Fisheries

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is implementing parentage-based tagging, a genetic technique funded by the Wilderness Shores Mitigation and Enhancement Fund, to evaluate walleye stocking in the Upper Peninsula. This method, developed with Dr. Jared Homola at Michigan State University and Thompson State Fish Hatchery, replaces traditional oxytetracycline marking and provides more accurate data on stocking success and natural reproduction.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved changes to sportfishing orders including black bass length limits, panfish bag limits, and catch-and-release regulations. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking public comments through November 14 on proposed paddlefish regulation changes, including clarifications on the legal taker when fish are caught by snagging and requirements to gut paddlefish before transporting them out of state to address harvest concerns and illegal commercialization.

Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Benzie County completed accessibility upgrades funded by a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. Improvements include an accessible paved trail, pavilion, and wider doorways that exceed ADA guidelines, allowing over 10,000 annual visitors better access to this historic facility established in 1928.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved 2027-2028 fishing regulations with updates to harvest limits, season dates, and gear restrictions. The commission also approved a conservation easement on Hannah Ranch and banned motorized watercraft on Mitchell Slough channel of the Bitterroot River.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will stock approximately 40,000 pounds of trout at nearly 40 lakes and streams during October 19 and 26. Anglers can participate in the Governor's Tagging Contest for a chance to win a lifetime fishing license.

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources recorded a juvenile striped bass index of 5.5 in 2026, the highest since 2018 but still below the long-term average of 10.8. Director Michael Luisi noted improvements while cautioning that ongoing low recruitment will impact coastwide population rebuilding efforts and inform future Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission management measures.

The Fish Ageing Network (FAN) installed its first fish rack drop-off freezer at Captree State Park near Captree Bait & Tackle. The Fishery Dependent Sampling Team seeks angler donations of fish bones, heads, and tails to study otoliths for aging fish species including Weakfish, Striped Bass, and Tautog to monitor Long Island fisheries.

Louisiana's annual Southern Flounder closed season runs October 15 through November 30 for all commercial and recreational sectors. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission eliminated previous bycatch exemptions as the Southern Flounder stock is currently overfished. The closure allows mature female flounder to escape inshore waters and spawn offshore.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department continues its fall trout stocking program for the third consecutive year, stocking over 2,000 trophy-sized brook and rainbow trout averaging 13-14 inches into Knapp Ponds #1 and #2, Lakes Paran and Shaftsbury, and East Creek. Fisheries biologist Lael Will notes this provides anglers fall foliage fishing and winter catch-and-release opportunities.

Genetic sampling shows over 90% of striped bass in North Carolina's Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers are hatchery-origin fish. The Lake Gaston Striper Club discussed a major stocking initiative on the Roanoke River from 2023-2025, with ongoing genetic evaluation of different stocking treatments to determine the most effective approaches for fishery recovery.

NOAA Fisheries announced the 2026 federal recreational red snapper season in the South Atlantic, opening October 9-11. The agency issued exempted fishing permits to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina for extended seasons through October 22, allowing states to pilot new data collection and management strategies.

Montana FWP begins Chinook salmon snagging and archery seasons on Fort Peck Reservoir starting October 1st, with archery running through October 15th and snagging through November 30th. FWP fisheries staff are simultaneously conducting annual egg collection efforts through October, targeting fish near the dam using electrofishing to collect eggs for the Fort Peck Multispecies Fish Hatchery, with 220,000 salmon released in spring 2026 from fall 2025 collections.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting on October 15 at Vaughn Public Library in Ashland to discuss a recommended 22% reduction in lake trout quota for WI-2. DNR Lake Superior Fisheries Biologist Dray Carl will explain how increased sea lamprey and reduced recruitment necessitate the quota adjustment to maintain sustainable populations.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed angling on the lowest reach of Eagle Creek from October 2 through December 31 to protect threatened coho salmon during low water flows. The closure aims to prevent illegal snagging and provide safe resting habitat for this economically and ecologically important species.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites public input on African pompano management through virtual workshops on October 7 and 12. Participants can learn about pompano biology, fishery status, and potential regulation changes, with feedback informing a proposed final rule hearing anticipated for March 2027.

NOAA Fisheries published a final rule implementing Amendment 62 to increase Gulf red grouper annual catch limits for commercial and recreational sectors through 2028. The rule removes the February-March seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper species in federal waters, effective October 2, 2026.

The Apalachicola Bay wild oyster harvest season opens October 1 through February 28, 2027, for commercial and recreational harvesters. Authorized harvesters may harvest from three reef sites with a seasonal limit of 2,560 bags, with recreational permits required and hand or tong harvesting only.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting virtual public workshops on October 7 and October 12 to gather feedback on potential updates to African pompano management regulations. Workshops will cover pompano biology, fishery status, current regulations, and proposed commercial and recreational management changes, with feedback informing a final rule hearing anticipated for March 2027.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has closed a small portion of Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain from October 1 through November 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon migrating to spawn in Hatchery Brook. Fish biologist Bernie Pientka stated the closure aims to reduce fishing pressure that disrupts salmon passage while maintaining access to the popular fishing spot.