Members of the Chesapeake Guides
Association are taking part in a rockfish survey to help state and
federal
fisheries managers more accurately estimate the composition of the
Bay's resident rockfish stocks, an important factor when determining
creel and minimum size limits for recreational anglers. The
easy-to-use form asks anglers to record the length of the first 20
rockfish they catch on each trip this season.
Another reason to
participate in the volunteer survey is to dispel the idea some other
coastal states have that Chesapeake anglers are fishing on large
fish. Most bay recreational anglers report having to catch numerous
sub-legal rockfish during the resident season before landing a
keeper rockfish (18 inches or longer). The reality is New England
states, Virginia and North Carolina have much great opportunities to
catch large stripers, and anecdotal catch reports over the last
several years bears this
out. Some leaders of the other states have suggested that the
minimum size for resident Chesapeake
rockfish should be increased.
The CGA urges all recreational
anglers and charter captains to take part in this important survey.
Improving
Chesapeake fishing may depend upon it.
Rockfish Survey
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