Sedrick Neinhuis from Lowell, Michigan caught a new state-record gizzard shad weighing 4.45 pounds on April 22 in the Grand River. The fish surpassed the previous record of 4.12 pounds set in 1996 on Lake St. Clair. DNR fisheries biologist Matt Diana verified the record-breaking catch.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is partnering with MyCatch by Angler's Atlas for a statewide walleye fishing challenge running May 15 through June 28. Anglers report catches via the mobile app to help fisheries biologists assess walleye populations while competing for cash prizes and weekly challenges across Michigan's inland waters.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and The James Foundation are hosting a free Kids' Fishing Day on May 16 at Maramec Spring Park in St. James, Missouri. Children 15 and under can enjoy free trout fishing, live birds of prey from the World Bird Sanctuary, archery, and prizes including a 30-inch brown trout carving by Duane Doty of Ozark Trout Runners and painted by Mario Lozina of LOZ Lures.
Pro walleye angler Dylan Nussbaum climbed from 40th place to second place at the National Walleye Tour season opener on Lake Erie, earning $21,000 with a Day 2 surge powered by Z-Man® ElaZtech® baits, including the Scented Jerk ShadZ and Fuzzy BugZ.
Nebraska's Free Fishing and Park Entry Day on May 16 allows visitors to explore state parks and fish without permits. Family-friendly activities are scheduled across multiple parks including Schramm Park State Recreation Area, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, Ponca State Park, and others.
The Missouri Department of Conservation invites children ages 15 and younger to participate in a free fishing day at Blind Pony Hatchery Conservation Area on May 9 from 8:30-11 a.m. Participants will enjoy fishing in stocked ponds, a paddlefish touch tank, lunch, and door prizes with no permit required.
MyOutdoorTV launches The Bass Channel Featuring Major League Fishing, a 24/7 streaming destination for bass fishing content. The channel features pro anglers including Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Kevin VanDam, Mark Zona, and JT Kenney, along with Major League Fishing coverage from the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and MLF Bass Pro Tour.
The 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery opens May 1 through September 30, funded by the Bonneville Power Administration and managed by WDFW, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Anglers earn cash rewards for catching predatory northern pikeminnow in the Columbia and Snake rivers, helping reduce predation on salmon and steelhead by up to 40%.
California's 2026 statewide general trout season opened Saturday, April 25, with CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Nick Buckmaster encouraging anglers of all ages to participate. Anglers must possess valid licenses and check specific regulations, with most waters allowing five trout daily and 10 possession limits. Regional exceptions include the South Fork American River and Lake Tahoe tributaries opening May 23.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife opens lowland lake fishing April 25, stocking nearly 15.5 million trout and kokanee across 500+ lakes. The annual Trout Derby returns for its 11th year with over 900 prizes valued at $45,000, featuring tagged trout in more than 100 lakes statewide.
As Colorado lakes lose winter ice, spring turnover creates excellent trout fishing opportunities. CPW spring stocking and the new Quality Waters program provide abundant access to rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout in shallow waters where anglers can use spinners like Panther Martins, spoons such as Kastmasters, and traditional baits.
Women participated in the Ladies, Let's Go Fishing South Florida University April 17-19 in Fort Lauderdale, learning offshore fishing skills from Capt. Lee Lavery, Capt. Jeanne Towne, and Betty Bauman. Participants practiced knot tying, rigging, casting, and trolling techniques during classroom sessions and an offshore fishing trip aboard the Big Game.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks over 1 million catfish fry annually, with nearly 300,000 grown to catchable size at facilities including Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery, William H. Donham State Fish Hatchery, and C.B "Charlie" Craig State Hatchery. The agency's Family and Community Fishing Program and fishing derby program provide accessible fishing opportunities for families and first-time anglers throughout Arkansas.
Vermont's walleye fishing season opens May 2, offering excellent spring fishing in Lake Champlain, its tributaries, and other waters. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department stocks Salem Lake and Island Pond to support walleye populations in the Northeast Kingdom.
Wisconsin's 2026-2027 general inland fishing season opens statewide Saturday, May 2, offering anglers access to over 15,000 inland lakes and 42,000 miles of streams. Key regulation changes include the muskellunge season opening May 2 on all inland waters with no separate Northern Zone season, and a catch-and-release lake sturgeon season on select waters from June 6, 2026 through March 7, 2027.
Hunter Rohr, 15, caught a state record golden rainbow trout measuring 28.0 inches and weighing 11.84 pounds during West Virginia Division of Natural Resources' annual Gold Rush event at the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch of the Potomac River, breaking both length and weight records.
An early striped bass spawning season is unfolding on the Roanoke River driven by low flows averaging 3,500 cfs and warm water temperatures in the upper 60s. A Foundation partnership since 2023 is tracking striped bass recovery in the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound to assess recruitment implications.
Bob Hall Pier in Corpus Christi reopened in late February 2026 after a $28.5 million renovation led by Nueces County Commissioner Brent Chesney. The 1,240-foot pier, rebuilt following Hurricane Hanna damage, features enhanced durability, wider walkways, and ADA accessibility for saltwater anglers targeting black drum and spotted seatrout.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association reflects Wisconsin's diverse fisheries by offering multispecies competitions alongside bass-specific events and ice-fishing championships. Coach Joel DeBoer of DC Everest High School highlights how St. Croix Rod and SEVIIN Reels scholastic programs provide essential gear access to student anglers across the country.
This comprehensive guide explores finesse jigs for creek and river bass, covering why these versatile lures work well for largemouths, smallmouths, spots, and other species. It details fishing techniques, specific product recommendations including Rebel Ultra-Finesse Jig, Great Lakes Finesse jigs, War Eagle Heavy Finesse Jig, and BOOYAH Baby Boo Jig, plus recommended trailers from Great Lakes Finesse and YUM.