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Conservation &
Environment Conservation
Report, 2008 All of the fish were released in heavy grass beds located in creeks off of the main river. The reason for releasing them in those areas was 2-fold. One, it provides them with cover to hide from the fall rockfish population that moves up in the river at that time of year, and two, it offers them an abundance of food comprised of thousands of small fish, grass shrimp, and other small crustaceans. In addition to the bass released in Middle River, an additional 1,800 baby bass were released into the headwaters of the Choptank River and Tuckahoe Creek on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. I would like to thank Wheelabrator of Baltimore, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the volunteers who assisted for a job well done! Elk River Project At my urging, the Maryland DNR has put in a request for $100,000 in 2009 to fund an evaluation and design of a breakwater for the boating facility at Rogues Harbor. Hopefully, the money will remain in the budget for this worthy project. As of this writing, it is still in place. Here is the request as listing in an internal DNR memo: Elk Neck State Park Rogues Harbor Evaluation and design of a breakwater for the boating facility at Rogues Harbor. Design shall include preparation of plans and specifications, construction cost estimates, permits and A/E services during the bid, construction and post construction phases $100,000 request for 09 My idea is to have something similar to the design at Leesylvannia on the Potomac River. A breakwater of that type would accomplish several goals: • It would create a "calm" area of water for launching and pulling out boats. • It would enhance safety in the area of the ramp by eliminating rough wave actions that make docking hazardous at best. • It would create a safer environment at the gas dock. • The rocks would create habitat that will enhance all aquatic animal life in the immediate area. • The calmer water would help prevent some delayed mortality of stressed fish by eliminating rough conditions. • It would enhance the chances of bringing more large tournaments to the area, therefore bringing in more money for the State through park fees, and generate thousands of dollars for local businesses. Middle River/Wilson Point Ramp I have made several
suggestions to Baltimore County regarding needed enhancements at the new
launching ramp in Middle River. However, to date, I have not received a
response. See my emails below: From: Sewell, Scott Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 3:13 PM To: 'Norman Knoerlein' Subject: RE: Wilson Point Ramp Norm, -----Original Message----- From: Sewell, Scott Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:51 AM To: 'Norman Knoerlein' Subject: RE: Wilson Point Ramp Hi Norm, Thanks, -----Original Message----- From: Norman Knoerlein [mailto:nknoerlein@baltimorecountymd.gov] Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 2:40 PM To: Sewell, Scott Subject: RE: Wilson Point Ramp Hi Scott, Thanks, Norman Knoerlein "Sewell, Scott" <ssewell@provbank.com> 09/24/07 1:17 PM Hi Norm, Thx, -----Original Message----- From: Sewell, Scott Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 3:36 PM To: 'Norman Knoerlein (E-mail)' Cc: 'Joe Bartenfelder (E-mail)'; 'Bob Barrett (E-mail)'; 'John Markley (E-mail)' Subject: RE: Wilson Point Ramp Hi Norm, Last Wednesday we had 35 boats! Have you given any thought to my suggestions below? Thanks, -----Original Message----- From: Sewell, Scott Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 3:47 PM To: Norman Knoerlein (E-mail) Cc: Joe Bartenfelder (E-mail); Bob Barrett (E-mail); John Markley (E-mail) Subject: Wilson Point Ramp Hi Norm, I realize that the county has to budget for capital improvements, and I realize that the park is not even officially open. However, there is a dire need to install additional docking area for boaters to secure their vessels while retrieving their tow vehicles, parking their tow vehicles, participating in tournaments, etc. I have given this problem a lot of thought, and I have surveyed the shoreline very intensely in order to offer some possible solutions to this issue. I would like to offer the following suggestions: * Install additional floating docks equipped with mooring cleats on the south side of the ramp, similar to the one on the north side. * Install a dock parallel to, and adjoining the shoreline along the shoreline on the north side of the ramp. (currently, boaters cannot "tie-off" along the bulkhead there due to the rip-rap in the water.) * Install a dock parallel to the shoreline south of the ramp. * Extend the existing floating dock another 40-50' with necessary mooring cleats. * Install mooring cleats on the backside of the existing floating pier. I am available to discuss these suggestions in more detail if you so desire. Sincerely, I will continue my efforts with county officials in the hope of getting at least some of my suggestions put in place. As always, if you have a question or suggestion regarding conservation, feel free to contact me or any of our Regional Conservation Representatives: • Western: Jim Kline 301-791-3724 • Central: Kevin McCarthy 240-246-1999 • Southern: Jim Adair 410-255-0226 • Northern: Dave Wickenheiser 410- 676-0255 Scott Sewell
