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Fishing

Fishing
Office of External Affairs

TheU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers an abundance of fishing opportunities.The National Wildlife Refuge System managesover 270 National Wildlife Refuge FishingPrograms that include everything from saltwater fishing to using ice tipups on high elevation lakes.You can learn more about refuge fishing opportunities by reviewing Your Guide to Fishing on National Wildlife Refuges as well as the Refuge System's Fishing page. In addition, the National Fish Hatchery System offers fishing opportunities at or near many hatcheries.

Fishing generates tremendous economic benefit through taxes on fishing equipment. These revenues are paid by anglers, distributed by the Service and spent by State resource agencies on aquatic habitat enhancement, fishing and boating access, education, and invasive species eradication.
Every 5 years the Service sponsors the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. In 2001, the survey found that:
over 34 million people fished;

approximately 28.4 million anglers enjoyed freshwater fishing while 9.1 enjoyed saltwater
fishing

anglers fished 16 days, on average, and spent an average of $1,046 on their sport;

overall, anglers spent $14.7 billion on fishing trips in 2001 and $17 billion on equipment

The next National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation will be completed in 2007. It is abundantly clear that fishing has, and continues to have, an incredible influence on managing for clean water, healthy aquatic habitats, healthy fisheries populations, and abundant and quality angling opportunities. We encourage you to spend some time on the water enticing the fish that inhabit the watershed that you live in.
 

Photos
Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service

 
You're invited to
go fishing on many of the lands and waters managed by the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, and to get answers to two of the most common questions
we are asked:
Fishing Links
News Releases About Hunting
and Fishing Licenses Statistics Since 1975
Where Can I Go Fishing on a National Wildlife
Refuge?
What Is the National
Fish Hatchery System?
Questions? Please try our Search Engine and check
out the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's), before you contact
us

Last updated:
December 12, 2007
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