Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Summer 2026

The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action on alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from June through August of this year. During the summer months, individuals were charged for violations including illegal commercial crabbing and clamming operations, weapons charges, fishing violations, crimes on public lands, wildlife violations, and other offenses.

Baltimore Man Faces $5,000 in Fines After Spearing Bass, Trout

On June 11, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on patrol at Gunpowder Falls State Park observed an individual actively spearfishing in Big Gunpowder Falls near Glen Arm.

Officers determined the man – a 32-year-old from Baltimore City – did not have a fishing license, and had already harvested one largemouth bass and one rainbow trout. He was issued citations for possession of undersized largemouth bass, possession of largemouth bass during closed season, harvesting bass with projectile equipment, fishing without a license, and targeting trout without a trout stamp. The fish were seized by officers, and the man faces a maximum of $5,000 in total fines if found guilty.

Man Charged For Illegal Oystering at Point Lookout State Park

On June 13, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on patrol at Point Lookout State Park observed an individual harvesting oysters. Officers noted the recreational season closed March 31 and made contact with the individual.

During the inspection, officers found the man – a 40-year-old from Takoma Park – in possession of 45 oysters. Officers seized the oysters and returned them to the bar where they were harvested. The man was subsequently issued one citation for oystering during the closed season, punishable by a maximum $1,000 fine for a first offense.

Dorchester County Waterman Found With More Than 200 Undersized Crabs

On June 15, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol of Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area in Dorchester County observed a commercial vessel being loaded onto a trailer after returning from harvesting crabs.

Officers conducted a commercial inspection, finding 179 undersized crabs in one bushel basket, 45 undersized crabs in another bushel, and nine undersized crabs in a third bushel, varied between males and immature females. The vessel’s operator – a 57-year-old Church Creek man – was subsequently issued citations for the undersized crabs, failing to keep male and female crabs separate, failure to produce certificate number, failure to carry operational flares, and failing to have ID numbers visible on the vessel. The man faces a maximum of $6,000 in fines if found guilty. All undersized crabs were seized and returned to the Transquaking River.

Commercial Razor Clam Vessels Found Dredging in Protected Aquatic Grasses

On June 20, Maryland Natural Resources were notified of multiple commercial clamming vessels operating inside Blackwalnut Cove in Talbot County, an area designated as a submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) zone reserved for protection from uprooting and the restoration of underwater grasses.

Officers conducted surveillance of the two vessels, including measuring their proximity to fixed markers, SAV markers, and buoys to confirm their presence within the SAV zone. Department of Natural Resources hydrographers confirmed the measurements and determined the vessels both operated within the SAV area. The vessel’s operators – a 29-year-old Tilighman man and a 20-year-old Wittman man – were each issued one citation for using a hydraulic clam dredge in a SAV protection zone, a must appear offense punishable by up to $1,000 for a first offense.

Street Turtle Vendor Shut Down in Baltimore

On June 26, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were notified of an individual selling turtles in Baltimore. Officers responded and found a man selling red eared slider turtles, all of which had a carapace length of less than four inches, which is prohibited in Maryland.

Officers seized 35 turtles from the man – a 38-year-old from Philadelphia – and charged him with offering to sell turtles with a carapace length less than four inches, punishable by a maximum $1,500 in fines. The officers determined the man was wanted for active warrants through multiple agencies, and was taken into custody by Baltimore Police.

After Hours Activity at High Rock Overlook Leads to Weapons Charges

On July 15, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol of South Mountain State Park in the area of the High Rock Overlook observed a vehicle parked in an area posted as closed after sunset. Officers conducted a stop of the vehicle, finding two occupants.

The vehicle’s driver – a 21-year-old man from Falls Church, Va. – admitted to possessing a loaded handgun and did not have a concealed carry permit. He was issued charges for driving on a suspended license, failure to provide insurance and registration, entering an area closed after sunset, and illegal possession of a firearm. The man faces up to 21 years imprisonment and/or a maximum of $11,500 in fines if convicted on all charges.

Stevensville Waterman Caught Clamming in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Protection Zone

On July 21, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were notified of a commercial clamming vessel operating inside Claiborne Cove in Talbot County, an area designated as a submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) zone.

