Get hooked on your next adventure

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of reeling one in. Sun-shining, cool breeze on your face, the excitement of feeling the line tug, and the delicate art of reeling in your prize.

Whether it’s trout or bass, or if you’re like me, a teeny tiny sunfish (if you’re lucky), fishing is more than just a pastime. It’s spending quality time with family and friends, getting away from our ever present devices, and connecting with nature.

Whether you’re a rookie or a coach, you need a spot to cast your line, a dock to stand on or a boat to launch.

Or maybe fishing isn’t your thing, and you’d rather enjoy your local pond, lake, or saltwater via kayak, canoe, motorboat, or even a sailboat or yacht.

It’s National Fish and Boating week, seven days filled with free fishing days – where you can fish without a license – kid’s fishing derbies, and how-to demonstrations.

Perhaps you’re new to it all and just wondering where to get started. Fortunately, finding a spot to do so will be the least of your worries.

Across the region, public access to recreational boating and fishing is increasing. Thanks to efforts by the Service, state wildlife agencies and other partners, more boat ramps, fishing platforms, trails, and other outdoor recreation opportunities are cropping up.

There are over 1,600 boat ramps throughout the northeast region and each year, between 5 and 10 new boating and fishing access areas are constructed. These projects are funded and maintained through Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program, the granting arm of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Though grants like the Sportfish Restoration Act, Clean Vessel Act, and the Boating Infrastructure Program might sound technical, but they are important tools that allow state agencies to provide fishing and boating access to the public.

So where does the money come from?

The program is funded by fishing manufacturers, along with boaters, and sportsmen and women, through taxes on the sale of fishing tackle and boat fuels.

However, its benefits reach far beyond the the boating and fishing communities.

In its 75 year partnership with state and local agencies, this program has contributed more than $14 billion for fish and wildlife conservation and public access to the lands and waters that support fish and wildlife, making it the most successful conservation program in U.S. history.

A stream restoration project

Brook trout

Paddlers at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

And it doesn’t end there. In addition to fishing and boating access, Sport Fish Restoration funds are used to conduct fish research, reintroduce declining sport fish species, restore wildlife habitat, and provide education about aquatic resources.

If this all sounds awesome, but you’re still wondering where and how to get started, you’re reading this at just the right time. Visit us at https://www.fws.gov/fishing/ for everything you need to know before you start your adventure.

National Fishing and Boating Week: We go together like restoration and recreation

This weekend wraps up National Fishing and Boating week, an annual week-long celebration that reminds us to get outside, say goodbye to stress and hello to quality time with friends and family.

Some of my fondest family memories revolve around fishing and boating, from reeling in a sunfish the size of my palm at the pond with my grandfather, to struggling with a 27-inch red drum in the Pamlico sound.

Many broke out their rods, baited a hook, and enjoyed some of the events this week had to offer such as free fishing days – where you can fish without a license – kid’s fishing derbies, and how-to demonstrations.

Across the region, public access to recreational boating and fishing is increasing. Thanks to efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies and other partners, more boat ramps, fishing platforms, trails, and other outdoor recreation opportunities are cropping up.

How’s that exactly? I’ll walk you through some interesting examples—where projects were funded by parties responsible for polluting natural resources. These projects come at no cost to the taxpayer.

When hazardous substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are released into the environment, they can cause injury to fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The Department of Interior and state, tribal, and federal partners act as “trustees” for these resources. Under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program, Trustees recover damages from responsible parties and then plan and implement projects to restore natural resources.

Projects focus on restoring injured natural resources and the public’s ability to enjoy those natural resources. These projects do as much for people as they do for wildlife and fish by restoring important habitat, improving water quality, revitalizing native plant species, and more. Some species that have benefited from these projects include the Roanoke logperch and bog turtle.

Check out these exciting projects from across the region:

Young’s Field Park River Trail, New Milford, CT

To compensate for PCBs released into the Housatonic River, a variety of restoration efforts are underway within the watershed. The trustees and the Town of New Milford worked together to revitalize a roadside along the Housatonic River by removing parking areas, planting native vegetation, restoring riparian areas, and constructing a new trail, fishing platform, and boat launch.

Community partners like the New Milford River Trail Organization helped to make this project a reality. The inaugural celebration of the new Young’s Field Riverwalk is planned for Saturday, June 17, from 3-5 pm. A formal dedication by Mayor David Gronbach will be accompanied by a parade, paddling flotilla, fishing demonstrations and much more!

