Maryland is giving away free Chesapeake Bay charters to reel in invasive blue catfish

Maryland is offering free Chesapeake Bay charter trips to spur removal of invasive blue catfish through the Reel in the Blues Bonanza program. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public drawing for trips targeting blue catfish, aiming for increased harvesting in summer and fall. Entries open June 24, and winners receive contact information for participating captains and guides to schedule their trips directly. Eligible charter captains and fishing guides can be paid up to $1,500 per outing, with state reimbursement arriving within 30 days; the total may include mate tips. The program is designed to benefit multiple groups by giving anglers no-cost access, compensating charter operators, and adding removal capacity for the state. Maryland also notes that licensed anglers can target recreational blue catfish year-round without a bag limit. The 2026 pilot will be evaluated using participation, harvest numbers, satisfaction, and feedback, and could return in 2027 or 2028 depending on funding.