TOP FISHING STORY: Maryland 2010 Rockfish Season Opens this Saturday!




Published on 04-12-2010 07:49 AM




Get ready to rumble! Maryland's 2010 trophy striped bass season opens this Saturday April 17th. So far the fishing reports from the catch and release pre-trophy season have been good. Fish have been moving into Maryland's Chesapeake waters in good numbers. Colleagues who monitor striped bass spawning activity in the upper reaches of several tributaries on the eastern shore (where striped bass fishing is currently off limits) have told me that spawning activity has been going on for a few weeks now. (picture by Brandon White of opening day last year, 2009) Whether the big push of striped bass has come yet or not is hard to determine, however with the warmer weather and full moon we had just thirteen days ago, you can bet a lot of fish spawned and with the current stretch of sunny days and warmer temperatures more rockfish should be on their way up the bay and/or on their way back out to the ocean just in time for a opening day this Saturday.

If you are interested in fishing a great tournament that also just happens to have a great party, check out the Boatyard Bar and Grill's Opening Day Catch and Release Rockfish Tournament.

Regulations for the 2010 Trophy Season Rockfish Season:

Season: April 17,2010 - May 15, 2010
Minimum size: 28 inches
Number of fish: One (1) fish per person per day
*Charter boat captain or mate not eligible
**You may not possess striped bass while fishing between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.

Bait Restrictions: No Eels. Restricted to the mainstem Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Maryland/ Virginia Line, Tangier & Pocomoke Sounds (no Tributaries)

See the Maryland Department of Resources page for more information and please check before you go fishing to see if any changes are or have been made. Normally nothing should change, but sometimes things happen at the last minute and its good to be familiar with the regulations before you head out.