FISHERIES

The MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program invites volunteers to monitor water quality and fish habitat on Michigan's inland lakes. Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and administered with Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, and the Huron River Watershed Council, the program provides training, equipment, and data collection opportunities for community science participants.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources explains that winterkill is a normal phenomenon during spring thaw, particularly in shallow lakes and urban canals. Aaron Switzer, DNR fish production program manager, notes these localized events typically don't affect overall fish population health. Residents can report fish kills at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.

NOAA Fisheries will distribute 545,576 pounds of withheld Deep-Water Grouper quota on April 1, 2026, as federal regulations require distribution if Amendment 58B implementing regulations are not finalized by June 1. IFQ shareholders will receive additional allocation based on their current DWG shares held.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocked approximately 3,050 retired adult trout from state fish hatcheries in the Huron River and Spring Mill Pond in southeast Michigan. The fish, ranging from 13 to 20 inches, include brown trout and rainbow trout, with special fishing regulations applying to each location through April.

Hatchery trout stocking operations will not occur at Mormon Reservoir and Little Camas Reservoir during the 2026 season due to low water levels caused by below-average snowpack. IDFG will redirect trout to other Magic Valley Region waters and continue monitoring conditions for potential resumption when levels recover.

Georgia's Coastal Resources Division is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment to saltwater fishing regulations that would allow certified shellfish master harvesters to collect maricultured oysters during summer months with expanded harvest windows, based on University of Georgia research showing safe practices when proper cooling and handling are followed.

Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the DNR Fisheries Division, U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are offering April workshops covering Great Lakes fishery research, fish populations, forage fish surveys, and fisheries management across multiple regions.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will host a public meeting on April 8 at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho to share Bear Lake fishery updates and 2026 work plans. Biologists will present population trends and management work, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved funding for the Dan Speas Warm and Cool Water Facility expansion in Casper. The project will reduce reliance on out-of-state fish sources and mitigate aquatic invasive species risks. Sletten Construction of Wyoming won the $20.9 million bid, with construction beginning September 2026.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery, managed by Jeff Newman, spawned 360,000 walleye fry in early March through electrofishing operations at Carpenter Dam tailwater. The fry will be stocked in Lake Catherine, the Ouachita River, and the Saline River to support southern Arkansas angling opportunities.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved nearly $440,000 in funding through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP) for eight habitat restoration projects across the state. Projects include reconnecting Big Hole River tributaries, restoring Hyde Creek spawning habitat, and improving riparian areas to benefit native and non-native fish species.

Grey Bear Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River will have restricted access to its boat ramp and parking area beginning late March for a construction project. FWP will develop overflow parking, a walking trail, and improve existing facilities, with work anticipated to complete by April 30. Contact recreation manager Sean Flynn at 406-431-6112 to request launch access during construction.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will collect approximately 35.4 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River starting March 23 using electrofishing boats below Croton Dam. Collected fry will be stocked throughout the Lower Peninsula and reared to fingerling size for distribution to lakes and rivers statewide.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is implementing a 30-year fish production and stocking plan to address population growth and drought conditions. The plan includes increasing native fish species production, raising more cool and warmwater sportfish species, and adjusting stocking strategies, with Fish Culture Coordinator Roger Mellenthin and Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick leading these efforts.

The Gulf Council will hold a three-day meeting April 7-9, 2026, at The Battle House Renaissance in Mobile, Alabama. The Council will take final action on lane snapper catch limits and red grouper quota measures, review shrimp assessments, and discuss recreational fishing seasons and management updates.

Texas A&M AgriLife's Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, supported by AgriLife Extension Service and AgriLife Research, serves as the state's only public laboratory dedicated to private pond and aquaculture diagnostics. In 2025, the lab completed 149 diagnostic cases across Texas and 14 states, supporting nearly 10,000 acres of private waters valued at over $26 million. Director Todd Sink and specialist Brittany Chesser provide comprehensive water quality analysis, fish disease diagnostics, and cyanotoxin testing with actionable management recommendations.

MassWildlife will stock over 400,000 trout across 450 lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 264 Massachusetts towns beginning mid-March. This year's fish are larger than ever, with over 80% measuring over 12 inches, including retired brood trout and tiger trout.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife will release more than 80,000 rainbow trout at 93 locations beginning March 11 across the state. New release locations include Meadow Ridge Metro Park's Mirror Pond, Restoration Park Pond, East Palestine Park Pond, and others, with youth-only fishing opportunities at select sites.

The Gulf Council will hold five Ecosystem Working Group meetings across the Gulf region from March to April 2026 to discuss Fishery Ecosystem Issues of Concern and inform the Gulf Fishery Ecosystem Plan. Meetings will feature facilitated discussions on key factors affecting Gulf fisheries and sector-specific breakout sessions.

Join the DNR research vessel R/V Lake Char on a Lake Superior expedition to Klondike Reef in a short film documenting lake trout research. The crew studies this important native species, which has recently met recovery goals after facing challenges from invasive species, pollution, and overharvest. The expedition led by research biologist Shawn Sitar provides insights applicable to managing fish populations at other offshore reef locations.