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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting a virtual public meeting on May 20 at 4 p.m. to discuss 2027-2028 coastal recreational bottomfish management options and Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) optional halibut fishing days in June. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) manages West Coast bottomfish on a two-year cycle and is considering harvest levels and management measures.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary proposals for 2027–2028 fishing regulations through May 31. FWP will host a Region 2 meeting in Missoula on May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the FWP office to present proposals and discuss ideas, including changes to Racetrack Pond and Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area regulations.
Michigan's Natural Resources Commission has implemented a protected slot limit for walleye on Lake Independence and Teal Lake in Marquette County. All walleye smaller than 15 inches and between 18 and 23 inches must be released, with a daily possession limit of five fish, only one exceeding 23 inches.
The Gulf Council is seeking input from fishermen and constituents about ecosystem issues affecting Gulf fisheries, including environmental problems, habitat concerns, and species interactions. Responses submitted through the Fisherman Feedback Tool will inform the development of the Gulf Fishery Ecosystem Plan by the May 31, 2026 deadline.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources received NOAA approval for an Exempted Fishing Permit to pilot a state-based recreational red snapper data collection program, working cooperatively with North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to improve fisheries management decisions.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources research vessel RV Lake Char will launch spring surveys from Marquette to conduct essential lake trout research across Lake Superior's nearshore areas. Led by fisheries research biologist Shawn Sitar, the surveys collect critical data informing fisheries management decisions and supporting the long-term sustainability of the region's fish populations.
Starting this year, paddlefish anglers in Montana have new tagging options including paper tags and e-tags that mirror big game tag requirements. Anglers must complete tagging before removing the fish from the harvest site, with mandatory reporting varying by tag area through phone hotline, myfwp.mt.gov, or onsite check stations.
A 30-year study led by Dr. Barbara Block from Stanford University, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates that conservation measures in the western Atlantic have created a vital refuge for bluefin tuna. Electronic tagging data and catch analysis show that lower fishing mortality in western waters allows eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna to migrate, forage, and recover, contributing to overall stock rebuilding.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is beginning its spring fish stocking season, with 18 specialized trucks traveling over 100,000 miles to stock more than 1,000 locations from mid-March through early June. The DNR will stock more than 20 million fish including trout, salmon, muskie, and walleye from six production facilities. DNR fish marking and stocking biologist Jeremiah Blaauw explains that stocking supplements natural reproduction when habitat limitations and angling pressure prevent wild populations from maintaining desired levels.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching a pilot research program paying recreational anglers up to $1,500 to record fishing trips using onboard cameras in the Tampa Bay region. The program aims to collect data on caught and released reef fish while evaluating camera systems for fisheries research.
President Trump approved Exempted Fishing Permit proposals for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to expand Atlantic red snapper seasons in 2026. The American Sportfishing Association praised the decision, noting it allows meaningful data collection and reasonable recreational harvest opportunities after years of frustration with extremely short federal seasons.
President Trump approved exempted fishing permits for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to advance state-led red snapper management. Florida will implement a 39-day season, while Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina will coordinate a 62-day season using a Yamaha-funded app for catch reporting.
The DEC collects information on dead sharks and sturgeon that wash ashore to identify causes of mortality. Biological samples are shared with academic and scientific researchers to facilitate studies that inform fisheries management. Report deceased sharks or sturgeon to the DEC's Marine Life Incident Report survey or by phone.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for 2027–2028 at a public meeting in Miles City on May 7. The meeting will be held at FWP regional headquarters beginning at 6 p.m., with virtual options available May 26.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that walleye and musky season will proceed as normal after a federal court issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians from restricting non-tribal fishing on nineteen reservation lakes.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Michigan Muskie Alliance, Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System, and Grand Valley State University to track 20 Great Lakes strain muskellunge in Lake Macatawa using acoustic telemetry tags. Data shows tagged fish traveling to Chicago, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, and Green Bay, revealing surprising long-distance movements over seven years.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a public meeting on May 11 at Billings Public Library to gather input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for 2027–2028. Region 5 Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Gagnon will attend, and comments can be submitted online or by mail until May 31.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching "Cast for Cash: It Pays to Fish for Science," a pilot program paying recreational anglers up to $1,500 to record fishing trips using onboard cameras in the Tampa Bay region. The research will help scientists understand catch-and-release data and evaluate camera system accuracy for fisheries research.
Steelhead rainbow trout have begun their upstream migration at Willoughby River in Orleans, Vermont, leaping up waterfalls in a spectacular display during mid-to-late April and early May. Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy waterways for this annual migration and the fishing opportunities it provides.