After much confusion about whether licenses must be bought for 2004 by all recreational crabbers in Maryland waters (a question even the employees at the DNR headquarters couldn’t answer for weeks on end), the word now has come down. The DNR Fisheries Service has received approval from the Legislature to once again have a Chesapeake Bay recreational crabbing license. Along with it came regulations concerning catch limits.
The new license is now in effect.
A $15 license for a recreational crabbing boat was established; the current $40 recreational fishing boat license is also valid as a crabbing boat license. (The complimentary fishing license issued to the boat owner will be recognized also as a crab license even if it doesn’t say so on the permit.)
No recreational crabbing on Wednesdays — except handlines, dip nets or pots from private piers.
Recreational crabbers may set recreational crabbing gear and crab from boats during April, October, November and December between one half hour after sunrise to 5 p.m. on the main Chesapeake Bay, and one half hour after sunrise to sunset in the tributaries.
During May, June, July, August and September, crabbing can commence one half hour before sunrise and end at 5 p.m. in the main body of the Chesapeake, while in the tributaries crabbing can start one half hour before sunrise and stop at sunset.
Be sure to read the language carefully, especially all those “before” and “after” sunrise times, as well as 5 p.m. closings and sunset closings. There’s a huge difference between 5 p.m. and sunset during the warm months.
In summary, costs remain at $5 per Maryland resident; $10 for a non-resident; $2 with a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license and $15 for a boat license. Trotline use requires a license and the trotline is limited to 1,200 feet. No more than 10 collapsible crab traps can be used without a license.
There is one minor change from last year. The peeler and soft crab recreational catch limit for two or more licensed crabbers on a non-licensed boat was changed from four dozen peelers or soft crabs to two dozen peelers or soft crabs to make it consistent with the rest of the limits.
Recreational licenses are now available.
Women in the Outdoors — The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), in partnership with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is sponsoring a Women in the Outdoors event May 1 at the Izaak Walton League facility in Winchester.
This is an all-day event for girls and women (minimum age is 12), offering participation and instruction in various outdoor activities during morning and afternoon sessions. Sessions include fly fishing; wilderness survival; rifle, shotgun and pistol shooting; archery; hunting techniques, including turkey hunting; ethics; map and compass reading; self defense; forest and wildlife ecology. A $50 registration fee includes a one-year NWTF membership, travel mug, Women in the Outdoors magazines, educational materials and equipment use. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Information and registration: Linda Layser, 703/425-6665; rglayser@msn.com; embark.to/NWTF. More details available at nwtf.org.
Virginia Bass Federation seeks members — The Virginia Bass Federation’s Peter Herbst says if you’re interested in joining an organization that is heavy on fisheries conservation, fun tournaments and fellowship, you need to check out the federation’s Web page, www.vabass.com.
Herbst says, “The federation’s site serves two purposes: to disseminate information about angling to [our] more than 2,000 members and to recruit new members.”
EVENTS
• How to catch striped bass — Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Md. Outdoors writers Keith Walters and Bill Burton will do a seminar on striper fishing. Cost of $49 includes continental breakfast and lunch. Registration, 410/822-5400.
• Safari Club banquet and auction — April 17, Caradoc Hall, Leesburg, Va. Details and directions, 703/328-2889, 301/320-4824.
• Look for Gene Mueller’s Outdoors column Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, only in The Washington Times. E-mail: gmueller@washingtontimes.com
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