Reel Rewards 2026 Season starts April 25!

Reel Rewards Program

Invasive fish species threaten the Baltimore Harbor ecosystem, economy, and native species. Invasive Snakehead, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish prey on and compete for resources with native species that are important to anglers and businesses.


You can help by catching any of these three species in Baltimore Harbor (up to the former Key Bridge). You’ll help scientists better understand invasive species populations and earn money for each fish turned in!

Here’s how: 

  1. Register as an angler on iAngler and join the 2026 Reel Rewards Tournament.
  2. Catch an invasive fish species (Snakehead, Blue or Flathead Catfish) in Baltimore Harbor or its surrounding tributaries.
  3. Bring your caught fish to Middle Branch Marine on drop-off days. Check the calendar on their website or on iAngler for specifics.
  4. Fish must be fresh or frozen to receive the bounty; rotting fish will not be accepted.
  5. There will be a cap of 12 fish per angler allowed to be turned in per week.
  6. Anglers can earn up to $30 per fish:
  7. $10 for each fish head or body that you report on iAngler and turn in
  8. $10 for logging a picture of what’s inside the fish’s stomach, along with your best guess about what those contents are on iAngler. 
  9. $10 for each cleaned fish fillet per fish that you store in a clean, food-safe ziplock bag. Make sure to freeze the fillets and bring them to the drop-off location to receive your payment. No iAngler log is needed for fillets.


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Map of the Baltimore Harbor located at the mouth of the Patapsco River. The blue outline shows where invasive fish must be caught to receive Reel Rewards bounty money. Anglers must provide proof of catch through iAngler to receive the bounty.

Reel Rewards Program Rules
If you want to join the Reel Rewards Program, please follow these simple rules:


  • Follow Fishing Laws: Make sure you know and follow all fishing rules for the area where you're fishing. You can check the Maryland DNR website for these regulations.
  • Fish Safety: Pay attention to any safety guidelines for preparing and eating fish. You can find these guidelines on the MDE website.
  • Protect Native Species: Don’t harm any native fish or wildlife while trying to catch invasive species. Intentionally harming protected wildlife is illegal, and we won’t accept any native species.
  • Keep Accurate Records: Use the iAngler app to log your catches correctly to earn rewards.
  • You must catch fish in Baltimore Harbor or nearby rivers (check the map).
  • Only the person who catches the fish can submit it for rewards.
  • You need to provide photos or videos showing your catch and location in iAngler. We may reject logs if the information doesn’t match.
  • Log each fish as one entry on iAngler.
  • Log the guts of the fish as a separate entry, after you log the fish itself.
  • Condition of Fish: The fish heads or bodies you submit must be in good shape and easily recognizable. We won’t accept baby fish.
  • Fishing Location: You can fish from either land or a boat, and it doesn't matter where you live.
  • Rewards: You can earn up to $30 for each invasive species you log and drop off.
  • You must be at least 18 years old to receive any rewards.
  • Respectful Behavior: If you break any of these rules or behave inappropriately, you may be banned from the program.

Want to volunteer with Reel Rewards?

We're looking for volunteers to collect fish from anglers at our Reel Rewards bounty drop-off sites in South Baltimore. Sign up below!

Volunteer Registration

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • What type of fishing license is required for the Baltimore Harbor?

    Everyone over the age of 16 is required to hold a fishing license or registration. The Baltimore Harbor is tidal so you will need the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal license, which can be acquired here from the MD DNR. 


    When fishing from either:

    • A free fishing area 
    • Waterfront property you or your family own
    • Or aboard a vessel with a Pleasure Boat License/Decal 

    a fishing license is not required, but a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration is. See here for other exceptions. 


    Free fishing in the Middle Branch is as follows: Broening Park from the fishing pier southeast of the Hanover Street Bridge (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge) to Hanover Street Bridge.

  • Are there any season, size, or possession limits for Snakehead, Blue Catfish, or Flathead Catfish?

    There are no limits for any of the three invasive species the Reel Rewards program targets. For more information on MD DNR regulations see here.


    Be aware that it is illegal to possess live snakehead, blue catfish, and flathead catfish, and transportation of these species into another body of water can incur a fine of up to $2,500.

  • Is it safe to eat the fish I catch?

    It depends. Follow the MDE consumption guidelines to ensure safety in preparation and consumption of fish. Those guidelines can be found here. 

  • How can I safely harvest the fish?

    Below are a list of links with more information on how to safetly and legally harvest invasive fish from the Middle Branch:



    Snakeheads


    Blue and Flathead Catfish

Reel Rewards Videos