Maryland is doubling down on efforts to combat invasive fish species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, offering anglers a variety of opportunities to remove problem fish while competing for cash, prizes, and bragging rights.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging recreational anglers to target invasive blue catfish, a nonnative predator that has expanded throughout Maryland waterways. According to the agency, blue catfish prey on important native species including blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden, creating concerns for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Unlike many sportfish, blue catfish in Maryland face no recreational harvest limits, no size restrictions, and no closed season. The species can grow to impressive sizes, with Maryland’s state-record blue catfish weighing 82 pounds. As a result, anglers have the unique opportunity to simultaneously enjoy a challenging fishery and help reduce invasive populations…