Officers conducted surveillance of the vessel, including measuring the vessel’s proximity to fixed markers, SAV markers, and buoys to confirm its presence within the SAV zone. DNR hydrographers confirmed the measurements and determined the vessel operated inside the SAV area. The vessel’s operator – a 71-year-old Stevensville man – was issued one citation for using a hydraulic clam dredge in a SAV protection zone, a must appear offense punishable by up to $1,000 for a first offense.

Baltimore Trio Charged For Illegally Firing Weapons at Gunpowder Falls State Park

On July 26, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers responded to Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area for a report of shots fired and a group of individuals seen armed with rifles on a park trail. Upon arrival, officers found three men, ages 26, 19, and 18, all of whom were from Baltimore City.

Officers located various firearms and ammunition, including a 9mm Glock handgun, a 9mm Century Arms semiautomatic pistol, and a .223-Caliber Ruger semiautomatic rifle. Spent casings were later located near park trails where the individuals were found. Each of the individuals were charged with illegal carrying of a handgun, illegal possession of a loaded handgun, reckless endangerment, and possession of a weapon in a state park. Each faces a maximum of 25 years imprisonment and/or $15,000 in maximum fines if found guilty on all charges.

Harford County Man Charged After Shooting Groundhogs From Pickup Truck

On July 29, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were dispatched to a call for service involving a landowner shooting at wildlife in Harford County. Officers arrived at the incident after a neighbor reported a residence being struck by possible gunfire.

Arriving officers found the individual in question – a 67-year-old Forest Hill man – who admitted to shooting at groundhogs from his vehicle. Officers issued charges including shooting from a roadway and possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle, each of which carries a $1,500 maximum fine for a first offense if found guilty.

Over-Capacity Jon Boat Leads to Recreational Crabbing Harvest Violations

On July 29, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol of the Slaughter Creek area of Dorchester County performed an inspection of a recreational vessel actively crabbing via trotline on a Wednesday, which is prohibited.

Upon further inspection, officers observed various violations, including having six persons aboard a vessel rated for a maximum capacity of five. Officers also found 61 undersized male blue crabs. A 24-year-old Denton man was issued citations for crabbing recreationally on a Wednesday and possession of undersized crabs, punishable by $2,000 in maximum fines. Additionally, a 30-year-old male from Bridgeville, Del. was cited for crabbing recreationally on a Wednesday, possession of undersized crabs, exceeding vessel passenger capacity, and failure to mark buoys with identifying information, punishable by a total of $3,500 in maximum fines.

Unregistered Camper Charged With Firearms, Alcohol Violations at Gambrill State Park

On July 31, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers responded to a call for assistance with an individual who was injured from a fall in Gambrill State Park in Frederick County. Officers and emergency medical personnel located the victim who had fallen from a makeshift campsite near a rock ledge, also finding multiple bottles of alcoholic spirits and two loaded handguns.

Officers determined the man – a 58-year-old from York, Pa. – was camping in the park without a permit and had consumed alcohol, which is prohibited on park property. He was issued charges for camping without a permit, possession of alcohol in a prohibited area, possession of a weapon in a state park, and illegal possession of a loaded handgun without a concealed carry permit. The man faces up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to $6,500 in maximum fines if found guilty on all counts.

Officers Cite Recreational Crabber Using Commercial Gear to Harvest Crabs

On July 31, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol of the Big Annemessex River in Somerset County performed a commercial inspection of a vessel harvesting crabs with a crab scrape.

Upon inspection of the vessel, the operator – a 74-year-old man from Marion Station – was found to be operating commercial gear without a commercial license. The man admitted to possessing a recreational license, which does not allow for crabs to be harvested using commercial gear. He was issued one citation for failure to obtain a tidal fish license for commercial activity, punishable by a $1,000 maximum fine.

Halethorpe Man Cited For Eight Cast-Netting Related Offenses in Patapsco Valley State Park

On August 11, Maryland Natural Resources Police Officers on patrol at Patapsco Valley State Park observed an individual cast netting in the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, near the entrance of the Avalon area.

