Idaho Fish and Game asks anglers to report tagged fish caught while fishing to help biologists manage fish populations and adjust bag limits. Tags provide valuable data on angler catch rates, fish migrations, and survival rates. Reward tags valued at $25-$200 must be mailed to Idaho Department of Fish and Game in Boise.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) expressed disappointment over a U.S. District Court decision blocking 2026 South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit pilot programs for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, causing immediate disruption to anglers and coastal businesses.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Montana State University are in their third season of collaborative research on trout recruitment, health, and mortality in the upper Jefferson River basin. Spring population estimates for the Big Hole River show improved brown trout abundances and increased rainbow trout numbers in some sections, with estimates for other rivers forthcoming.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is recruiting an individual to fill a seat on the Upper Missouri River Fisheries Management Plan Citizen Advisory Committee. The committee provides input on fisheries management for Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter Reservoirs. Applications must be received by June 12, 2026, with contact Nathan Jaksha at 406-495-3263.
Georgia DNR's Coastal Resources Division is proposing new red drum regulations to rebuild the overfished South Atlantic stock, reducing the daily creel limit from five to three fish and adjusting the slot size from 14–23 inches to 15–24 inches. Public comments are accepted through June 30, 2026, with the Board of Natural Resources voting on August 25, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries announced the 2026 gag recreational season in federal Gulf waters, opening September 1 and closing October 1, 2026. The closure is projected when the recreational annual catch target of 399,000 pounds gutted weight is met. During closure, bag and possession limits are zero for gag in federal and Gulf state waters for federally permitted vessels.
Round goby, an invasive species from the Black and Caspian Seas, has spread throughout the Great Lakes and was discovered near the Champlain Canal in 2021. These aggressive fish outcompete native species and prey on sportfish eggs, prompting New York to recommend clean, drain, dry practices and purchasing bait from licensed sellers only.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted its largest Eagle Lake rainbow trout rescue in over a decade, returning approximately 5,800 adult fish to Eagle Lake in March and April. The emergency effort involved more than 25 CDFW biologists, hatchery staff, and community volunteers responding to fish at risk of stranding in Pine Creek due to unseasonably warm weather and low snowpack.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife has established special fishing regulations for Lake La Su An Wildlife Area in Williams County through September 7, 2026. Fishing is permitted Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from sunrise to sunset, with specific daily limits for sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish to maintain quality bluegill fishing.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) launched new digital tools on its Ocean Salmon Fishery Information webpage to track recreational and commercial in-season harvests of ocean salmon. The tools allow anglers to monitor catch numbers and remaining salmon under regional harvest guidelines, with recreational catch updates provided twice monthly throughout the season.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources approved a recreational red snapper season running July 1 through August 31, 2026, as part of a cooperative regional effort with North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Anglers must obtain a free Red Snapper Harvest Permit and report data via the VESL app, which was funded by Yamaha Rightwaters.
The American Sportfishing Association and Coastal Conservation Association jointly filed to intervene in litigation challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service's approval of Exempted Fishing Permits for the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper season. The pilot program allows Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to implement expanded recreational seasons while collecting critical fisheries data.
Alabama's red snapper season for private recreational anglers opens seven days a week starting May 22, 2026, providing increased fishing opportunities. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' AL Creel survey has received federal certification from NOAA Fisheries, enabling more accurate recreational fishing estimates for improved management strategies.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources successfully collected 4.2 million steelhead eggs despite a lightning strike damaging the Little Manistee River Weir facility. The DNR deployed the Lower Platte River Weir as a backup source for the first time, with nearly 2.2 million eggs collected at Little Manistee and approximately 2 million at Platte River weirs.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued an executive order closing recreational gag grouper harvest in Atlantic state waters effective August 2, 2026. This aligns state and federal regulations to end overfishing and rebuild the fishery while ensuring future harvest opportunities.
Georgia's Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division launched GeorgiaRedSnapper.com to guide anglers through the Georgia Red Snapper Project running July-August 2026. The website provides registration instructions for the VESL reporting platform, season rules, and participation requirements supported by Yamaha Rightwaters.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary proposals for 2027-28 fishing regulations through May 31. FWP will host a public meeting in Bozeman on May 19 at 6 p.m. at their office to present proposed changes, answer questions, and collect angler feedback.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages residents to report multiple dead fish using a new online form or by calling the state duty officer at 651-649-5451. Fish health supervisor Isaiah Tolo states public reports help facilitate timely water and fish sampling responses.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced a record 39-day Atlantic red snapper season and 140-day Gulf season for 2026, following federal approval of Florida's Exempted Fishing Permit. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will assume management of the Atlantic recreational red snapper fishery using state-specific data and real-time management tools.
NOAA Fisheries seeks public comments on Amendment 62 to modify red grouper management measures in the Gulf, including revised status determination criteria, overfishing limits, and sector allocations based on Gulf Council Scientific and Statistical Committee recommendations. The comment period closes June 01, 2026.