Wheelabrator Recognized for Co-operative Bass-Stocking Program
Scott
Sewell, Conservation Director of the Maryland Bass Federation
Nation (r), presents a plaque of appreciation to Ted Hartman and
Jim Robinson of Wheelabrator Baltimore for their continuing
participation in a co-operative bass-stocking program. Sewell
initiated the program in 2002 to restore the once thriving bass
population in
Fishing Expo We raised $180.00 in donations for
upcoming conservation projects by selling hats, shirts, patches and other
items donated by myself, B.A.S.S. and Penzoil. Conservation Workshop We also visited the brand new Florida Black Bass Research facility that was about a week away from having it’s grand opening. We had an extensive tour of the classrooms, laboratories and hatchery areas. Although a state project, it was developed and enhanced with donations and support from private companies including B.A.S.S. and Berkley. The only word to describe it is "AWESOME"! Dissolved Oxygen
Meters * In hot weather (water temp 75+), run your livewells continuously * Add ice to keep the temperature from getting too hot * Do not handle your catch excessively * Use additives such as "Bass Alive" to maintain salt levels * Keep the livewell water levels full * Exchange the water several times to eliminate waste * Keep your catch in the livewell if there is a line at weigh-in. 10 lbs of fish in a bag containing one to two gallons of water will reduce oxygen to lethal limits in about 2 minutes! Secure and read the publication "Keeping Bass Alive" for more detailed information. If you don’t have a copy, email me at: nitro1707@comcast.net Club Projects Let’s not forget that without good conservation, we could lose our great bass fishery that we currently enjoy. Remember, as members of the Maryland Bass Federation, we want to set the standards for all of our fellow fishermen to aspire to. We do not want the public to only think of us as powerboat bullies on the water in our expensive boats disregarding the rights of others so that we can fish our tournaments. We are the premier fishing organization in Maryland and the nation that is at the forefront of conservation and youth activities. Litter Also, I couldn’t help but notice at our Potomac River tournament, the number of coffee cups, food wrappers, and other trash that was left in the men’s room at the office. Please keep in mind that all Maryland State Parks are "trash-free". All patrons are requested to take their trash with them, and dispose of properly. Remember, we are the premier fishing organization in Maryland, so let’s set the standard of excellence for the rest. Enough said! Black Bass Roundtable If you have any suggestions, concerns or other issues you would like covered, be sure to contact myself or your Region Conservation Representatives: * Southern: Kevin Waterman * Western: Jim Kline Maryland BASS Federation BASS Stocking Program
On November 2, 2005 we culminated this year’s baby bass stocking program. As you may recall, I initiated this program in 2002 in response to a second year of very poor bass fishing in Middle River. In the Winter of 1999 and 2000 there was a very devastating fish-kill in Middle River that killed several thousand fish, including largemouth bass, white & yellow perch, bluegill and other varieties of brim. In the summer of 2000 another fish-kill occurred that killed hundreds more. Not surprisingly, bass fishing fell to its worst level that could be remembered for many years. Prior to the year 2000, Middle River was the "go to" river for many anglers, especially tournament fisherman launching out of Dundee or Joppatowne. As the Conservation Director for the MBF, and as a resident of Middle River, I was determined to restore my home water to its previous state of being one of Maryland’s finest bassing destinations. I solicited private donations for conservation activities, and was able to raise $2,000, which was put into our MBF treasury and earmarked for stocking purposes. I also wrote to DNR and requested that they resume including Middle River in their stocking program, which they did. After another poor year of bass fishing in 2001, I explored the possibility of forming a "partnership" with an organization or business that had an aqua-center where fish could be raised to a larger size before being released into the wild. Fortunately, I found such a partner at the Wheelabrator Company (formerly RESCO) in Baltimore. I then learned that DNR would be willing to donate bass fingerlings for the project. In July
of 2002, DNR supplied approximately 5,000 fingerlings that were placed in
the aqua-center at RESCO in Baltimore. RESCO operated the tanks, fed the
fish and provided maintenance. DNR provided oversight and supplied the
food. Things had progressed very nicely throughout the summer, but tragedy
struck in October about 2 weeks before the baby bass were to be released.
