Celebrate Free Fishing Day Sept. 27th in California
September 26, 2008
Free Fishing Day is Sept. 27 and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites anglers to enjoy California’s abundant fishing opportunities. Twice a year a complimentary day of fishing sets aside the normal requirement for anyone 16 years and older to possess a California fishing license. All other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. The previous 2008 Free Fishing Day was June 7.
“This is a great opportunity not only to go fishing but to take a novice or youth fishing,” said DFG Fisheries Branch Chief Neil Manji. “Anglers can enjoy surf fishing, dunking a worm for bass or trout fishing in the Sierras.”
The state features more than 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,172 lakes and reservoirs, and 80 major rivers. It also has more than 1,100 miles of coastline and hundreds of native fish and shell fish species.
DFG offers several fishing-related programs designed to help everyone enjoy one of the nation’s most popular outdoor sports.
For the novice angler, DFG offers Fishing in the City, part of the Urban Fishing Program. The idea began in 1993, to provide fishing opportunities to Californians living in the Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. Fishing in the City clinics teach kids how to fish and provide the chance to fish close to home. DFG stocks dozens of ponds with trout in winter and catfish the rest of the year. More information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity
.
Free Fishing Day can also help launch new anglers into DFG’s new fishing incentive and angler recognition program called the California Fishing Passport program. The Passport program is for people of all ages and skill levels. Anglers are encouraged to catch all of the different sport fish species that occur in the state and can use the passport booklet as a guide. More than 150 different species of freshwater fish, saltwater fish and a number of ocean shellfish species can be found in California and are included as part of the Passport Challenge. More information is available at www.fishingpassport.org.
Related posts
Fish Passage Program Solves Dam Problems
September 15, 2008
This year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Program provided nearly $8.3 million to remove or bypass more than 168 barriers to fish passage. Along with nearly $18 million in partnership funds, the Fish Passage Program will help reopen 1,716 miles of streams and rivers and 9,471 acres to improve habitats for recreational fish and imperiled aquatic species.
The widespread issue of fish passage is the result of the construction of millions of culverts, dikes, water diversions, dams and other artificial barriers that impound and redirect water for irrigation, flood control, electricity, drinking water, and transportation — all changing natural features of rivers and streams. As the Service’s understanding of the response of fisheries to these barriers has grown, efforts have begun to reverse the negative impacts they’ve had on our fish and environment. The Fish Passage Program uses a voluntary, non-regulatory approach to work with municipal, state, tribal and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental agencies to reopen and improve aquatic habitats in the nation’s streams and rivers. The program provides funding and technical expertise to partners to remove or bypass dams and other obstructions and replace or improve culverts under roads or railroad tracks — all to allow fish to swim through. The goal of the program is to restore native fish and other aquatic species to self-sustaining levels by reconnecting habitat that has been fragmented by barriers.
One exemplary project supported by the Program is the removal of the Balmoral Dam on Mill Creek, a major tributary to the Wisconsin River, Wisconsin. The removal of the dam will restore stream flows and allow access to more than 92 miles of habitat for brook trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, western sand darter and other native fish and mussel species. The removal will also improve the quality of the cold-water trout fishery in the upstream reach, the warm-water fishery in the lower section, as well as improve water quality throughout the stream.
Other funded projects include:
- John Day River Basin, Oregon - $66,231 in Service funding and $440,000 in partner funds to restore passage at six diversions, allowing access to an additional 40.8 miles of stream habitat for the listed bull trout and Mid-Columbia River steelhead salmon, as well as spring Chinook salmon, redband trout and other native fish species.
- Homestead Woolen Mill Dam, Ashuelot River, Swanzey, New Hampshire - $83,623 in Service funding to remove the dam and restore access to five miles of stream habitat for Atlantic salmon, American shad and blueback herring.
- Loosahatchee Bar, Tennessee - $100,000 in Service funding and $65,000 in partner funding to remove one dam and restore access to four miles of stream habitat for pallid and shovelnose sturgeon and other fish species.
