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Tidal Bass Stocking

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has released over 5 million young largemouth bass into Maryland's tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay since 1980. Routine stocking is sometimes necessary to maintain or grow bass fisheries, such as when habitat conditions severely limit reproduction. To assist in stocking, the department considers input from anglers and the general public alike, as well as bass fishing clubs. All fish stocking follows a stocking policy established in 2014. 

Bass are usually raised in the department's warm water hatcheries at Joseph Manning Hatchery and U​nicorn Lake Hatchery​. The department also purchases largemouth from state-approved vendors to stock some rivers and works in conjunction with Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. who grow bass which are routinely stocked in the Gunpowder River and Middle River. Please see below for the most recent list of stocked areas.


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6/26/2023Prince GeorgesPotomac River25,0002 - 4 inches
5/1/2023CharlesPotomac River60,0001 - 2 inches
5/1/2023Prince GeorgesPotomac River25,0001 - 2 inches
6/7/2022CharlesPotomac River77,0002 - 4 inches
6/1/2022CarolineMarshyhope Creek2508 - 12 inches
6/1/2022WicomicoWicomico River2508 - 12 inches
5/26/2022CharlesPotomac River100,0001 - 2 inches
10/27/2021BaltimoreGunpowder River9238 - 12 inches
7/21/2021CharlesPotomac River52008 - 12 inches
6/30/2021CharlesPotomac River89004 - 6 inches
6/29/2021CharlesPotomac River210004 - 6 inches
6/29/2021Prince GeorgesPotomac River186004 - 6 inches
6/29/2021Prince GeorgesPotomac River60004 - 6 inches
10/28/2020HarfordGunpowder River6424 - 8 inches
8/12/2020CharlesPotomac River25004 - 8 inches
8/12/2020Prince GeorgesPiscataway25004 - 8 inches
7/2/2020CharlesMattawoman81002 - 4 inches
10/24/2019CecilBohemia River3004 - 8 inches
10/24/2019CecilSusquehanna Flats15004 - 8 inches
10/24/2019KentSassafras River9004 - 8 inches
10/24/2019KentStill Pond Creek3004 - 8 inches
10/17/2019CarolineMarshyhope Creek5006 - 12 inches
10/16/2019HarfordGunpowder River12004 - 8 inches
6/24/2019CharlesPotomac River420002 - 4 inches