ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service announces the 2011 recreational summer flounder regulations to include a three-fish creel limit, an 18-inch minimum size limit (an inch shorter than last year) and a season to run April 16 through Nov. 30.
“Due to continued increases in the coastwide summer flounder stock and Maryland’s success in staying at or below the fishing target in 2010, summer flounder anglers will enjoy increased access to summer flounder in 2011,” said DNR Fisheries Director Tom O’Connell.
“Our choice of regulation is a direct result of our biologists working together with our anglers to enact regulations that work toward the coastwide rebuilding schedule, while providing quality fishing opportunities to our fishermen.”
A public notice announcing the 2011 regulations was published on March 26. DNR would also like to remind fishermen that the size limit also applies to summer flounder caught by commercial hook and line and is effective April 16.
DNR is encouraging anglers to participate in the fisheries management process by joining the volunteer angler survey. Anglers who join the survey will become eligible to win a rod and reel combo donated by All Tackle.com, a fishing tackle retailer with superstores in Annapolis, Ocean City and online. Go to http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/survey/index.asp to participate.
In addition, any angler who catches a flounder measuring 24 inches or longer and registers it as a citation award eligible fish will receive free admission to the grand finale of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge during the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on Sept. 10.
Simply bring your eligible fish to an authorized citation award center (certain tackle shops and charter boats) to receive your entry ticket and invitation for you and your family to the event. For details, go to http://dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/challenge/index.asp
Visit the Angler’s Log, DNR’s family friendly fishing report page, to see who is catching fish, locate hotspots and see what techniques are working. While you’re there, let people know about your fishing success. Check it out at http://dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/log.asp.