- Two Moose Creek, Alaska - $42,857 in Service funding to restore access to nine miles of stream habitat for steelhead, Coho and sockeye salmon.
- Oak Run Creek, Shasta County, California - $33,450 in Service funding and $20,000 in partner funds to remove to barriers and restore access to six miles of stream habitat for resident wild trout and other fish species.
Since its inception in 1999, the National Fish Passage Program has removed or bypassed 655, restoring access to almost 10,612 miles of river and 51,361 acres of wetlands. The Program has also been able to leverage an average of three dollars for every project dollar spent through its partners.
Click here for a complete list of funded 2008 projects:
http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/fwma/FishPassage/pdfs/NFPP08projects.pdf
For more information about the Fish Passage Program, visit our home page at:
http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/fwma/fishpassage
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
Related posts
Endangered Fish Returned to Native Waters in Arizona
September 5, 2008
It’s been a plan long in the making, but yesterday, the first Gila topminnow fish were reestablished in their native Arizona waters as part of a new program aimed at enlisting the help of non-federal landowners to conserve this endangered species.
A couple hundred fish were released into the TimBuckTwo pond near Amado, south of Tucson, on private land. The fish for this inaugural release came from Arizona State University (ASU), where breeding stock is maintained for the species. In addition to ASU, Desert Harbor Elementary School in Peoria also maintains a captive population of Gila topminnow.
“These fish were once common in southern Arizona below 5,200 feet, but populations declined due to habitat loss and competition from non-native species,” says Jeff Sorensen, native fish and invertebrate program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Today’s stocking is particularly important because these fish are of the rare Redrock lineage that only existed in captivity until today. This release will help us increase the numbers of this important lineage.”
While this is not the first reestablishment of Gila topminnow in Arizona, it is the first to occur as part of a new Safe Harbor Agreement. This program greatly increases the opportunities for private and non-federal landowners to participate in conservation and recovery efforts of endangered Gila topminnow, desert pupfish, Yaqui topminnow, and Quitobaquito pupfish by providing refuge sites. Most of the previous releases of Gila topminnow occurred on government or public-owned properties.
“We are pleased to add a third population of the Redrock lineage of Gila topminnow. It’s even more pleasing to accomplish it with conservation-minded landowners using this important tool to recover native fish in Arizona,” says Doug Duncan, a fish biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The reintroduction was carried out through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Game and Fish and the landowners.
“As professional biologists, we realize the importance of the Gila topminnow as part of the ecosystem and the state’s wildlife resources. We are delighted to be able to participate, as private landowners, in the conservation efforts for this species and to do our part to ensure the continued presence of these fish in Arizona,” say Kathy Groschupf and Frank Baucom, owners of TimBuckTwo.
Gila topminnows provide natural vector control, effectively preying on mosquito larvae and helping to control mosquito-borne illnesses. As a native species, they pose fewer threats to other species sharing the same habitat than non-native species that have been introduced in the past.
These fish grow to approximately 2 inches long and are the only native fish in Arizona to give birth to live young. They prefer shallow, slow-moving waters, and they were once the most common fish species in the Gila River basin.
Related posts
Maine Fishing Report For the Week beginning June 23, 2008
June 23, 2008
The Fish Report is written by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists. Starting this week, the report will begin an alternating weekly schedule throughout the summer. For more fishing information, visit www.maine.gov/ifw.
Region A – Southwestern Maine
This past Sunday I had a ton of chores to do around the house. So I went fishing.
My wife and I loaded some poles and warm water fishing gear into the boat and headed to Worthley Pond in Poland. The choice of pond was perfect for my circumstances. My wife prefers catching to fishing and the large number of smaller-sized largemouth bass at Worthley Pond offers great action for even the most novice of angler. The mostly undeveloped shoreline and light angler use adds a remote atmosphere and provides plenty of opportunity to fish over bass that have not been heavily fished.
