The American Sportfishing Association, AFTCO, Rapala VMC USA, and Temple Fork Outfitters joined 127 industry companies supporting Colorado Amendment 83, which would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish while preserving state wildlife management authority. Colorado anglers spent over $2 billion in 2022, supporting 15,000 jobs.
The FWC's annual Lionfish Challenge concluded with record-breaking results, with 533 participants removing 36,187 invasive lionfish across 1,468 dive trips. Winners included Hunter Ledbetter as Lionfish King, Helen Rodney as Lionfish Queen, and David Garrett as Commercial Champion, demonstrating Florida's commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.
NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation awarded the Maryland Department of Natural Resources $10 million to create over 70 acres of oyster reef habitat at Hooper Strait Oyster Sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay. Murtech, a local veteran-owned marine contractor, is laying the stone foundation to support oyster larvae settlement and reproduction as part of the Chesapeake Bay Program's goal to restore 2,000 additional acres by 2040.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is accepting entries for the 2027 Vermont Student Fish Art Contest. K-12 students are invited to submit illustrations and creative essays featuring Vermont fish species, with winners selected across five grade categories and featured in the 2028 Fishing Guide and Regulations publication.
NOAA Fisheries and the Scott River Watershed Council installed beaver dam analogues on Sugar Creek in California's Klamath Basin, resulting in increased juvenile coho salmon survival and adult returns surging from 25% to over 75% within five years, demonstrating effective habitat restoration during drought conditions.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Trout Unlimited, and Rocky Mountain Conservancy to complete phase two of the Poudre Headwaters Project, removing non-native fish from 14+ miles of streams to restore native greenback cutthroat trout populations.
The Billfish Foundation is inviting donors, sponsors, and community partners to support the SoFlo Sailfish Initiative launching in 2027. Collaborating with the University of Southern Mississippi, Bluewater Movements, and fishing teams, the project uses satellite tags to study sailfish movements and habitat use to inform conservation efforts.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife is seeking volunteers for its annual spiny softshell turtle beach cleanup on October 17 at North Hero State Park and Swanton. Biologist Toni Mikula will discuss turtle recovery efforts, and the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain will raise hatchlings for release into Lake Champlain next spring.
NDOW completed the fifth year of the Abel Creek YY Brook Trout project, removing approximately 2,000 brook trout and stocking 2,400 YY males to eradicate nonnative species and restore Lahontan cutthroat trout populations. The project achieved an 80.5% male brook trout population ratio despite low water levels.
Gene Gilliland will retire at the end of 2026 after 12 years as B.A.S.S. Conservation Director and 43 years dedicated to bass fishing and fisheries management. B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson praised Gilliland's significant contributions to the organization and fisheries conservation efforts.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has reopened the road to the Missouri River boat ramp at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake, Missouri. The remainder of the area remains closed due to setback levee construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with full access to be restored at an appropriate construction milestone.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission began removing approximately 31 acres of floating tussock from Lake Weir in Marion County on September 25, 2026. The project will improve aquatic habitat, support native plant growth, and enhance navigation near the Weir Canal, with completion expected by December 18, 2026.
The Missouri Department of Conservation completed construction at Schell-Osage Conservation Area, marking the end of the 20-year Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative in partnership with Ducks Unlimited. The area reopens Oct. 3 with a dedication ceremony Oct. 14, featuring improved water management infrastructure, new fishing jetties, and enhanced waterfowl habitat.
The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana completed its 70th artificial reef deployment in Garden Island Bay with support from Shell, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Building Conservation Trust, Natrx, Danos, and White Water Contractors. The REEF Louisiana program continues restoring habitat for redfish and speckled trout along Louisiana's coast.
The decommissioned Spirit VK 780A natural gas rig has been repurposed into two new artificial reef sites off Alabama's coast through an agreement between APA Corporation and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. APA Corporation donated $1.5 million to support research, monitoring, and habitat restoration as part of the state's Rigs to Reefs program.
Escambia County and Santa Rosa County announced deployment of the Esca-Rosa Regional Reefs using over $1.1 million in combined grant funding. The project includes 69 patch reefs with 209 Florida limestone modules and 132 Grouper reefs, with Walter Marine, Inc. directing placement using Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission funding.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invites Texans to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 26, recognizing hunters and anglers for their conservation contributions. Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation supporting the day, highlighting how outdoor recreation generates billions in economic activity while funding wildlife management programs through license sales exceeding $36.7 million.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Alabama Rivers Alliance, and Beagle Charitable Foundation released approximately 1,500 rare native mussels into the Paint Rock River on Raymond Jones, Jr.'s property to restore habitat and improve water quality in northeast Alabama's Paint Rock watershed.
The City of Miami Beach is proposing a 222-acre vessel exclusion zone on the north side of Government Cut jetties. The Coastal Conservation Association Florida opposes this marine protected area, advocating to keep the historic fishing area accessible to anglers pursuing tarpon, snook, and other species.
President Trump hosted a Great American Outdoorsmen dinner at the White House with approximately 100 leaders from the hunting, fishing, and shooting sports community. Trump signed two Executive Orders: "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage" and "Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation." The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation praised the President's commitment to outdoor traditions and conservation.