NASHVILLE — The winter trout stocking program of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency continues to see growth. TWRA plans to release more than 88,000 rainbow trout into Tennessee waters from December through March.

The program provides numerous close to home trout fishing opportunities for Middle and West Tennessee anglers during the winter months. These fisheries also provide a great opportunity to introduce children or first-time anglers to fishing. The program is continuing its expansion this year.

“We are excited to add three new sites this year with Edmund-Orgill Park in Millington, Shelby Farms in Memphis, and McCutcheon Creek in Spring Hill,” said Jason Henegar of the TWRA Fisheries Division. “This brings us to a total of 34 sites. This program will provide anglers that normally have to travel to fish for trout an opportunity to catch and harvest them close to home.”

The trout will average about 10 inches in length. The daily creel limit is seven, but there is no size limit.

TWRA has announced a list of locations to receive stockings in this year’s program. Please note that the dates and locations are subject to change. Updates can be found by clicking here.

News release courtesy Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota anglers are beginning to venture onto newly formed ice in pursuit of their favorite fish. While it’s well known that early winter fishing can be very productive, anglers should be very cautious when seeking their favorite fishing spots.

“Ice fishermen like to get out on the ice as soon as they can,” said Brandon Gust, state Game, Fish and Parks Department law enforcement specialist. “Many anglers will test the ice with an auger or an ice chisel close to the shore to make sure the ice is safe. Even though the ice might be four inches thick near the shore, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a uniform thickness across the whole lake. Over the years, we’ve found that water movement, vegetation and snow cover will cause ice thicknesses to be extremely variable, especially during the early part of the season.” Read the rest…

OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to consider restrictions on the use of lead fishing tackle at 13 lakes with nesting loons during a meeting scheduled Dec. 2-4 in Olympia.

In addition, the commission will hold public hearings on changes to Puget Sound crab fishing regulations, management alternatives for bottomfish in Catch Area 4B (western Strait of Juan de Fuca), and several other proposed changes to sportfishing rules in Washington.

The commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. in Room 175 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E. On Dec. 3-4, the commission will meet in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 3 and at 8 a.m. on Dec. 4.
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The last shipment of steelhead of the year, slated for the Boise River, has been cancelled because of weather.

The shipment was delayed yesterday while Idaho Fish and Game officials assessed weather and road conditions. But continued hazardous driving conditions have forced officials to cancel the last load of steelhead bound for the Boise River. The fish were to arrive Thursday, December 2.

Fish and Game already has planted about 1,000 steelhead to the Boise this fall from Idaho Power Co.’s Oxbow hatchery, operated by the department.

News release courtesy Idaho Fish and Game Department

New youth hunting and/or fishing licenses available Dec. 15

PRATT — Beginning Dec. 15, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will offer a resident multi-year youth hunting and/or fishing license, providing convenience and saving money for young hunters and anglers. The new youth licenses will be available for resident youth age 16 through 20. After purchasing the multi-year license, no hunting or fishing license will have to be purchased until the person turns age 21. The one-time purchase, multi-year youth fishing or hunting license is $40. A one-time purchase multi-year youth fishing/hunting combination license is $70.

KDWP Secretary Mike Hayden believes the new youth license will encourage young hunters and anglers — and their parents — to get outside and enjoy what Kansas has to offer. “Hunting or fishing with a son or daughter is a wonderful way to build memories and spend time together as these skills are passed from generation-to-generation,” Hayden said.

All resident hunters and anglers age 16-64 must purchase an annual hunting, fishing, or combination license, so the new multi-year license is a great bargain. The cost of an annual resident hunting or fishing license is $20.50. The annual resident combination license is $38.50. Resident youth will save $62.50 if they purchase the multi-year fishing or hunting license when they turn 16. A 16-year-old will save $122.50 if they buy the multi-year combination license.

In addition to these licenses, all 2011 licenses and permits go on sale Dec. 15 and are valid for the remainder of 2010 and all of 2011. Online license and permit sales are available at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, under “License/Permits” at the top of the home page. Licenses and permits may also be purchased over-the-counter at sporting-good stores.