We only spent a couple hours on the water and caught a half-dozen bass but we had a great time. Fishing for warm-water fish is a great way to introduce novice anglers to the sport of fishing.
Our seasonal creel census clerk Bill Yeo has been collecting some very interesting information from anglers on Sebago Lake. A glance at his data from this past Saturday reveals some very interesting numbers. Bill spoke with 35 parties of anglers on Saturday. These parties reported catching nine legal salmon, four of which were confirmed native fish. Also reported were 46 togue, only one of which was sublegal. One successful party reported catching 14 togue and one salmon in about four hours.
Since anglers are interviewed while fishing the aforementioned reported catch only reflects what was caught up to the time of the interview. Also, this information reflects anglers that have been fishing for several hours as well as those fishing only for a half- hour. Therefore, the actual total catch for the day was likely much higher than that reported to the clerk. The data also suggests parties that caught fish usually caught more than one, supporting the age-old adage that 10 percent of the anglers catch 90 percent of the fish. Whatever else the numbers have to indicate, they do indicate that there is some good fishing to be had on Sebago Lake.
– Brian Lewis, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Gray
Region B – Central Maine
With the cost of gas these days many anglers may be keeping their fishing expeditions down to a more local approach. With that in mind, anglers should consider some of the great smaller bass waters in your county that are accessible by canoe or kayak. You just may be surprised just how productive some of these smaller bodies of water can be.
There are quite a few ponds in Region B that have been classified as quality-size largemouth or smallmouth fishing.
The ponds with quality-size largemouth bass are Deer Meadow Pond in Jefferson, Grassy Pond in Rockport, Moose Pond in Mt. Vernon, and Nehumkeag Pond in Pittston. For quality-size smallmouth bass, go to Moose Hill Pond in Livermore. Nequasset Lake in Woolwich has both quality-size largemouth and smallmouth bass.
On average one could expect the opportunity to catch three or more bass in a day’s fishing on “quality-size bass waters.” Some of the fish could run between 12 and 18 inches in length. Of course on some days the fishing will prove to be much slower than this and the fish may be a little smaller. On some occasions the fishing may even be better than expected. But then, I guess that’s why the sport is called “fishing” and not “catching”!
– Scott Davis, Fisheries Biology Specialist, Sidney
Region C — Downeast
Of all Maine’s sport fish, the smallmouth bass rank high in anglers’ minds as the hard-fighting, cooperative, abundant fish species that represents the way fishing should be. While different groups of anglers are always shopping and buying those “new” lures that might catch more fish, there is a big difference between the amount of fishing tackle taken in the boat by landlocked salmon anglers when compared to bass anglers.
For instance, when I fish for landlocked salmon, everything I use fits in one large tackle box. But when I fish for bass, I always take at least four tackle boxes, and one of them is huge! After all, there are topwater lures, crankbaits, stickbaits, and several styles of spinners. Multiply each of those by the various color patterns we possess for each lure type (natural, fire tiger, chartreuse, blaze orange) and you can quickly see why one tackle box must be almost as large as a cooler! The other tackle boxes house jig heads, hooks, and a wide variety of soft plastic lures.
Because of the high importance of smallmouth bass to Maine’s anglers, fisheries biologists in eastern Maine have intensively studied populations in approximately 35 waters over the last 22 years, beginning with the high priority fisheries. Sampling methods have included SCUBA, electrofishing, trapnetting, and angling. We have collected information on lengths, weights, fishing effort, and ages of bass, permitting us to learn about the quality of bass populations from these 35 waters from more than 8,000 individual bass. There’s no guesswork involved in this kind of information.
Our staff biologists are finishing this spring’s sampling at Holbrook Pond and Graham Lake this week with the Department’s electrofishing boat.
Because bass anglers are always interested in the quality of bass fishing in their region, the purpose of this fishing report is to share a summary of the quality of numerous bass fisheries, based on our findings. Studies in Maine have shown that catch and release angling for bass occurs in 97 percent of Maine’s open water fishing trips. This important angler ethic is a primary reason for the excellence of Maine’s bass fishing.
