Over the last few days, the most controversial news on several other local fishing sites is a change to DNR regulations regarding the number of lines that can be deployed at one time. Historically, freshwater anglers were limited to three lines, but tidal water anglers were not restricted. DNR revised its rules for tidal water anglers such that no more than three lines can be used at one time. It primarily affects those power boats that troll large numbers of lines. Realistically for kayak anglers, this also relates to trolling. I often troll 4 lines at a time. However, under the new DNR rules, I am limited to three lines. As far as I can tell, there is no limit to the number of rods you can carry on your vessel -- but you cannot be using more than three at one time.
The Maryland fishing community is up in arms for several reasons: a) nobody likes having an existing privilege taken from them, b) DNR did not do an adequate job of public notice and notification as they adopted these rules -- they pretty much showed up unannounced.
It is not my intent to debate whether the new rules are right or wrong. The purpose of this post is to make the Snaggedline community aware of the changed rules so we can stay on the right side of the regulations.
The Maryland fishing community is up in arms for several reasons: a) nobody likes having an existing privilege taken from them, b) DNR did not do an adequate job of public notice and notification as they adopted these rules -- they pretty much showed up unannounced.
It is not my intent to debate whether the new rules are right or wrong. The purpose of this post is to make the Snaggedline community aware of the changed rules so we can stay on the right side of the regulations.
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