MARYLAND — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced pre-season stocking of trout in SOMD. This comes along with some pretty big changes to trout fishing regulations in the state for 2021.
Starting on the 1st of January, all brook trout caught from waters east of Interstate 81 (I-81) must be released.
The DNR said this is part of a plan to protect the trout population. “Catch-and-release of brook trout from put-and-take waters will reduce the harvest of brook trout in these areas by anglers who are targeting stocked trout. Forty-five percent of trout anglers indicated harvest is a motivating factor to angling in stocked streams, thus more brook trout caught in these streams may be harvested than would normally occur if no trout were stocked.”
The DNR scheduled a special virtual meeting to discuss the new rules for Feb. 4, 2021 at noon. Freshwater Fisheries Statewide Operations Manager, Dan Goetz, will discuss new regulations and changes to the Spring 2021 trout stocking schedule.
Residents may join by following this link: meet.google.com/tra-iqgc-ubd
Or by calling this number: (US) +1 252-484-3066 PIN: 602 252 229#
Here’s a list of the ponds and lakes DNR stocked this week:
Calvert County
• Hutchins Pond: 450 golden and rainbow trout
Charles County
• Hughesville Pond: 400 golden and rainbow trout
• Myrtle Grove Pond: 1,200 golden and rainbow trout
• Wheatley Lake: 900 golden and rainbow trout
Prince George’s County
• Allen’s Pond: 600 golden and rainbow trout
• Greenbelt Lake: 450 golden and rainbow trout
• Lake Artemesia: 450 golden and rainbow trout
• Melwood Pond: 500 golden and rainbow trout
• Tucker Pond: 500 golden and rainbow trout
Stocking dates, times, and locations are chosen based on temperatures, water flow, and weather conditions, and as such are not scheduled in advance. Click here to view a map of the areas stocked.