Riverine Habitat Restoration along the Salmon Kill, Salisbury, CT

This project, designed and implemented by partner Trout Unlimited, improved cold water fisheries habitat in the Salmon Kill watershed. By engaging landowners and locals alike, the restoration of this site has enhanced conservation and enhanced the recreational fishery in Salisbury.

Fish habitat has been improved by riparian restoration, native plantings, stream bank stabilization and more.

Photos for this project courtesy of Trout Unlimited

North Fork Roanoke River Restoration – Blacksburg Country Club, Blacksburg, VA

Completed in 2015, though monitored on an ongoing basis, the North Fork Roanoke River projects restored a half mile of river and two riverside acres (i.e., riparian buffer zone). Check out how much the riverfront has improved. The Blacksburg Country Club continues to add value to this restoration.

This area will serve as important habitat for Roanoke logperch, a fish that was impacted by the contamination at this site.

Beacon Falls Access Project Beacon Falls, CT

The expansion and improvement of the Riverbend Park along the Naugatuck River was completed in April as part of the Housatonic River restoration effort. The park was expanded by three acres, including 1,000 feet of riverfront, and other enhancements include 2,200 feet of walkways, low impact lighting and a new boat ramp.

Halfway River Fishing Access Site, Newtown, CT

Partners from the Trust for Public Land and the Housatonic River Trustees aided the town in completing this project. This 13-acre site includes a scenic trail that winds through the forest and rocky outcrops, and provides access to the Halfway River, a pristine trout stream that feeds into the Housatonic River.

Click here for more information.

Cops and Bobbers: Partnering with police for community and fishing!

Chelsea DiAntonio is a wildlife refuge specialist at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. Photo credit: USFWS

It’s National Fishing and Boating week, and today we are showcasing a partnership that merges cops, communities and fishing. Chelsea DiAntonio of the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey shares with us this inspiring story of how one city police department is taking an active role in making positive connections with its young citizens through fishing and connecting families with the natural world around them.  

 

When a city police department decides to hold a youth fishing derby, you can expect a great time and a fun play on words. The “Cops and Bobbers” fishing event was organized by the City of Garfield Police Department in Garfield, New Jersey, with the intent to foster positive relationships with families and young people throughout their community. One important goal of holding these community events is to deter kids from turning to the streets, getting involved with gangs, or partaking in illegal activities.

Members of the City of Garfield Police Department manage a busy registration tent. Photo Credit: USFWS

And what better way for a community to come together in a positive way then through fishing! Thus, the creation of the “Cops and Bobbers” family fishing event!

The city of Garfield is located within a mosaic of urban communities in northern New Jersey, just a few miles from Manhattan. The number of outdoor recreational areas available for families to use is minimal. But one of the few remaining community parks happens to be located just next to the police headquarters. In the middle of Dahnerts Lake Park is a nice size lake with trout stocked by the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife. While many residents take advantage of the park to play, the lake is under-utilized.

Dave Miller from The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge hands a young angler a bobber. Photo credit: USFWS

Since the Garfield Police Department had never run a fishing derby before they turned to the knowledgeable employees from the Great Swamp and Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuges for assistance. Refuge staff were well equipped for the event, bringing along hooks, bobbers, and other fishing supplies to help the young anglers. And as an added bonus, the police department brought fishing poles to be given away to the first 150 participants. The grand prize of the day was a kayak that went to one lucky angler who landed the largest trout.

A popular spot to fish was from the gazebo in the middle of Danhert’s Lake. Photo credit: USFWS

There’s no doubt that Garfield Police Department went above and beyond to outfit their young community members with all of the tools needed to get fishing!  Now, thanks to the Cops and Bobbers program, maybe more residents will use the lake for fishing.

George Molnar of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge helps unhook a catfish. Photo credit: USFWS

All the refuge staff look forward to growing the partnership with the Garfield Police Department and helping with future events.  Travelling to these communities and working with urban audiences and partners such as the Garfield Police Department, present a good foundation to build new connections. Adding a fun, interactive activity such as fishing helps the cause all the better, with hopes that the younger generation fosters a stronger appreciation of the natural world.

Learn more about National Fishing and Boating Week.

Find a place to fish and boat near you.

Visit Wallkill River and Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuges

Take Me Fishing

Learn more about the Cops and Kids Foundation.