The Deep Creek Blog

Tests Show No Evidence That Whirling Disease is Spreading in Maryland

DNR officials are continuing to monitor sites throughout the state for evidence of whirling disease.  Results from recent tests found no evidence the disease is spreading.

Anglers are urged to continue precautions to prevent spread of the disease such as cleaning boats and equipment thoroughly after fishing and not transporting live fish, insects, bait, or plant from one body of water to another.

“The North Branch Potomac River Catch and Return Trout Fishing Area and the outflow channel at Bear Creek remain the only affected waters according to results from this spring’s sampling,” said Don Cosden, Assistant Director of DNR’s Fisheries Service. Testing was performed to determine the presence of the parasite that causes whirling disease using both rainbow trout fry sentinels and wild fish.

Sentinel fry testing showed that Antietam Creek, Big Hunting Creek, Gunpowder River, Hoyes Run, Deep Creek Lake Tailrace, and the Savage River were all negative for the presence of the parasite, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Health Center in Lamar, Pa.

Sentinel fry in the Bear Creek Trout Rearing Facility near Accident, Md. was conducted within the raceways as well as in the water supply intake from Bear Creek. All these trout fry tested negative for the disease. However, testing within the discharge channel below the hatchery reaffirmed the presence of the parasite. Steps are taking place to isolate this area from the Bear Creek mainstem to reduce possible contamination of the stream. Wild brook trout and free ranging rainbow trout collected from Bear Creek above and below the hatchery earlier this spring all tested negative for whirling disease.

The North Branch Potomac River downstream of Jennings Randolph Lake continued to test positive for whirling disease. Whirling disease was first documented in Maryland in the North Branch in 1996.

Additional testing results from the Casselman River, Youghiogheny River, Jennings Randolph Lake and Sand Run will be available soon. DNR asks fishermen to visit their Web site at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/indexinland.html#2 for more information to help prevent the spread of whirling disease

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"Take Me Fishing Day" is Last Free Fishing Day in Maryland for 2008

Governor Martin O’Malley has proclaimed Friday, July 4th Take Me Fishing™ Day, and is encouraging Maryland citizens and visitors to take a young person out for a fun, fishing adventure on Maryland’s third and final free fishing day of 2008.   

While children under 16 do not need a license to fish in Maryland, Free Fishing Days allow those 16 and over to catch and possess fin fish in the tidal and non tidal waters of the State for recreational purposes without an angler's license, Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the State.

“Take me fishing day is one more opportunity for everyone to enjoy Maryland’s great outdoors this holiday weekend,” said the Governor.

Take Me Fishing™, is sponsored by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating and thereby increase public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving and restoring this nation's aquatic resources. RBFF is funded primarily through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information about fishing in Maryland, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/.

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Fishing Bonanza

This fisherman had a good day on Saturday, catching over five fish in a short period of time off of his dock on Turkey Neck.  Worms were the bait of choice, enticing a wide variety of fish.  Saturday was a "Free Fishing Day" in Maryland.  You can catch the next one on July 4. 

The Deep Creek Challenge

You'll notice a lot of fishermen this weekend on the banks of the Deep Creek Lake State Park taking part in the 2008 Deep Creek Challenge, a carp fishing tournament.  The thirty five hour Challenge takes place from June 13 to June 15, 2008.  Sponsors include Scorpion Tackle, Carpology, American Carp Society Holdings, Highcliffe Clothiers, Ltd., and Wild West Carp Adventures. 

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19th Annual Herrington Manor Fishing Rodeo

Speaking of kids fishing...the 19th Annual Herrington Manor State Park Fishing Rodeo takes place this Saturday, June 7 from 8am to 12 noon.  The event is free and open to youth aged 16 and under.  For more information, call 301-334-9180 x208. 

The First Fish

Maryland's My 1st Fish Program recognizes your little angler's first catch with a certificate.  Visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/recreational/tournament/firstfish.html for more detail.

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DNR Urges Anglers to Use Wader Sterilization Stations

Since discovering Didymo for the first time in Maryland last month, the Maryland DNR has set up six wader sterilization stations throughout the tailwaters of Gunpowder Falls, to prevent further spread of this and other aquatic invasives.  In the coming weeks, stations will also be set up along the Casselman, Youghiogheny and Savage Rivers.

Didymo is an algal diatom that forms long stalks which combine to form heavy, thick mats that can smother a stream bottom. Didymo mats, also called “rock snot,” look slimy, but feel like wet cotton or wool, and can be white, yellow or brown. The stalks can persist for two or more months after the diatoms die, causing habitat damage for an extended period of time.

“Didymo and other aquatic invasive species seriously jeopardize the health of our rivers, streams and Bay,” said Don Cosden, an assistant director with the DNR Fisheries Service. “Not only do these exotic species disrupt the local ecosystem, they are capable of permanently displacing or eradicating native species, including trout and other freshwater fisheries. We need anglers and other recreational users of this area to take 60 seconds to sterilize gear, and protect the waters they enjoy.”

Although there is no human health risk associated with the species, DNR is developing an aggressive plan of attack to deal with this invader, including asking anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to use extra precautions when moving from one stream or lake to another. Movement of a single cell can contaminate a new waterway, and once Didymo is established, it can cover and suffocate a stream bottom.

“Proper angler protocol is the main line of defense in preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasives,” said Jonathan McKnight, chair of DNR’s Invasive Species Team. “We are strongly urging anglers to properly sterilize their waders and all gear that comes in contact with the water prior to using the gear in a new location.”

DNR strongly urges citizens to sterilize boots, paddles, boats and anything else that comes into contact with stream water; anglers may want to consider having two sets of equipment in order to move safely from one spot to another. DNR also advises against using felt bottom boots and waders – the worst culprits in the spread of aquatic invaders – replacing them with non-porous materials. If felt waders are used, they should be completely immersed in salt solution before being used in another location.

Proper sterilization procedures include:
Before leaving a stream, scrub away all dirt and debris.
At home or at a wader sterilization station, disinfect equipment by scrubbing or soaking in at least a 5 percent salt solution (2 cups salt/2.5 gallons water) for 60 seconds and then letting dry completely or scrub with dish detergent and rinse well.
If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours before next use. 

Originally found in Scotland and extreme northern Europe and Asia, Didymo has been transported worldwide. Recently, the species has been found in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. In many cases, anglers have unknowingly transported the diatom on their fishing gear.

DNR urges anyone who observes Didymo on rivers other than the Gunpowder Falls to contact Don Cosden at 410-260-8287 as soon as possible.

For more information on Didymo and other invasive species, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.

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Free Fishing Days on Deep Creek Lake

Enjoy free fishing days in Maryland freshwater, including Deep Creek Lake.  Everyone is invited to fish without a license on these days only. 

Saturday June 7
Saturday June 14
Friday July 4

If you would like to fish on other days, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/service/fishinfo.asp for details on how to purchase a license.   

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Yough Walleye Association Invitational

Congratulations to Ken Harding and Dave Sines of Oakland, who won the 14th Annual Yough Walleye Association Invitational Tournament, as reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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Official Garrett County Fishing Contest

The Official Garrett County Fishing Contest, sponsored by Deep Creek Outfitters and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is now underway. 

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