Annapolis (December 29, 1998) -- Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin is asking the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) for approval to provide additional fishing opportunity for recreational striped bass anglers.

"For the last three years, recreational anglers in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay have not caught their allocation of striped bass," Secretary Griffin said. "Our proposal continues the conservative management of the fishery, while allowing anglers additional days and a change in the creel limit."

The proposed season for recreational and charter anglers includes:

• April 23 through May 31, one fish per-person per-day with a 28-inch minimum. Fishing will be restricted to waters of the Chesapeake Bay between a line that extends from the Patapsco River to Swan Point, and the Maryland/Virginia state line, including Tangier and Pocomoke sounds;

• June 1-13, one fish per-person per-day 18-28 inches, and one fish per-person per-day 28 inches or larger, with no area restrictions; and

• June 14 through Nov. 30, two fish per-person per-day, 18 inches or larger, with no area restrictions.

Regulations for the Potomac River and its tributaries will be announced at a later time. The Atlantic Coast recreational fishery will remain open year round, with two fish per-person per-day and a 28-inch minimum. Maryland's commercial regulations will remain the same.

"Fishing in the Chesapeake bay during 1998 was phenominal for almost all species, including species not normally seen," Secretary Griffin said. "With record numbers of stripers in the Bay and a good 1996 striped bass year class to fish, I'm looking forward to 1999."