We have compiled a summary of information about the catch rate for smallmouth bass at each water, measured during the spawning season, and the percentage of bass larger than 12 inches and 14 inches. By looking at the catch rate along with the sizes of bass, anglers will gain a perspective of the fishing quality in these waters. Because several lakes have been sampled multiple times, the information represents averages over the years. To view the chart, visit www.maine.gov/ifw and click on fishing.
Some of Maine’s best bass fishing occurs from late June through the end of August. Try top-water fishing on calm hot summer mornings when the dragonflies are flitting over the lily pads. Troll Rapalas and Rebels around offshore boulder shoals on windy days. And fish from twilight into total darkness with surface lures when the only sensations you experience are the glug-glug-glug of your Jitterbug as you reel it three feet, then wait to hear the explosive splash of a large bass grabbing it from the lake surface in the dark.
– Rick Jordan, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jonesboro
Region D – Western Maine
Summer fishing conditions are upon us. Warming water temperatures in lakes and ponds are forcing coldwater fish species to seek thermal refuge. It’s easy for fish to find these conditions in most large lakes by just going deeper. That’s also what anglers have to do to target trout and salmon. Trolling slow using a downrigger or lead-core fishing line is what it takes to get down into the 40- to 60-foot water where the fish are suspended.
If fishing for brook trout or salmon, the Rangeley area is hard to beat. All the larger lakes contain trout and salmon and have good public access. Togue anglers can go to Clearwater Pond in Industry, Embden Pond in Embden, Jim Pond in Jim Pond Township, or Spring Lake in T3 R4 BKP WKR to find some good action.
Togue anglers looking for a quieter atmosphere might try carrying a small boat or canoe into Lincoln Pond in Parkertown Township. or West Carry Pond in Carrying Place Town Township. All these ponds are deep and contain large lake trout and a few good brookies too. A sewed-on sucker or a streamer fly and dodger are a couple of good techniques to try using.
Last week, the sampling of Androscoggin River smallmouth bass was completed in the 14-mile reach between Rumford and the head of the Riley impoundment in Canton. We fell four bass shy of the hundred fish goal, but are considering that good due to the high water conditions during the sampling period. The bass ranged from 7 to 18½ inches long with over a third of the fish being greater than 15 inches. Also caught were a few brown trout and rainbow trout, as well as many large chubs.
This week we will begin sampling Wesserunsett Lake in Madison and Wilson Pond in Wilton. For these waters we will be using an electrofishing boat. This boat is very effective at collecting fish, but also very noisy, as the power source is an on-board generator. People around these waters should expect to hear this activity, especially since much of this work is done at night.
Although largemouth bass are not common in northwestern Maine, there are a few ponds that have good populations. Norcross, Sand, and Crowell Ponds in Chesterville and Wesserunsett Lake are all excellent places to cast a popper into a weed bed or work a rubber worm along a drop-off. Anglers can catch bass up to five pounds, although the average size fish will be much smaller. Pickerel, perch, and sunfish can also be caught at the same time.
– David Howatt, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, Strong
Region E – Moosehead Lake
We are once again experiencing a wet and rainy month of June, which has kept river flows high and the chance of thunderstorms has been a reoccurring evening event. Due to these wet conditions mayfly and caddis hatches have been off schedule in many of the ponds and rivers I fish in the region.
Water temperatures are still relatively cool for this time of year. Hopefully, the warmer, sunnier weather predicted for this coming week will help warm things up and the insect hatches will pick up in time for those anglers looking to take advantage of the last superlative insect hatch of the season, the “Green Drake Hatch”.
The Fourth of July is when we begin to see green drake hatches start up in the Moosehead Lake Region. Since many of these ponds are not on the same insect hatching schedule anglers should do a little scouting to ensure they can experience a full blown “Green Drake Hatch.” By checking a pond that you know has a green drake hatch during the day, you can tell if the hatch has begun and see to what extent the hatch has progressed due to the presence or absence of green drake casings floating on the surface of the water. In most cases, green drakes do not begin to come off the water until after dark, so if you did your homework and you have a flashlight, sit back, and be patient.
