The Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works to restore migratory fish and other aquatic species, and their habitats in the waterways of Maryland and surrounding states. We work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, coastal waters of Maryland and Delaware, and other freshwater streams of the mid-Atlantic.

Latest News

Portrait of a hellbender under water
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to list the eastern hellbender as endangered
Today, we announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act. Eastern hellbenders are found in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania...
Group of manatees resting in the warm, clear, blue water of Three Sisters Springs
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Findings on Two West Indian Manatee Petitions
ATLANTA, Ga. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed two 90-day findings on Endangered Species Act petitions to uplist the West Indian manatee and the Puerto Rican population of the Antillean manatee. Based on the Service’s review, both petitions present substantial scientific or...
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About Us

Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office was established in 1985. We work to conserve and restore fishes and aquatic species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and Delmarva Peninsula in Maryland and surrounding states. Our priorities are inter-jurisidictional migratory fish, aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species , and habitat restoration. Some of the key species we focus on are Striped Bass, American Shad, and American Eel.

What We Do

The Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation works with partners to conserve and restore American Eel, American Shad, and River Herring through direct population studies and habitat restoration.  We work to control populations of invasive Northern Snakehead in the mid-Atlantic region.  Additionally, we manage Atlantic Coast tagging programs for Striped Bass, Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon and horseshoe crabs to ensure sustainable management of those species. 

Our Organization

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. From habitat restoration to aquatic invasive species prevention, captive breeding to population assessment and monitoring, our programs are driven by the...
Program
Falls Church,VA
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Removing those barriers is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for people. The National...
Program
A view of the Sacramento River. Its flat, blue water is lined by bright green trees and vegetation. Blue skies are overhead.
The National Fish Habitat Partnership is a comprehensive effort to treat the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. The Partnership is a national investment strategy to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Funds are leveraged through regional partnerships to...
Program

Projects and Research

Coastal Fish and Crab Tagging Programs

  • Striped Bass
  • Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon
  • Horseshoe Crab

Migratory Fish Restoration

  • American Shad
  • American Eel

Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration

  • National Fish Passage Program

  • National Fish Habitat Partnership

Northern Snakehead Control and Management

People standing around a table filled with gravel, miniature trees, and miniature sheds
Image Details
Stream Smart Training Program

Across the landscape, undersized, aging and improperly placed road-stream crossings create barriers in our rivers, streams, and tidal wetlands. These structures fragment aquatic habitat and prevent or greatly reduce the ability of aquatic species to move freely to migrate, feed, and reproduce. These poorly designed structures are also more prone to clogging, causing flooding, and washing out...

Stream Smart Training Program

Get Involved

If you have found a tag from a fish from one of our programs please report it at 1-800-448-8322. If you have a crab tag it can be reported online at www.fws.gov/crabtag

Location and Contact Information