The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces the March 1 opening of catch-and-keep trout fishing at four state parks: Bennett Spring, Montauk, Roaring River, and Maramec Spring Park. MDC will stock approximately 600,000 trout annually across the parks, with daily limits of four trout and possession limits of eight.
Full-time guide Lee Pitts shares his "old school" approach to catching crappie on Weiss Lake without forward-facing sonar. Using Bobby Garland baits, float rigs, and traditional electronics, Pitts relies on reading water conditions, understanding crappie behavior, and mastering casting techniques to achieve consistent success.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks permitted 28 ice fishing contests for winter 2025/2026 and 46 open-water contests for 2026. FWP uses a permitting process to balance recreation with conservation, requiring applications for larger tournaments to minimize fish mortality and regulate harvest while creating family-friendly community opportunities.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that more than two dozen Eastern Washington lakes open March 1 for fishing, offering opportunities for rainbow trout, bass, yellow perch, burbot, cutthroat trout, brown trout, crappie, walleye, and bluegill. WDFW statewide inland fish program manager Steve Caromile notes early spring is an excellent time for lake fishing, though anglers should exercise caution regarding thin ice conditions.
Walleye fishing in February offers excellent opportunities as water temperatures reach 45–50°F and fish move into shallow water to spawn. Success requires maintaining bottom contact within three feet of the lake floor using crankbaits, swimbaits, or live bait.
Professional anglers Brandon Palaniuk and Drew Gill discuss modern jerkbait fishing techniques, including how forward-facing sonar has changed their approach. They share insights on selecting Megabass and Bill Lewis baits, cadence strategies, and gear choices featuring Phenix Feather rods, Bass Pro Shops reels, and Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon line.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications from March 1-14, with a nonrefundable $7 application fee. Permits will be awarded through random drawing based on preference points, with results available by March 20 and payment due by April 5.
The Michigan DNR reminds anglers that lake sturgeon caught while ice fishing must be released immediately to ensure survival and comply with regulations. The DNR partners with state, federal, and tribal agencies to rehabilitate lake sturgeon populations listed as threatened since 1994.
New York State designates free fishing days in 2026 on February 14-15, June 27-28, September 26, and November 11, allowing residents and non-residents to fish without a freshwater license while all other regulations apply.
Michigan is offering Free Fishing Weekend on February 14-15, allowing residents and visitors to fish without a license. The state is also waiving Recreation Passport fees and providing free vehicle entry to all 103 state parks and over 1,000 DNR-managed boating access sites.
Free Fishing Weekend on February 14-15 allows anyone to fish without a license, making it an ideal opportunity to try ice fishing. The event emphasizes the experience of outdoor recreation, fresh air, and time with friends and family on the ice.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify Youth Fishing Instructors at five locations across the state this spring. Instructors will receive training, loaner equipment, and educational materials to conduct youth fishing clinics and can volunteer for Family Fishing Nights and outdoor expos.
The John D. Voelker Foundation and the American Museum of Fly Fishing announce submissions for the 2026 Robert Traver Fly-Fishing Writing Award, offering a $2,500 prize for distinguished fly-fishing stories or essays. The deadline is May 31, 2026, with entries limited to 3,000 words and a $25 submission fee.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announces the sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago System opens February 14, 2026, with harvest caps set for Lake Winnebago and Upriver Lakes. Excellent water clarity is forecast, and applications for Upriver Lakes licenses are due by August 1.
Deadstick fishing is an effective ice fishing technique that presents bait motionless or with minimal movement to trigger bites from inactive or pressured fish.
Maryland angler Garrett Davis caught Fish 691, a 16-year-old female muskie tagged by Maryland DNR biologists since 2013 on the non-tidal Potomac River. This marked the fish's fourth recapture and first by an angler, highlighting the elusiveness of muskies in a challenging riverine environment with significant angling pressure.
The 2025 Toyota ShareLunker program recorded 1,071 largemouth bass entries from 469 anglers across 93 Texas public waterbodies, including notable recaptures and offspring tracking. Jennifer Fisher won the $5,000 Bass Pro Shops grand prize drawing with her 9.85-pound catch at Joe Pool Reservoir, while Cullie Belveal submitted the season's largest fish at 16.39 pounds from O.H. Ivie.
Evan Trottier of Minot caught a state record tiger trout weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces through the ice at Hooker Lake in Rolette County on January 4. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department verified the catch and plans spring stocking of tiger trout in select lakes through a partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will stock adult-size Rainbow Trout at community ponds across Louisiana in January, offering bank fishing opportunities at 15 designated sites. This rare winter stocking occurs only once yearly, and anglers are encouraged to harvest the trout before water temperatures rise.
Lake Guntersville in northeastern Alabama is a premier bass fishing destination where success relies on understanding seasonal movements, structure, and vegetation rather than live sonar. The Bassmaster Elite Series will visit February 5-8, with elite anglers like Jason Christie, Luke Palmer, and Stetson Blaylock expecting strong winter patterns using BOOYAH Hard Knockers, One Knockers, and Flash Point jerkbaits.