Fishing

October 17, 2007 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci learned today that the federal government has reconsidered a decision to impose temporary restrictions on the type of equipment used by Maine lobstermen in Washington County.    » read more »

October 15, 2007 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today sent a letter to Dr. William Hogarth, Director of Fisheries at the National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries). The letter responds to a recent decision by the federal office that establishes a Dynamic Area Management (DAM) zone in the area of many Washington County fisheries. The impact of the federal decision would be to force lobstermen to use sinking ground line to protect large whales in the area.    » read more »

Trout to be stocked at 36 locations

September 24, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood announced today that the 2007 Illinois fall trout fishing season opens on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 36 ponds and lakes throughout the state.

“Autumn is a great time of year for fishing, and veteran anglers, novices, and family members of all ages can have a great time catching trout thanks to our catchable trout program,” said Flood.    » read more »

Sep 22, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – In honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Senator John Edwards today released the following statement:

"Today, Elizabeth and I join with many Americans in recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day and the time-honored traditions and sporting values that this day highlights.

"We proudly support the great contributions that outdoor men and women have made and continue to make in conservation efforts and the incredible economic benefits generated all across America by their passion.    » read more »

23 September 2007 -- Officials in Bangladesh say more than 100 fisherman are missing after a severe storm hit the country's southern coast.

Authorities in the coastal Barguna district said Saturday the men were aboard at least 12 fishing boats in the Bay of Bengal when the unexpected storm brought high winds and strong waves.

Surviving fishermen said they witnessed several boats sink. About 50 fishermen managed to swim ashore or were rescued by other trawlers.

Maritime officials say coast guard patrol boats are continuing their search for the missing vessels and crew members.    » read more »

Festivals planned for Silver Springs SFWA, John A. Logan College

September 17, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois will celebrate the annual National Hunting and Fishing Days September 22-23 with two festival events. The Northern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event will be held at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area near Yorkville and the Southern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event will be at John A. Logan College in Carterville.    » read more »

IDNR Works With Illinois Commercial Fishing Association To Protect Paddlefish, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Bowfin

August 30, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD, IL – Several changes in the regulations regarding the commercial harvest of caviar-bearing fishes in Illinois have been adopted effective Oct. 1, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood announced today.    » read more »

8/21/2007 -- (HELENA) - Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced new members of the Private Lands and Public Wildlife Council. "Our hunting and fishing opportunities are part of what makes our state such a great place to live," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "This council works with outfitters, sportspersons and landowners to reach consensus on outdoor issues important to Montanans."    » read more »

August 20, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Gina McCarthy today announced a landmark federal court ruling that effectively stops the proposed Islander East natural gas pipeline project.

The U.S. District Court in Bridgeport set aside a U.S. Secretary of Commerce decision - calling it "arbitrary and capricious" - that overruled Connecticut's objection to the proposed Islander East pipeline for failing to comply with the state's coastal zone management plan.    » read more »

August 14, 2007 -- (BOISE) – Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced the appointment today of former Clearwater National Forest Supervisor Fred Trevey (TREE’-vee) of Lewiston to the Region 2 position on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.

Now retired from the U.S. Forest Service and working as a private consultant, Trevey succeeds Alex Irby of Orofino on the seven-member commission. Irby’s term expired June 30.    » read more »

Another S.F. Bay-Delta Fish Population Plummets to Record Low Numbers

San Francisco –The Bay Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and Natural Resources Defense Council today petitioned for state and federal endangered species protection for the longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), a fish that has dropped to record low numbers in the San Francisco Bay-Delta and is nearing extinction in other northern California estuaries. The groups simultaneously asked the U. S.    » read more »

Striped bass caught at Pleasant shatters state record

Aug 8, 2007 -- PHOENIX – Noel Arnold of Wittmann was fishing at Lake Pleasant and decided to try a water dog in the wee hours of the morning on Aug. 8, and caught a new inland state record striped bass weighing 27.28 pounds and measuring 42.25 inches long.

In fact, Arnold was planning to catch just one more fish before catching some sleep so he meet his dad in the morning to fish for largemouth bass at first light. He ended up not getting any sleep. But he doesn’t mind.    » read more »

Pro-Am set for Nov. 1, Dates for Pro Tournament will be announced soon

July 3, 2007 -- LAKE LANIER ISLANDS, Georgia – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) this morning announced that initial planning has begun to bring a professional bass fishing tournament to Georgia’s Lake Lanier Islands. Called the Go Fish Georgia Professional Anglers Association Championship, the tournament is expected to draw the top bass anglers in the country.    » read more »

June 28, 2007 -- [WASHINGTON, DC] – In light of FDA’s announcement today to ban five species of fish imported from China, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) sent a letter urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach; the Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Johanns and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt to establish a food safety Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and China. An MOU is a legal document describing a bilateral agreement between parties.    » read more »

Portland, Maine -- June 20, 2007 -- The Herring Alliance, a newly-established coalition of conservation groups led by The Pew Charitable Trusts, backed New England's traditional commercial and recreational fishermen today with the launch of a campaign for major reforms on how, when and where Atlantic herring are caught. Fishermen and conservationists alike consider herring to be "New England's most important fish" for the role it plays in the marine food web, supporting everything from recreational and commercial fishing, to the lobster industry and even whale watching.    » read more »