Applications Are Now Open For Two Blue Catfish Pilot Program
Eligible watermen and charter boat captains may apply for two different blue catfish pilot programs. See below for details and links to apply.
Blue Catfish For-Hire/Commercial Pilot Program
The Blue Catfish Charter Pilot Program will allow participants to run for-hire and commercial fishing trips simultaneously and remove crew limits on commercial hook-and-line fishing trips that target blue catfish.
This action seeks to reduce the amount of blue catfish in Maryland’s waters by financially incentivizing captains to sell excess blue catfish after a charter rather than releasing the fish alive.
There will not be a maximum number of pilot participants for this project. Applicants must hold an appropriate commercial fishing license, target blue catfish on the charter trip, and complete daily reporting for the charter trip and commercial activity.
Applications for the program are open now and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Apply now
Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Program
The department is considering relaxing regulations prohibiting finfish trotlines south of the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge to combat increased abundance and expanded distribution of invasive catfishes through additional commercial harvest.
The Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Program will allow a small number of harvesters to use finfish trotlines in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay south of the Bay Bridge. The department will examine bycatch, user conflicts, and other issues encountered during the pilot before proposing regulation changes to allow widespread use.
Program participants must possess a Maryland Unlimited Tidal Fish License (TFL) or Unlimited Finfish Harvester License (FIN). All harvest must be reported after each trip via an electronic reporting form or logbook provided by the department.
Current license holders can still use finfish trotlines to harvest blue catfish and other fish in legal waters of the state without participating in this program.
Applications are open now through February 20, 2025. A limited number of permits will be issued based on weighted selection criteria.
Apply now
Direct questions about these programs to Chris Jones at christopherm.jones@maryland.gov.
