May 6, 2014 — Natural Resources Police LogoAn investigation by the Maryland Natural Resources Police and allied State and local agencies resulted in the charging of five anglers in Charles County last Friday for illegally fishing for Striped Bass in a spawning area and catching other protected fish.
Acting on information gathered during surveillance, NRP officers and members of the Southern Maryland Information Center watched as a group of people caught and kept Striped Bass from an area of the Potomac River that is closed to allow spawning. As the anglers left at 1:50 a.m., NRP officers and units from the Charles County Sheriff's Office stopped them.
The Striped Bass were seized and donated to a food program for the needy. The fishing gear was taken and will be held pending court action.
The following individuals were charged with violations of Potomac River Fisheries Commission regulations:
William Michael Maske, 23, of Waldorf, for possession of Striped Bass in a closed season, a fine of $625 for five fish, and failure to display a sport fishing license, a $125 fine.
Thomas Howard Farrell, 35, of Brandywine, for possession of Striped Bass in a closed season, a fine of $625 for five fish, and failure to display a sport fishing license, a $125 fine.
Read the full story at The Fishing Wire