The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced a new minimum length limit for spotted bass at Table Rock Lake, lowering from 15 inches to 12 inches effective April 30. This change aims to improve populations of all three black bass species, as spotted bass now comprise 38 percent of the lake's black bass population.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has initiated a benchmark stock assessment for Atlantic migratory group cobia to be completed in 2027. The assessment will evaluate stock health along the Atlantic coast from Georgia northward, with data submissions due by March 20, 2026, and public data workshops scheduled for spring 2026.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife certified a 28.5-pound Freshwater Drum caught by 10-year-old Grayson Carey as a new state record. Carey's catch during the Lake Champlain International Father's Day Derby earned over $26,000 in prizes and surpassed the previous record set in 2016.
The Gulf Council is accepting applications for its Red Drum Advisory Panel and Coastal Migratory Pelagic Advisory Panel. Advisory Panel members serve three-year terms and are compensated for travel expenses. Applications must be submitted by March 3, 2026.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host six virtual fisheries management discussions March 9-11 via Zoom, covering five district areas plus statewide and aquatic habitat programs. Each session includes a 30-minute presentation and Q&A. Registration is required at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov, and all sessions will be recorded.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has submitted an Exempted Fishing Permit to NOAA Fisheries to test improved state-led data collection for Atlantic red snapper and allow a 39-day recreational season in 2026. Public comments are being accepted through March 10, 2026.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is stocking 12-inch rainbow trout into ponds and lakes across the state beginning in mid-February. Fisheries outreach program manager Daryl Bauer encourages anglers to enjoy the open water fishing season. The agency is also surveying trout anglers to inform future management decisions.
Washington and Oregon fishery managers approved the 2026 Columbia River recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing season, forecasting 147,300 upriver fish. Ryan Lothrop of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stated the forecast is improved and above the 10-year average, allowing additional early-season fishing opportunities while maintaining sustainable management.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host an online meeting on February 26 at 6 p.m. featuring DNR fisheries biologists Kyle Broadway, Craig Roberts, Nate Thomas, and Max Wolter discussing walleye stocking strategies, habitat, and management in northwestern Wisconsin.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will temporarily close the recreational Bluefish fishery in state waters for March and April 2026 to ensure long-term sustainability. This closure aligns with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission management measures and allows Georgia to maintain its 15-fish bag limit.
NOAA Fisheries announced Exempted Fishing Permit proposals for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina that would allow red snapper recreational seasons of 39-62 days in 2026, significantly increasing access compared to last year's two-day federal season and enabling states to test improved data collection systems.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is restoring rock reef habitat in Saginaw Bay to diversify spawning grounds for walleye and lake whitefish. By building new reefs with locally quarried limestone, researchers aim to create resilient fish populations less vulnerable to ecosystem changes and river habitat degradation.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Army Corps of Engineers completed a joint project deploying 77 fish attractor sites at Lake Ouachita. The operation involved 35 personnel removing invasive cedars to create habitats for walleye, bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and stripers.
The blue pike, a near-mythical fish native to Lakes Erie and Ontario, is explored through its complex taxonomy and mysterious existence. Ed McGowan's archaeological discoveries and Dr. C. Lavett Smith's research efforts highlight the ongoing debate about whether this species is extinct or merely a color morph of walleye, with DNA studies suggesting the latter.
Fish hearts are specialized organs adapted to their aquatic environments, featuring two chambers in most species. Bluefin tuna off North Carolina's coast have powerful hearts reaching 200 beats per minute, while coastal species like flounder and striped bass have slower rates. Deep-sea creatures like hagfish and octopuses possess multiple hearts for their unique circulatory needs.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold an informational fisheries meeting on February 24 in Plentywood featuring regional fisheries technician Hayden Cody and manager Tyler Haddix discussing Box Elder Reservoir sampling results and northeast Montana fisheries management.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division will host two town hall meetings in February 2026 to discuss recreational Red Drum fishing regulation changes. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's 2024 stock assessment found the southern stock overfished and experiencing overfishing, necessitating management changes to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Gulf Council is requesting fishermen to submit feedback on gag grouper trends in the Gulf through their Fisherman Feedback Tool to inform an upcoming scientific stock assessment. Responses are due by March 13, 2026.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Marine Resources Division has partnered with the University of South Alabama to conduct the AL Creel survey, which collects saltwater fishing data through phone calls and dockside surveys. The survey aims to receive NOAA accreditation for fisheries management, following Louisiana's methodology, and reduce reliance on the federal MRIP program.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting a virtual public meeting on February 17 at 4 p.m. to discuss management options for 2027-2028 coastal recreational bottomfish fisheries. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is considering harvest levels and management measures such as seasons and bag limits for the upcoming biennium.