Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick explains how drought impacts fish species, fishing access, and stocking strategies. The DWR is adjusting fish stocking and raising warmwater species like channel catfish, walleye, and wipers at Logan Fish Hatchery to adapt to warmer water conditions.
Sedrick Neinhuis of Lowell, Michigan caught a new state-record gizzard shad weighing 4.45 pounds on the Grand River in April. The fish surpassed the previous record of 4.12 pounds set in 1996 on Lake St. Clair and was verified by DNR fisheries biologist Matt Diana.
GRITR Outdoors is offering a limited-time discount on select Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) spinning, casting, and fly fishing rods through May 31 on GRITROutdoors.com. TFO rods are engineered for high-performance fishing with sophisticated designs and backed by a full lifetime warranty.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the 2026 paddlefish snagging season will close Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Central time. A snag-and-release extended season will follow May 9-15, allowing anglers with unused tags to participate but requiring immediate fish release.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary proposals for 2027-28 fishing regulations. FWP will host a public meeting in Bozeman on May 19 at 6 p.m. at their office to present proposed changes, answer questions, and collect angler feedback through May 31.
A family fishing trip makes a perfect Mother's Day celebration. Use Massachusetts' Go Fish MA interactive map to find scenic fishing locations, prepare gear in advance, purchase a fishing license as a gift, and plan extra activities like nature walks to create memorable outdoor adventures together.
Join law enforcement officers from local, county, and state departments for an evening fishing program on the Detroit River at Milliken State Park on May 13, hosted by the Outdoor Adventure Center. All equipment provided; participants 17+ need a fishing license. Preregistration required; $5 per family.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks closed vehicle access to the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts Fishing Access Site due to unsafe road conditions from dike sloughing. Walk-in access remains available, with the closure effective April 30 and expected to lift in a few weeks pending repairs.
Vermont's spring catch-and-release bass fishing season is underway through June 13, featuring excellent angling opportunities as largemouth and smallmouth bass feed in warming waters. State fisheries biologists Bernie Pientka and Shawn Good highlight that pre-spawn bass fishing provides outstanding opportunities with minimal impact on spawning success, with anglers required to use only artificial lures.
Montana paddlefish anglers now have new tagging options including paper tags and e-tags, mirroring big game tag requirements. Mandatory reporting varies by tag area with specific timeframes and methods through phone hotline, myfwp.mt.gov, or onsite check stations.
The fifth annual North Dakota Fish Challenge invites anglers to explore North Dakota's fisheries through multiple challenges, including the new 100 Fish Challenge, Total Catch Challenge, Rough Fish Challenge, Sportfish Challenge, and inaugural Classic Challenge. Participants submit photos through the North Dakota Game and Fish website by August 15 to receive a decal and certificate.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for 2027–2028 at a public meeting May 11 at Billings Public Library. Comments can be submitted online or by mail through May 31.
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.