On June 21-22, the Moosehead Lake Fisheries Coalition and Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce hosted a Moosehead Lake Open Water Togue Fishing Derby. Derby organizers report that the event was a fun and enjoyable weekend of fishing. Cash prizes were awarded to the three largest lake trout and smallest lake trout entered, along with a chance at numerous raffle prizes for each lake trout entered.
Eighty-four tickets were sold during the two-day event. Anglers registered 231 lake trout between 7 and 26 inches. Cash prizes for the three largest and smallest lake trout went to the following anglers: First place- Don Brodeur, 26.25 inches at 6.39 pounds; second place- Mitchell Guerette, 23 inches at 3.12 pounds; third place- Malcolm Batchblder, 21 inches at 3.04 pounds. The smallest lake trout honors went to Walt Guerette for his 7-inch “wall hanger”. John Myatt won the Old Town Predator canoe. Congratulations to all the winners and the anglers that made this event a success.
– Stephen Seeback, Fisheries Biology Specialist, Greenville
Region F — Penobscot
This past week we received several reports of very good fishing from around the region. The warm water lakes such as East Branch Lake in Seboeis Plt, Mattawamkeag Lake in Island Falls, Baskahegan Lake in Brookton, Mattanawcook Lake in Lincoln and Eskutassis Lake in Burlington are producing nice catches of white perch, smallmouth bass and pickerel. The bass fishing in the Penobscot River is excellent from Millinocket to Bangor.
Reports from our coldwater lakes and ponds are equally as good. Upper Cold Stream Pond in Lincoln is producing some nice brook trout as well as good catches of white perch. Anglers on Cold Stream Pond are reporting lots of action last week, but things started to slow down towards the weekend. The fish they reported were not lunkers but legal, fat and sassy.
The green drake mayflies have started to hatch at Nicatous Lake in T3 ND. A couple that tented out at one of the conservation camp sites reported a few drakes hatching. The fly-fishing for white perch in the evening was GREAT using a large white wolf. They also caught and released 2 brown trout between 12 and 15 inches. The smallmouth bass fishing was slow but they were taking poppers off the surface.
With the start of the drake hatch many of the ponds in Baxter will come alive with trout feeding at around dark. This is the time of year many fly anglers look forward to as they set tying flies during the long winter months. I recommend that you should waste no time getting out and enjoying the Maine Summer. It is far too short.
Not only are the mayflies hatching, but hoards of midges joined their buddies the black flies and mosquitoes. If you are planning to venture outdoors make sure you have plenty of bug repellent.
– Brian Campbell, Fisheries Biologist Specialist, West Enfield
Region G – Aroostook County
For a number of anglers and many special interest groups seeking to improve the fishing in Maine ponds for trophy-size trout, the overwhelming request to fishery managers is for more catch and release fishing. During former Commissioner Owens’ program to establish Blue Ribbon Trout Waters, input from anglers at public meetings in this region favored establishing a one trout daily bag limit and a minimum length limit of 18 inches. The intent was that most of the fishing would be catch and release but should a trophy trout be caught (the public considered an 18-inch trout as being a trophy), they would like the opportunity to keep it.
Subsequently, 1 fish daily bag limits and higher length limits have been established on several ponds in this region. Other fishery regions have established similar regulations and may have several catch and release ponds. New regulations are being evaluated in other ponds for their ability to increase the number of larger trout. The one common denominator in all of these regulations is that a number of trout are generally caught and released by anglers in a day of fishing. The idea being that the fish will survive to grow larger and to be available for other anglers to catch. But in the world of fisheries management things aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.
