Anglers Fear Anti-Cruelty Laws Will Be Extended to Include Fishing

Scottish anglers are concerned their sport may be criminalized after the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission recommended extending anti-cruelty laws to include fishing activities. The commission argues that fish are sentient beings deserving the same legal protection as other animals, potentially outlawing practices like hooking fish, removing them from water, and catch-and-release fishing, which the report describes as particularly harmful despite being encouraged for conservation.

American Rivers Where Fly Fishing Beats Bait Fishing Every Time

A slideshow featuring American rivers where fly fishing techniques are more effective than traditional bait fishing methods.

NOAA Cuts Threaten Critical Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Work

Recent cuts to NOAA have conservationists and scientists worried about Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead populations. Budget cuts and staffing reductions are disrupting habitat restoration work, and the potential elimination of the agency's fisheries division threatens dam removal projects and conservation funding.

Rising PGA Tour Star Talks About the Correlation Between Golf and Fly Fishing

PGA Tour rising star Neil Shipley discusses the parallels between golf and fly fishing, explaining how both require patience and research, noting that "you can put in a lot of work into what you're doing, but it doesn't always pay off" in both sports.

New WDFW Research Finds Link Between Coastal Steelhead Survival, Changing Ocean Conditions

NOAA research shows dramatically less productive nearshore ocean conditions in 2024, with the lowest prey biomass index observed in the time series and poor ichthyoplankton community scores related to steelhead survival. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife scientists studied coastal steelhead survival patterns related to changing marine environments.

Oregon Troopers Looking For Info On Wild Steelhead Killed, Wasted On North Umpqua

Oregon State Police are seeking information about the unlawful take and waste of a wild steelhead at John P. Amacher Park on the North Umpqua River. The suspects, described as a father and son driving a gray or silver SUV, fled the scene before the fish was found stashed in bushes.

California Hatchery Vital for Steelhead Conservation to Close, Final Release Set for June

California's Mad River Fish Hatchery will permanently close in June 2025 after 55 years of operation. The closure is due to aging infrastructure requiring $40 million in repairs, strict federal regulations limiting production to 150,000 steelhead annually, and a $730,000 annual budget that would need an additional $1 million to continue operations.

Lawsuit Challenges State's Endangered Listing of Steelhead Trout

United Water Conservation District has filed a lawsuit challenging the California Fish and Game Commission's 2022 endangered listing of Southern California Steelhead trout. The district claims the designation violated court orders and threatened water supply operations by duplicating federal processes.

Don't Drink & Fish, Says Beer Brand Selling $540 Drunk, Drowning Fisherman Lure

Carlsberg beer company launched a safety campaign against drinking while fishing, creating the "Drunken Bait" fishing lure that resembles a drunk person at the bottom of a lake. The $540 lure, made by renowned builder Claes Claesson, serves as a visual warning about the dangers of drunk fishing, with proceeds going to fish conservation and Swedish Red Cross water projects.

Fly Fishing In Small Streams in the White Mountains

Award-winning outdoor writer George Liset explores the challenges and rewards of fishing for native brook trout in New Hampshire's White Mountain streams.