination of human population growth, urbanization and climate change has led to significant habitat degradation, mainly due to loss of forest cover and riparian areas, increased water temperature and siltation. As a result, brown trout are found in less than 35% of their historically populated areas in Maryland. For anglers concerned about their ability to catch trout, MNR will continue its usual efforts to stock approximately 330,000 hatchery-raised trout per year. Apart from domestic brown trout, trout offers many opportunities to catch and keep other trout species. With respect to brown trout, MNR believes that the value of releasing these fish is greater than harvesting, both socially and environmentally, especially given the many opportunities to harvest stocked trout. Maryland fishing licenses and trout stamps are not required for anglers under the age of 15. Prince George County • Allen`s Pond: 600 golden and rainbow trout • Greenbelt Lake: 450 golden and rainbow trout • Artemesia Lake: 450 golden and rainbow trout • Melwood Pond: 500 golden and rainbow trout • Tucker Pond: 500 golden and rainbow trout As the title suggests, these locations are only limited to catching and releasing lines until a certain date. Delaying harvesting provides anglers with several benefits, including more fish that need to be caught, and these long-term acclimatized fish exhibit more natural trout feeding behavior, giving fly fishermen additional opportunities to test their skills by adjusting hatches on streams with delayed catch regulations. In contrast, most Put and Take streams are “caught” after a few days and stocked fish are often designed to feed on pelletized feed from hatcheries. Several stocking stocks from delayed harvest areas offer trout harvesters a higher success rate over a longer period of time, with the advantage that five fishing barriers are limited in late spring or early summer, long after most garbage and trout streams have recorded peaks in trout catches. There are two distinct groups of designated trout fishing areas whose harvest has been delayed. Currently, much of the fish is farmed for Maryland`s freshwater trout fishery, check out the hatchery on their website.
MNR has scheduled a special virtual meeting for February 4, 2021 at noon to discuss the new rules. Dan Goetz, director of statewide freshwater fishing operations, will discuss new regulations and changes to the trout stocking plan for spring 2021. Anglers who catch and register a trout that meets or exceeds the minimum Angler Award sizes – 20 inches for a Rainbow and 21 inches for a Brown – receive an Angler Award certificate, the Angler Award program has a long history and includes 60 nationwide. During the planting season, updates are posted daily on the Internet on dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/trout/stocking.aspx, Facebook, Twitter and through the ministry`s email subscription service, dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/email.aspx. Anglers can also call 800-688-3467 and press option #1 to get a recorded weekly update (usually updated on Fridays). To maintain and improve current brown trout populations, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is developing a conservation plan to improve population resilience. Maryland is also a signatory partner to the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The agreement includes the brook trout result, which calls for an 8% increase in occupied habitat by 2025. The State of Maryland grants a reduced fishing license price of $5.00 to any resident who is 65 years of age or older or who reaches the age of 65 during the current calendar year to fish in Maryland`s fresh waters (including trout) and Maryland`s tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Atlantic coast and coastal bays for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Brown trout populations are constantly changing due to a variety of factors. Droughts, high currents and anchor ice are factors that can affect the recruitment and future abundance of these fish. Eliminating the crop will not correct population decline due to extreme weather, climate change and land use change, but it can minimize further losses, especially during stressful times when tall adults are most vulnerable.