Consider the common loon, a very attractive bird that is often found on the lakes and ponds in Maine. The cry of the loon is a sound that thrills campers on the lakeshores in the late evening and early morning. It is common knowledge that loons eat fish. What may not be common knowledge is that in some of these trout ponds around the state in which fishery managers have established catch and release or trophy trout pond regulations, loons have acquired a learned behavior that has overcome their wariness toward humans. Devices that have been used to deter loons from this behavior have been ineffective once the behavior has been acquired.
Loons on these ponds have associated the splash of a trout being caught and played with an easy meal. They keep their distance while anglers are fishing but upon hearing the sound of splashing water, they swim near to the canoe and wait for the trout to be released, grabbing it almost immediately upon its release. To those who would argue that a loon is a wild bird and remain skeptical that loons would be capable of such brazen behavior, I would offer the following excerpt received from angler Ryan Burton who shared with us his experience on a pond in northern Maine:
“The trout must be taking a beating from loons. They were following me around like seagulls waiting for scraps from a lobster boat. In two hours I caught eight nice fish between 14 and 16 inches but decided to stop fishing because I was afraid every weakened fish I released was becoming loon food.
“I had a crazy experience. The last fish I hooked, I grabbed my camera to try to get a picture of it in the water. As soon as it was right next to the canoe I went to snap the picture and the water erupted soaking me and camera both. It took a second to realize that the fish had just got hammered by a loon! I don’t even remember snapping the picture, but somehow it sort of came out OK. I’ve never seen anything like it! For a second or two I was fighting with a 14-inch trout and a loon on my fly rod with about six feet of 6-pound leader out! The loon came off without breaking the line and the trout was pretty beat, but I had to let it go (too short for this pond). Soon after, that loon torpedoed from under the canoe and the brookie disappeared. It was crazy!
The fishing was great, but I wish the loons would relocate! It seems they are eating all of next year’s 18 inchers.”
Still have the opinion that all fishermen lie or maybe stretch the truth? See the photo on our Web site, www.maine.gof/ifw and click on fishing.
So I think you now can understand our dilemma, as one charged to improve the sport fishery for larger brook trout, how do we manage around this conundrum?
– Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland
Related posts
Alabama State-Fish Art Contest Winners Announced
May 21, 2008
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) and Wildlife Forever announced today the Alabama winners of the 10th Annual State-Fish Art Contest for Alabama students.
Alabama’s 2008 winners are: Connor Holcomb – Crossville (Grades 4-6), Saumer Neely – Birmingham (Grades 7-9), and Hanna Foushee – Odenville (Grades 10-12). Their winning artwork can be viewed at www.outdooralabama.com and at www.statefishart.com.
With three age categories for students from fourth grade to high school seniors, the nationwide contest encourages young artists to draw and learn about their state’s native fish, as well as fish from other states, and to compete for art scholarships to attend the Art Institutes International Minnesota.
The State-Fish Art Contest is part of a conservation education program that sparks the imagination of students, while providing valuable lessons about fish and the importance of conserving the nation’s aquatic resources. “Wildlife Forever is pleased to honor the talented young artists, educators and parents who make the State-Fish Art Contest a memorable event,” said Douglas H. Grann, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever.
“Together, we are using art to empower a new generation of conservationists. By sharing their fish art with family, friends and the general public, our young people are becoming ambassadors for good stewardship of fish and wildlife habitat.”
In addition to having their artwork displayed at www.statefishart.com, the Alabama winners will have the opportunity to join talented young artists from across the U.S. at the State-Fish Art Expo, July 19-20, at the Mall of America. All winning artwork will be on display, and an Awards Ceremony will recognize the winners before a large Mall crowd. Each winning artist who attends the Expo will receive a blue ribbon, fishing rod and reel, a gift certificate for art supplies from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff and other prizes.
National awards to be announced at the State-Fish Art Expo include ‘Best of Show’ honors for the top three pieces of artwork in each grade category from across the United States. The national “Best of Show” winner in grades 10-12 will receive a $2,500 scholarship to The Art Institutes International Minnesota. The first runner-up in grades 10-12 will also receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college.
