Fishing

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.

North Dakota's 2026-28 fishing regulations are effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028, with new licenses required. Notable changes include allowing white sucker as live bait on specific waters, reinitiation of chinook salmon snagging season, elimination of darkhouse spearfishing registration requirements, and increased white bass limits to 30 daily and 60 possession.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department warns that ice conditions on lakes and ponds are changing rapidly due to warm temperatures and rain. Game Warden Major Jenna Reed urges ice anglers to use caution and carry safety gear including self-rescue picks and spud bars when recreating on ice this season.

Yamamoto has launched the all-new Shibo Swimmer, a paddle tail swimbait designed to outperform traditional baits with enhanced water displacement and a powerful tail kick. Available in three sizes with 12 color options, the bait works effectively on bladed jigs, Alabama rigs, and ballhead jigs across various fishing conditions.

Fish Monkey offers 26 models designed for various angling scenarios. Quality fishing gloves provide comfort, sun protection with UPF 50-plus ratings, hand protection from cuts and scrapes, and eliminate the need for sunscreen that can harm live bait.

Unoccupied fish houses must be removed from all waters beginning March 15. Fish houses may be used after this date if removed daily, and anglers are encouraged to clean up any trash left behind.

Michigan's 2026 fishing licenses are now available for purchase and valid through March 31, 2027. Anglers ages 17 and older must purchase a license to fish public waters, with options ranging from $2 youth licenses to $76 nonresident annual licenses. Licenses can be purchased through Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks permitted 28 ice fishing contests for winter 2025/2026 and 46 open-water contests for 2026. FWP uses a permitting process to balance recreation with conservation, requiring applications for larger tournaments while exempting small events with fewer than 30 participants and under $500 in prizes.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications from March 1-14, with a nonrefundable $7 application fee. Permits will be awarded through random drawing based on preference points, with results available by March 20 and payment due by April 5.

The Michigan DNR reminds anglers that lake sturgeon caught while ice fishing must be released immediately to ensure survival and comply with regulations. The DNR partners with state, federal, and tribal agencies to rehabilitate lake sturgeon populations listed as threatened since 1994.