Updated 2024 Maryland DNR tournament stats, tidal bass survey, etc

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April 10, 2025
Dear Tournament Director,
Thank you for your continued support of our black bass fisheries in Maryland. Your
reports from 2024, and prior years, have supported management of our bass
resources. Please review the latest 2024 summary statistics on our tournament
webpage.
Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/bass/ta.aspx
Historical and present data collected during the tidal bass survey is now available online. The analysis of
these data are how we monitor and manage the health of tidal fisheries. Using an interactive map, you
can now locate your favorite fishery in the state and explore different statistics such as the amount, size,
and location of black bass caught in our surveys. This information is located on the customer resources of
our tidal black bass website linked below, sorted into largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Be sure to
read the directions on the left side of the page to get the most out of the interactive map.
Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/bass/recreational.aspx
A Black Bass Conservation Fund was established in 2023 for anyone interested in donating money to
black bass conservation in Maryland. This fund offers the opportunity for directors and anglers to directly
provide money to support their fisheries. In 2024 the first purchase of a bead filter was made using
conservation funds. This filter will be used to raise and stock larger Black Bass in Maryland's tidal rivers in
2025. For more information on the conservation fund and the bead filter, please visit:
Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/bass/conservation_fund.aspx
The department can purchase supplies (up to $500) for black bass tournament directors who want to
improve their operations during a tournament. Money has been used to purchase nets, bags, and build a
release chute. Directors must meet some criteria for their tournament. Please visit:
Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/bass/bass-conservation.aspx
Our Black Bass Annual Review (Volume 17) will be available in April, emailed to directors and over 50,000
licensed black bass anglers, and uploaded to our Tidal Bass Program website. This review highlights
fishery assessments from 2024, including a summary of the Fish Health Index, and provides details on
new conservation initiatives, such as the purchase of the bead filter with conservation funds, the Black
Bass Advisory Committee, and new tournament permit requirements for hot weather months.
Thank you again for supporting black bass conservation and promoting the fisheries in Maryland. We
look forward to supporting your events in 2025.
Have a great fishing season!
Ryan A. Gary
Tidal Black Bass Manager
Email: ryan.gary@maryland.gov
Phone: 410-260-8911
Tawes State Office Building – 580 Taylor Avenue – Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-260-8DNR or toll free in Maryland 877-620-8DNR – dnr.maryland.gov – TTY Users Call via the Maryland Relay