Additionally, one outstanding piece of artwork will win the ‘Art of Conservation’ Stamp Award and be reproduced as a conservation stamp. Proceeds from the stamp will be used to fund conservation education and aquatic restoration projects across America.
Alabama is unique in that it has two state fish: the largemouth bass and the fighting tarpon. Student artists may create an illustration of any official state fish depicted in its natural habitat. The state fish for each state is pictured at www.statefishart.com/states.
The artwork must be the contestant’s original, by hand, creation. Participants had to include a written composition on the fish’s behavior, habitat, and conservation. The contest is open to all students in Grades 4-12. Entries are separated into three grade categories: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winning contestants from every state are honored in each category.
For contest information, visit www.statefishart.com, or call toll-free 1-877-FISHART (347-4278). Information about largemouth bass may be obtained by contacting the Fisheries Section of the WFF Division at 334-242-3471, or by viewing information at www.OutdoorAlabama.com.
Wildlife Forever is a multi-species, non-profit conservation organization that works to preserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat, and scientific management of fish and wildlife species. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to “on the ground” conservation efforts. Learn more at www.wildlifeforever.org.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.OutdoorAlabama.com.
Related posts
ODFW invites public comment on proposed fishing rules
May 6, 2008
Salem, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites members of the fishing public to comment on proposed changes to the 2009 sport fishing regulations at 11 public meetings held throughout Oregon in May.
The comments received at these meetings will be presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission when it considers changes to the angling regulations at its August meeting in Salem. The Commission will make its final decision on the 2009 sport fishing rules in September.
ODFW initiates a comprehensive review of the sport fishing regulations every four years. This year’s process began in late 2007 when ODFW staff and Oregon State Police Officers began drafting proposed changes to the current regulations. Members of the public were invited to submit their proposals throughout 2007 and early 2008.
More than 330 proposed regulation changes were considered, including 265 submitted by members of the public. Some of the changes to be considered by the Commission include:
- A requirement that anglers turn in Harvest Tags to ODFW before they can obtain a new tag.
- Statewide warmwater fish regulations that introduce bag limits on crappie (50 fish) and channel catfish (20).
- Reestablish a consumptive trout season on north coast streams.
- Increase the daily bag limit for fin-clipped Chinook on the Elk River in order to reduce interactions with wild Chinook.
- A number of proposals to increase the harvest of hatchery fish from several rivers in the Willamette Zone in order to increase fishing opportunities and benefit on-going native fish conservation efforts.
- Proposals to create youth angling fisheries on Canby and Commonwealth Ponds.
- A reduction in the daily catch limit for kokanee in Lake Billy Chinook from the current bonus bag limit of 25 fish to the general bag limit of five trout/kokanee per day.
- Establish a slot limit for rainbow trout on Crane Prairie Reservoir.
- The designation of Davis Lake as catch-and-release only for all rainbow trout.
- Reduction in the daily surf perch limit from 15 fish per day in aggregate to 10 fish per day.
- Opening up the ocean to year-round sport crabbing. .
All proposals were reviewed by the Angling Regulations Review Board, comprised of 10 public representatives from ODFW working groups, task forces and the general angling public and one Fish and Wildlife Commission member. Board members used several evaluation criteria that required proposals be specific, easily understood, enforceable, consistent with other rules and policies, biologically sound, supported by affected citizens and necessary to achieve an objective.
The public meetings will focus on proposals that passed the Review Board process, but the public is invited to comment on all of the proposals submitted. A list of all the proposals, as well as a description of the review process and additional opportunities for public input (pdf)
Public meetings will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
LA GRANDE: Tuesday, May 13 at Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th Street.
BEND: Wednesday, May 14 at Central Oregon Community College, Hitchcock Auditorium, 2600 N.W. College Way.
KLAMATH FALLS: Thursday, May 15 at OSU Extension Service, 3328 Vandenberg Rd.
