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A Chesapeake Bay Volunteer Driven Fish Tagging Program

Working with recreational anglers to build partnerships & implement tagging studies focused on popular sport fishing species in the Chesapeake Bay

How do TAG Cheapeake fish tagging studies work?

  • Recreational anglers catch targeted fish species
  • Trained tagging volunteers apply a tag to the live fish which is then carefully released
  • When the tagged fish is recaptured, specific information about that catch should be reported here at TAGchesapeake.org or by calling 877-939-FISH(3474)
  • The reporting angler recieves a confirmation of their reported tag, information about when it was tagged, and a link to pick a prize that is mailed to them by tideoutfitters.com
  • Data collected from a study is provided to regional fishery management agencies to better understand specific study questions

After placing a tag on a live fish and releasing it, tagging partners patiently wait for a reporting of the fish being caught again.

These data points provided by the person reporting the tag help fisheries scientists and managers understand the lifecycle, migration habits, catch rates and mortality rates of important fish species.

While each tag study contains various goals and objectives, data can only be reviewed after it is collected and then analyzed to determine the value of the work done.

What can fish tagging studies do?

Estimate catch rates

Estimate lifecycle

Estimate migration habits

Estimate mortality rates

Current Studies

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