Fisheries

Payette Lake's kokanee population is experiencing lower abundance this year, but the fish are larger than usual. Idaho Fish and Game's lake trout suppression program and renewed kokanee stocking efforts since 2018 have successfully rebuilt the fishery from near-total collapse, with managers now evaluating stocking strategies and natural reproduction to maintain long-term sustainability.

A substantial fish kill affecting all species occurred at Timber Point Wildlife Management Area in Butler County, Nebraska. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists confirmed extremely low dissolved oxygen levels caused by an algal bloom die-off. The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District manages the WMA.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued emergency changes effective July 2 to increase daily fishing limits at seven waterbodies including Pineview Reservoir, Minersville Reservoir, and Otter Creek Reservoir due to low water levels from construction projects and drought impacts. DWR Director Riley Peck stated the changes aim to allow anglers to harvest additional fish so they are not wasted.

Florida's 2026 recreational bay scallop season opens July 1 through September 24 in Franklin County, northwestern Taylor County, and portions of Levy, Citrus, and Hernando counties. Daily bag limits are two gallons of whole scallops or one pint of meat per person, with vessel limits of 10 gallons whole or four pints shucked per day. Harvesters must follow safety regulations and possess a Florida saltwater fishing license.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Legacy Lunker program completed its first year by stocking approximately 295,000 fingerlings spawned from angler-donated trophy bass across Arkansas lakes. The fingerlings were produced through collaboration with Red Hills Fishery in Georgia and stocked alongside 2 million additional largemouth and Florida bass from AGFC hatcheries.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries biologist Sam Bourret led a study using otolith geochemistry and redd counts to identify which streams in the Swan River basin are most critical for bull trout recovery. The research reveals that some streams produce more surviving bull trout than spawning activity alone suggests, helping guide future habitat restoration and conservation efforts.

Idaho Fish and Game will stock approximately 110,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout throughout the state in July 2026. The stocking highlights include over 50 lakes, ponds, and river sections across Idaho, offering family-friendly fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.

The Gulf Council is seeking a qualified contractor to develop regulatory streamlining procedures for fishery management, including expanding framework flexibility and automating catch advice updates for pilot species. The project has a maximum budget of $150,000 with a completion target of Fall 2027 and a proposal deadline of July 10, 2026.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will stock approximately 15-inch channel catfish in select waters starting the week of June 29, providing anglers of all ages an opportunity to catch larger fish than the typical 10-inch stock size.

Idaho Fish and Game urges anglers to help control walleye expansion outside designated waters, as the predatory species consumes native game fish and threatens salmon and steelhead populations. Biologists Joe Kozfkay and Marika Dobos explain that walleye are unsuitable for most Idaho waters and ask anglers to kill all walleye caught outside Salmon Falls Creek, Oneida, and Oakley reservoirs.

Montana's yellow and green tag paddlefish seasons closed June 15 with an estimated combined harvest of 497 fish, significantly impacted by low river flows. The harvest included 409 fish from the Yellowstone River and seven from the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam, with biological data collected to support future population management.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources completed over 350 fisheries surveys in 2025, including 225 inland lake surveys and 127 stream surveys. These surveys, coordinated by Jim Francis and DNR Fisheries Division Chief Randy Claramunt, evaluate management actions and track fish populations to support recreational fishing and ecosystem health.

A federal court ruling halted Exempted Fishing Permits for red snapper seasons in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, led by Commissioner Walter Rabon, will resubmit a revised application with partner states and federal officials, hoping to establish a red snapper season later this fall.

Idaho Fish and Game Fisheries Bureau Chief Lance Hebdon explains how severe drought and summer heat threaten fishing opportunities. Managers will consider salvage fishing, fish relocation, or allowing natural die-offs based on cost-benefit analysis and available resources.

NOAA Fisheries implemented a final rule reducing catch limits for the Gulf Other Shallow-Water Grouper complex by 54.7% and establishing a fixed closed recreational season from January 1 through June 30 annually, effective January 1, 2027, based on Gulf Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee recommendations.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering charter boat captains and guides up to $1,500 per trip to take winners of the Reel in the Blues Bonanza on blue catfish trips during summer and fall 2026. The program aims to remove invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay while supporting the charter fishing industry.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has reopened the northern portion of Point of Rocks Fishing Access Site on the upper Yellowstone River near Carbella after lifting a partial closure due to a grizzly bear feeding on an animal carcass.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced a projected mid-July closure of the Blackfoot River below Weigh Station Fishing Access Site due to BNSF Railway Company bridge repairs. The closure will last until end of October, with alternative access available at Milltown State Park Confluence Area and Sha-Ron Fishing Access Site.

The Gulf Council is seeking a qualified contractor to develop regulatory streamlining procedures for fishery management, including expanding framework flexibility and automating catch advice updates for pilot species. The project has a maximum budget of $150,000 with a completion deadline of Fall 2027 and a proposal submission deadline of July 10, 2026.

The Gulf Council is seeking fisherman feedback on king mackerel trends in the Gulf through its Fisherman Feedback Tool to inform an ongoing scientific stock assessment. Responses are due by July 12, 2026, and will help scientists and managers develop a current understanding of the stock.