A power failure occurred at the aqua-center building over the weekend that
went undetected until Monday morning. All of the fish died except for
approximately 200 hearty souls. Those remaining fish were quickly
retrieved by DNR and brought out to Middle River. However, at that time
the salinity content was determined to be too high in Middle River, so it
was decided to release them in the Gunpowder River near Joppatowne. In 2003, after an alarm system for the power supply was installed at RESCO, we received another batch of 5,000 fingerlings from DNR and put them into the aqua-center. Again, things progressed very well through out the summer. However, when we retrieved the fish in October, we found that there was only about 8-900. We then learned that predatation was very high, resulting in some fish becoming very large in a short period of time by feasting on their siblings. Thanks to the efforts of numerous MBF members, we met DNR at the MARCO club in Middle River with our bass boats. After transferring the fish from DNR’s oxygenated tanks to our live-wells, each boater distributed his load of fish in a predetermined location in an area with cover and or grass. The average length of the fish was 6-8". Although we missed 2004, in 2005 we got the program up and running again. However, due to a poor spawn at the state hatcheries, DNR was unable to provide the fingerlings as in years past. Therefore, the MBF Executive Board approved the expenditure of $1,000 at the July meeting for the purchase of bass fingerlings from a state-approved hatchery. On July 29, 2005 MBF President Roger Trageser & I met the owner of Frey’s Fish Ponds at Wheelabrator and took possession of about 700 2-3" fingerlings that were immediately put into the aqua-center. Since I have a new job in the same general area, I was able to check on them frequently through out the summer until they were released in early November. Although there was the lingering problem of predatation, we were able to minimize it this year by removing some of the larger fish around early September. When the remaining fish were released, their average size was 7 – 9". We again utilized the facilities of the MARCO Club for our staging area where DNR brought the fish. We again distributed the bass in the headwaters of the various creeks of Middle River. The locations were chosen that had sufficient cover or grass to enhance their success of survival. Although the project was initiated to bolster Middle River’s bass fishery, it was decided to place 300 of the baby bass into the Choptank River because of the declining catch rate there. DNR transported and released those fish into the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek near Hillsboro, and the Greensboro area of the Choptank River. Hopefully, those fish will thrive, propagate and help make the Choptank River a healthier bass fishery. In 2006 we are looking to continue with this important program. I have already been assured by DNR that we will get all of the fingerlings we need from them with no charge. I would like to thank Don Cosden, Rick Schaeffer and all of their staff at DNR for their guidance and support with transporting and releasing the baby bass. I would also like to express our appreciation to the staff at Wheelabrator who maintained the water quality, equipment and took care of feeding the brood. Also, thanks go out to the MARCO Club for allowing us to use their ramp and facilities as our staging area, and to their members who helped distribute the fish. Finally, I want to personally thank our President Roger Trageser for his strong support of the program and his assistance through out the project. |