Upon making contact with the man – a 43-year-old from Halethorpe – officers found him to have 150 total fish in possession, consisting of striped bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, suckers, and baitfish. He was issued charges for fishing without an anglers license, possessing striped bass during the closed season, possessing undersized striped bass, possessing fish in need of conservation, exceeding the smallmouth bass daily creel limit, possessing undersized smallmouth bass, and fishing for smallmouth bass with a cast net. All fish were seized and donated to Frisky’s Wildlife Sanctuary to feed injured raptors.

Commercial Crabbers Caught With Eleven Bushels Over The Limit

On August 18, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol of the Sassafras River observed a commercial vessel actively harvesting crabs and attempted to conduct a commercial fisheries inspection. Upon moving closer to the vessel, officers witnessed individuals on board dumping bushels of crabs overboard.

Officers then performed an inspection, counting 15 bushels of crabs in possession and another four bushels which were dumped overboard. The operator – a 22 year-old Earleville man – possessed a license allowing for eight bushels, putting the crew over their daily limit by 11 bushels. He was issued a citation for exceeding the limit of commercial catch, punishable by a $1,000 maximum fine for a first offense.

Illegal Bowfishing Service Busted For Unlicensed Charters In Gunpowder River

On August 22, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on patrol of the Gunpowder River in Harford County conducted an inspection of a bowfishing charter service after increasing reports of illegal and unlicensed charter services operating throughout Maryland.

After conducting an inspection, officers determined the operator – a 58-year-old from Joppa – failed to have a valid fishing guide license and a U.S. Coast Guard Captains License. Charters are required to possess both licenses and meet all safety requirements for commercial vessels. The operator was subsequently cited for failing to display navigation lights, failure to possess a U.S. Coast Guard license, failure to obtain a federal commercial license in tidal waters, and operating as an unlicensed commercial fishing guide. The man faces $3,500 in maximum potential fines if found guilty of all charges.

Individuals interested in booking licensed guide services should always ask for proof of a Maryland DNR-issued fishing guide license, U.S. Coast Guard Captains License, and certification of vessel safety requirements met/exceeded. These extra steps that licensed guides must go through are put in place to keep everyone safe for an enjoyable trip on the water.

Officers Catch Nighttime Striped Bass Poachers During August Closure

On August 22, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol in Cambridge observed a group of individuals loading a vessel onto a trailer at a public boat ramp which accesses the Choptank River. While conducting a routine inspection of the boat, officers observed coolers and buckets containing fish.

Upon further inspection, officers discovered six striped bass, 13 undersized male blue crabs, and 10 female blue crabs. The individuals – a 29-year-old Silver Spring man, a 31-year-old Hyattsville woman, and a 40-year-old Brentwood man – admitted to knowing striped bass could not be possessed or targeted during the August closure and were issued citations for illegal possession of striped bass, targeting striped bass out of season, catching undersized blue crabs, recreational possession of female crabs, and additional violations. The crabs were returned to the Choptank River, while the striped bass were donated to the Tuckahoe State Park aviary.

Ocean City Vacationer Charged After Viral Video Shows Him Capturing Gull From Vehicle

On August 25, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were notified of a trending social media video of an individual capturing a herring gull from a vehicle in Ocean City on August 16. Herring gulls are a protected species under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits capture and possession of protected migratory bird species without a permit.

Officers identified the individual in the video as a 26-year-old man from Callaway and issued one citation for illegal possession of wild birds, punishable by a maximum $1,500 possible fine.

Officers Seize More Than 100 Fish From Man Caught Cast-Netting on Patapsco River

On August 29, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers on routine patrol of Patapsco Valley State Park in the Avalon area observed an individual fishing with a cast net in the non-tidal portion of the Patapsco River.

Officers made contact with the individual, who admitted to possessing 119 total fish including sunfish, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, suckers, fallfish, and baitfish. The man – a 34-year-old from Beltsville – then told officers he did not possess a fishing license. He was subsequently issued 11 citations totaling $11,000 in maximum potential fines if found guilty. All the fish were seized by officers and donated to Frisky’s Wildlife Sanctuary to feed injured raptors.