News release courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

LA CUEVA — License-free fishing, archery and air rifle shooting are among activities scheduled Saturday, Sept. 25, at Fenton Lake State Park as the Department of Game and Fish and New Mexico State Parks celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with a day of family fun.

National Hunting and Fishing Day also is a free fishing day in New Mexico, a special day when all anglers — residents and nonresidents of all ages — can fish without a license at public waters statewide. All other fishing rules apply.

Sept. 25 activities at Fenton Lake will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include free archery and air rifle shooting, fishing instruction, fly tying, aquatics education and more. Participants will be eligible for drawings for outdoor sports prizes. The state park charges a $5 per vehicle day-use fee. Walk-in entry is free.
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SANTA FE — Beginning Monday, Sept. 13, anglers will be allowed to catch and keep unlimited numbers of fish from Cowles Ponds in upper Pecos Canyon as the U.S. Forest Service prepares to dredge the ponds to improve fishing.

The Department of Game and Fish issued the official emergency salvage order, which will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 19, 2010. At that time, the Forest Service will close the two ponds so dredging work can begin.

Tackle regulations also will be suspended during the salvage period. Fish can be removed from the ponds with nets, spears or by other methods, although swimming at the ponds is prohibited. The smaller of the two ponds will continue to be open only to handicapped anglers and children younger than age 12. Anglers ages 12 and older are required to have a state fishing license.

For more information about the salvage order and New Mexico fishing regulations and angling opportunities, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us  or call (505) 476-8000.

News release courtesy New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Columbia River ecosystem and its primitive inhabitant, the sturgeon, will be honored here Saturday, Sept. 18 at the 14th Annual Sturgeon Festival.

The free, one-day festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way in Vancouver. The festival is hosted by the City of Vancouver, with participation by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The popular event includes entertaining and educational activities for all ages. Special events include Portland Audubon Birds of Prey, Creature Feature Reptile Zoo, and Eartha the Ecological Clown.

The fun and interactive “Scene a sturgeon lately?” photo contest will be judged the day of the event. Entries must be turned in to the WREC by Friday, Sept. 17. Details about the contest can be obtained at http://www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter.asp.

In addition, teens and adults will have an opportunity to learn about composting, recycling, water safety, watershed stewardship, and sturgeon anatomy. They will also have a chance to discuss environmental issues and career opportunities with staff from natural resource agencies and environmental organizations.

The sturgeon, prevalent in the Columbia River, is a primitive fish that has not changed substantially since it emerged in the Jurassic period. Sturgeon are a long-lived species, reaching 5 to 6 feet in length by the age of maturity. A few sturgeon in the Columbia River have been verified to be over 100 years old.

News release courtesy Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Get your catfish tackle ready because 30,000 whiskered transplants from Arkansas will be heading to our fun-to-fish urban fishing lakes starting in late September.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will resume stocking channel catfish at 16 Phoenix area and four Tucson area Urban Fishing Program lakes during the week of Sept. 20-25.  Stocked catfish average 16-18 inches, with some 3 to 5 pounders included.

Catfish stockings for the urban lakes are suspended during the hot days of summer.

“During the fall season, we’ll have a total of four catfish stockings totaling about 30,000 channel catfish being delivered to urban lakes every two weeks. After that, our fish stockings switch over to rainbow trout in mid November,” said Eric Swanson, the urban fishing program manager.

Remember, you do need the special urban fishing license to fish in these lakes, but youngsters under age 14 fish for free. “Kids fish free is our year-round special in all Arizona’s public waters, so be sure to take your youngsters fishing,” Swanson said.

News release courtesy Arizona Game and Fish Department

Lake partially open to activities; blue-green algae bloom subsided

MEADE — On Sept. 10, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Secretary Mike Hayden rescinded previous orders restricting water use at Meade State Fishing Lake. Fishing is now allowed at the lake. Swimming is still prohibited until further notice.

In July, KDWP officials recognized the increasing blue-green algae blooms and voluntarily closed the lake. A few days later, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a public health advisory after confirming a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the lake, which led to the order banning lake use. Concentrations of algae in the reservoir had exceeded the World Health Organization recommended safe levels for recreational water use.

News release courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks