By Steve Chaconas
When new Maryland fishing license fees went into effect on June 1st, there was a mixed reception from the social media audience. Many felt that the cost of a fishing license was still a good value among today’s entertainment choices. The average concert ticket is $150-235. Attending a pro sports event starts up to $150. Even the price of movie admission is $16. Depending on how many times you fish and for how many hours, the new annual license comes in at a bargain for $32.
Some say they will no longer fish or plan to fish elsewhere. This was a consideration by Department of Natural Resource (DNR) staff, Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission and Black Bass Advisory Committee (BBAC). Outdoor recreation is a major contributor to Maryland’s economy. DNR’s Fishing and Boating Services Director Lynn Fegley says “We approach fee adjustments deliberately because we know anglers make our work possible. Every nontidal fishing license purchased represents a direct investment in the future of Maryland’s aquatic resources and recreational opportunities.”
MDs Freshwater Fisheries and Hatcheries Division monitors, manages, stocks, and promotes access to freshwater species. Fishing license sales comprise 65% of the division’s funding and only 5% comes from MD funding. A federal excise tax brings in about 30% of the budget. This tax comes from sales of fishing rods, reels and expanded taxable items to include motorboat fuel. The federal allocation is static and based on land and water area and numbers of license holders. In tight budgetary times, it’s unlikely fishing would receive more funding from the state’s general fund. The only budget line with any wiggle room is license sales. Until the increase went into effect, the budgetary outlook for the DNR looked bleak with staffing and programs most certainly on the chopping block.
Following the DNR’s user-pay, public-benefit model, license revenue directly and specifically supports the programs and resources for nontidal fishing such as trout stocking and fish population assessments. It was determined fees needed to increase to continue to support nontidal programs and resources. It has been 18 years since MD has changed nontidal fishing fees. In this time, expenses for maintaining fish populations and resources have risen 56%. The bigger bargain was the trout stamp as these fees haven’t increased for 33 years while the cost of trout-related programs increased by 129%. Inflation drove up costs and new fees were set in accordance with the inflation rate set by the Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index, comparable fees of neighboring states, and the current national average for comparable licenses and stamps.
Existing and additional funding will support hatcheries operations and stockings, improve waterway access, fight invasive species, and long-term fisheries sustainability management. Even with the well thought out fee increases, it’s still not enough to grow the fisheries. The BBAC has long been concerned with the effectiveness of MD black bass stocking efforts. Board member Scott Sewell, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director of the Year, spearheaded stocking of bigger largemouth bass in MD fisheries. Until then, MD DNR could only stock 3-inch fish as the hatcheries were only able to raise fish to that size and the cost of purchasing larger fish wasn’t in the budget. Sewell spent several years convincing his fellow BBAC members and the DNR that stocking larger fish had an immediate and longer lasting impact over stocking 3-inch fish. Cost remained a concern, but Sewell pushed forward with a voluntary donation at the time of license purchase to support the stocking of larger bass, providing better habitat, education, and other related activities. Sewell’s bill was approved in this year’s General Assembly and funds came in.
So far, the Conservation Fund has brought in nearly $4400. The Department didn’t waste much time targeting this new revenue to improve fisheries with $2800 in Conservation Funds and an additional $1500 in Department funds for the purchase of a bead filter. This filter enhances a hatchery’s ability to produce bigger fish by pumping water through a dense bed of small plastic beads to mechanically filter suspended sediments and debris. It also provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow that converts harmful ammonia and nitrite into less toxic nitrates through biological filtration. A UV light on the bead filter plumbing helps to sterilize water from harmful bacteria and microorganisms. The bead filter maintains adequate water quality to raise high densities of fish. Current bead filter expectations are for about 5,000 6-8 inch fish to be stocked this fall.
MD DNR Tidal Black Bass Manager Ryan Gary is optimistic that the bead filter will greatly improve the success of stocking. The Department seeks to stock over 30,000 bass across the state with 25-50% ending up in the Potomac River. These efforts and fish care standards for tournaments launched out of Maryland will allow Maryland fisheries to continue to maintain a high standard for resident and visiting bass anglers. The fee increases are likely to benefit anglers.
About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube video channel NationalBassGuide
Potomac River Bassing in September
Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and topwaters are fall fishing options.
Firetiger crankbaits that dive up to 6 feet are ways to find moving fall fish. Cast on 10 pound test Gamma CoPoly line along cover and depth changes. Make sure hooks are sharp.
Spinnerbaits are great on 12 pound test Gamma EDGE fluorocarbon line, especially when water is stained, with cloudy skies, and some chop on the water. Make contact with grass remnants and hard cover like wood and docks. White skirts and gold blades are best.
Bladed jigs are working on 12 pound Gamma Edge fluorocarbon. Vary speeds. The clearer the water, try white, then craw patterns, and finally black/blue when water is really stained.
Topwater baits like poppers and walkers work best when water is clear and calm and with cloudy skies. Tie to 20 pound Gamma Torque braid. Vary speeds of retrieve and length of pauses.