WHITE CITY/CENTRAL POINT: Friday, May 16 at Jackson County Auditorium, 404 Antelope Rd., White City.
COOS BAY/NORTH BEND: Monday, May 19 at North Bend Library, 1800 Sherman Ave.
ROSEBERG: Tuesday, May 20 at Douglas County Library, 1409 N.E. Diamond Lake Blvd.
EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD: Wednesday, May 21 at Lane Community College, Forum Building (#17), Room 308, 4000 E. 30th Ave.
NEWPORT: Thursday, May 22 at Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 S.E. Marine Science Dr.
TILLAMOOK: Friday, May 23 at Oregon Department of Forestry, 5005 Third St.
SALEM: Tuesday, May 27 at ODFW Headquarters, 3406 Cherry Ave. N.E.
PORTLAND METRO: Wednesday, May 28 at Sunnybrook Service Center, 9109 S.E. Sunnybrook Center, Clackamas.
###
Related posts
Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery Closed to Public for Raceway Construction
May 6, 2008
The Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery in Brimley, Mich., will be closed to the public for extensive renovation May 1 to November 15, 2008. The hatchery will receive 16 new rearing units or “raceways” to replace the original units that were constructed in the 1950s. The raceways will average 30 inches deep and each set of four units will be spaced far enough apart to allow for Service vehicles to drive between. These rearing units will be used to produce more than 1.2 million fish each year.
The Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery received $1,227,590 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service construction funds to build the new raceways. Project Leader Curtis Friez expects the hatchery will re-open to the public in late November of this year.
The Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery rears lake trout as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Program. The hatchery produces 850,000 yearling lake trout for spring stocking, 15,000 lake trout broodstock, and more than six million eggs annually.
Since 1871, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program has played a vital role in conserving and managing native fish and other aquatic resources. For more information about the Fisheries Program, go to http://fisheries.fws.gov.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
-FWS-
Related posts
Genoa National Fish Hatchery Receives Funding for New Outdoor Classroom
May 6, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Genoa National Fish Hatchery in Genoa, Wisconsin, will receive more than $95,000 as part of the National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act of 2006, to apply toward the construction of a new outdoor education classroom.
Plans for the outdoor classroom include the construction of a boardwalk with interactive stations within a working wetland that explain the importance of wetland hydrology, pollution control, and the fish and wildlife that wetlands support. Children and adults will be able to access a wildlife area adjacent to the wetland for unstructured exploration and play. A handicap accessible fishing dock will also create recreational fishing opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Outdoor Classroom and hatchery tours will be available to school groups and to the public.
“The staff and I at Genoa are excited to work with local educators and Service groups to develop this outdoor classroom and learning center. We hope that this effort will help develop the next generation of conservation stewards, and pass along a conservation legacy that our children can respect and admire,” said Doug Aloisi, project leader at Genoa National Fish Hatchery. Aloisi extended his appreciation to Congressman Ron Kind who has been an instrumental advocate for increasing volunteerism and visitor services at National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries.
The Genoa National Fish Hatchery works to recover threatened and endangered aquatic species in the Midwest Region. The hatchery’s current programs include Threatened and Endangered mussel recovery, native fish restoration, and fish production and stocking. The hatchery also works cooperatively with state and tribal partners to restore declining populations of lake sturgeon and coaster brook trout. In 2007, the hatchery produced more than 31 million fish and native mussels of 23 species. Genoa’s groundbreaking work in mussel recovery is also assisting in recovery efforts of two of the Upper Mississippi River Region’s most endangered mussels.
Regional Director Robyn Thorson said that funding this outdoor classroom reflects the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s commitment to providing accessible outdoor teaching facilities that foster an appreciation for nature. “Genoa’s new project will educate people about wetland ecology by opening the doors to a real working wetland. The interactive features of the outdoor classroom will engage and inform local Genoa residents and tourists from across the region.”
Construction of the outdoor classroom is expected to begin in July 2008.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
-FWS-