Wyoming Game and Fish Department fisheries supervisors Matt Hahn, John Walrath, Darren Rhea, Jake Ruthven, Paul Gerrity, and Bobby Compton provide regional spring-summer fishing outlooks. Despite low water levels and warm temperatures, excellent opportunities exist for walleye, trout, kokanee salmon, and other species across Wyoming's reservoirs and rivers.
Nebraska's Free Fishing and Park Entry Day on May 16 allows visitors to enjoy state parks and fishing without permits. Family-friendly activities are scheduled across multiple state parks including Schramm Park State Recreation Area, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, Ponca State Park, Platte River State Park, Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, and Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hosting Community Fishing Events across the state beginning in May, offering free fishing instruction, equipment, and bait for all ages. The Discover Fly-Fishing program returns in 2026, and a new Chat with a Biologist feature will be available at select locations.
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 has restocked Salem Lake and Island Pond to support walleye populations in the Northeast Kingdom.
Michigan's trout and Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open April 25. The Michigan DNR's new interactive Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations map helps anglers check regulations for their fishing areas, available at Michigan.gov/FishingMaps and the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for 2027–2028 at a May 14 public meeting in Kalispell. Thirteen proposals affect FWP Region 1's western fishing district, covering changes to Flathead Lake species limits, reservoir restrictions, and river bait and gear regulations.
North Dakota's 2026 paddlefish snagging season runs May 1-21 for anglers with valid paddlefish tags and fishing licenses. Snagging is permitted 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time daily, with possible in-season closures based on harvest levels. Tags are available for mail delivery or pickup at five Game and Fish Department offices.
The Go Fishing Fest on May 16 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area offers participants the chance to learn fishing, fly-fishing, bowfishing, and kayak fishing with help from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The free event features Community Fishing Trailers, equipment availability, and educational sessions on fisheries management and aquatic invasive species.
North Dakota's paddlefish snagging season opens May 1 through May 21, with possible early closure based on harvest levels. The Game and Fish Department requires paddlefish tags and valid fishing licenses for all snaggers 16 and older, available online or at department offices.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited in most state waters and any incidentally caught sturgeon must be immediately released. The DNR and partners, including the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, are working to rehabilitate lake sturgeon populations through streamside rearing and stocking efforts.
New Jersey's trout season opens April 11 with 19 additional fishing days, 23 new stocked ponds, and over 570,000 rainbow trout plus 20,000 brown trout from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. NJDEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak and Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden highlighted simplified regulations and expanded opportunities for anglers.
Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved spring Chinook seasons opening April 25 across multiple Snake River and Clearwater River sections. Bag limits and fishing days vary by river section, with preseason forecasts projecting sufficient hatchery salmon for sport fisheries.
Michigan's 2026 fishing season begins April 1 with new regulations in effect through March 31, 2027. Major changes include updated possession limits for Lake Superior lake trout and splake, new walleye protections at Lake Independence and Teal Lake, a five-fish daily burbot limit, and expanded underwater spearfishing waters in the Great Lakes.
A mural honoring legendary fly-fishing pioneer Dave Whitlock was unveiled March 26 at Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop in Bull Shoals, created by artist Duane Hada. The mural, funded by donations from fly-fishing groups and individuals, features Whitlock releasing a trout below Bull Shoals Dam and commemorates his contributions to fly-fishing and trout propagation.
Vermont's trout fishing season opens April 11, with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recommending anglers focus on low-elevation streams and use larger baits or visible flies. State Fisheries Biologist Shawn Good advises checking the department's Trout Stocking page for updated information on stocked waters.
Wisconsin angler Alan Hintz caught a 3-pound yellow perch on March 1 through the ice in Pelican Bay on Devils Lake, setting a new North Dakota state record. The previous record of 2 pounds, 15 ounces, was held by Kyle Smith since 1982.
Michigan's DNR Master Angler program released 2025 results showing 4,391 approved entries from 3,577 anglers, a 25% increase over 2024. The revamped online application reduced errors, with Lake Michigan producing the most awards across 760 different bodies of water.
National Walleye Tour anglers John Hoyer and Duane "Dewey" Hjelm switched to Norsk Lithium batteries for the 2026 tournament season, citing reliability, customer service, and recommendations from fellow anglers like Jay Siemens and Will Pappenfus. Norsk Lithium batteries offer 4,000+ charge cycles and a 10+2 year warranty, providing anglers with dependable power for electronics and trolling motors.
The Midwest Walleye Challenge's third year introduces County Captains and Weekly Challenges to boost participation and strengthen local pride. The Nebraska Walleye Challenge, running April 1-June 28, is a citizen science event where anglers compete for $10,000 in prizes while providing catch data to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife awarded 10,127 Fish Ohio pins to anglers in 2025 for catching trophy fish across 26 species. Lake Erie led with 3,867 qualifying catches, while popular inland destinations included Mosquito Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake, and Alum Creek Lake. The program celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.