Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin announced that the General Assembly's Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee has approved Maryland's 1999 recreational and commercial striped bass seasons and regulations.

"We are pleased to be able to offer expanded opportunities for Maryland's recreational anglers, while continuing the conservative, scientific management of the striped bass fishery," Secretary Griffin said.

The regulations also revise the boundary of the Upper Bay spawning reach and establish a hook and release fishing area upstream of a line from Sandy Point to Turkey Point (Susquehanna Flats) from April 10 through May 2, 1999 (see details below).

The following are the recreational and charterboat seasons, and size and creel limits for Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay during the 1999 fishing season:

• 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.

On the Potomac River from April 24 until May 16 there is a 28-inch minimum size limit, with one fish per person, per day. From July 1 until Dec. 31 there is an 18-inch minimum with two fish per person, per day.

The 1998 recreational season on Maryland's Atlantic Coast is open throughout the year, with a two-fish limit of 28 inches or greater in the ocean out to three miles, and in the coastal bays and tributaries.

The 1999 commercial quota will be allocated for harvest from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. The following dates for the commercial fishery were also approved:

• Pound nets, from June 1 - Nov 30 (including Saturdays)
• Haul seines from June 7 - Nov 30
• Hook and line, from June 14 - Nov 30
• Gill nets, from Dec 1 - Feb 29 (leap year)

The number of commercial striped bass fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay is limited, and they must have appropriate commercial fishing licenses, pay striped bass surcharges, and receive a special authorization to fish. All striped bass caught commercially must be tagged prior to landing and checked in daily.

Susquehanna Flats Catch-And-Release

Anglers will be able to catch and release striped bass on the Susquehanna Flats this year, between April 10 and May 2. Regulations approved by the General Assembly's Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee establish a hook and release fishing area upstream of a line from Sandy Point to Turkey Point (Susquehanna Flats).

"A 1998 study of the impact of a catch and release fishery in this area demonstrated that no adverse impacts on the spawning stock should be expected," Secretary Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin said. "The department will intensively monitor this area on a daily basis, and if any unexpected impacts are detected, I will take the appropriate steps to protect the striped bass population, including closures."

Daily monitoring of the fishery will include daily boat counts made by aerial observation, angler interviews and questionnaires, and water temperatures will be continuously monitored. Natural Resources Police Officers will conduct normal patrols of the area.

Anglers not familiar with the area are advised that it is shallow, and when the gates of the Conowingo Dam are opened, they can see rising water levels, changes in currents and occasionally debris.