MISSION STATEMENT
PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE wild NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE FISH AND THEIR HABITATS
MARYLAND native fishes
Wild native brook trout, the only salmonid native to the state, are found in all of Maryland’s geographical areas: Appalachian Plateau (Western Maryland), Piedmont (Central Maryland), and Coastal Plain. As of 2005 there were 151 streams in Maryland with populations of wild brook trout. Over half of these were in Western Maryland. In 109 cases, brook trout were the only salmonid present. Of the other 42 streams, 33 supported a mixed population of brook trout and nonnative brown trout, 6 supported a mixed population of brook trout and nonnative brown and rainbow trout, and 3 had a population of brook trout and nonnative rainbow trout. This represented an estimated aggregate length of roughly 380 miles. In approximately 285 miles, brook trout were the only salmonid present. Today, per Maryland Department of Natural Resources, wild native brook trout still persist in roughly 100 streams, the most notable of which are in the Savage River upstream of Savage River Dam. To their credit, Maryland Department of Natural Resources does not stock brook trout in state waters. In their own words, “Brook trout normally associated with hatchery production are considered a threat to the genetic integrity of the native brook trout heritage.” Brook trout are also well protected from a regulatory standpoint in Maryland. Other native freshwater fish include yellow perch, pumpkinseed, rock bass, chain pickerel, Maryland darter, longnose gar, striped killfish, American brook lamprey, and the catadromous American eel. Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries provide spawning and nursery habitat for what is said to be 70-90% of striped bass, Maryland’s official state fish and locally referred to as rockfish, on the east coast. American and hickory shad, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, all anadromous species, are native as well. A close relative of striped bass, white perch are native to the state, spending their entire lives in the Chesapeake Bay system. Coastal Maryland is also home to native bluefish, black drum, red drum, spotted sea trout, black sea bass, summer flounder, alewife, and blueback herring.
status, threats, and conservation
Like most states, many of Maryland’s native fish are stressed, or worse. Threats include development, habitat degradation, pollution, angler exploitation, fish stocking, nonnative fish introductions, and a changing climate. According to Maryland Department of Natural Resources, there are 7 species of fish in Maryland classified as Endangered: Maryland Darter, stripeback darter, blackbanded sunfish, ironcolor shiner, stonecat, shortnose Sturgeon, and Atlantic sturgeon. Six species are listed as Threatened: Flier, glassy darter, American brook lamprey, pearl dace, comely shiner, and Chesapeake logperch. Another nearly 100 species are classified as Species in Need of Conservation, including mud sunfish, swamp darter, striped shiner, striped bass, hickory and American shad, yellow perch, Spanish mackerel, bluefin tuna, swordfish, Atlantic blue and white marlin, Atlantic sailfish, black and red grouper, and menhaden. Maryland darter, a species found only in Maryland, are listed as Endangered at the federal level. Last confirmed in 1988, these unique fish could be extinct. American eel populations are down and efforts have been made to increase their numbers. Alewife, blueback herring, America shad, and hickory shad, are protected under statewide catch-and-release regulations to protect them.
MARYLAND nfc board
Below is our Maryland State Board. This dedicated group of volunteers are our "boots on the ground" in Maryland, home to miles of river and stream, numerous lakes and ponds, and a number of wild native fish species.
MARYLAND nfc ADvisory CounCil
Below is our Maryland Advisory Council. This group of volunteers represents a veritable all-star team of subject matter expertise and hands-on experience. They work with the Maryland board to identify areas in need of attention, while providing technical assistance.
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IAN CRABTREE grew up on the shores of Maryland’s…