The Service has a long tradition of providing opportunities for public enjoyment of aquatic resources through recreational fishing, habitat restoration, and education programs and through mitigating impacts of Federal water projects. As the population in the United States continues to grow, the potential for adverse impacts on aquatic resources, including habitat will increase. At the same time, demands for responsible, quality recreational fishing experiences will also increase.
Our goal is to provide quality opportunities for responsible fishing and other related recreational enjoyment of aquatic resources on Service lands, on Tribal and military lands, and on other waters where the Service has a role. This is accomplished by working with the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Fish Hatcheries, and the Department of Defense to enhance fishing opportunities for the public on federal lands, and by providing hatchery fish and technical asssitance in support of recreational fishing and outreach activities.
In the Great Lakes and Big Rivers Region we celebrate the abundance of aquatic resources. Some examples of contributions to recreational use are listed below:
Native sportfish restoration in Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior - Lake trout and brook trout are raised for restoration in the upper Great Lakes. Most naturally reproducing stocks of lake trout diminished to nothing in the mid-1990s in Lakes Huron and Michigan because of overfishing and predation by the sea lamprey, a blood and body fluid feeding aquatic nuisance fish. Today, almost any lake trout you catch is a direct product from our National Fish Hatchery System. We are even conducting a study to determine what size of fish provides for the best quality and survival after stocking. Lake run or "coaster" brook trout that reached large sizes and were prized by sport fishermen were once a staple of Lake Superior and other areas of the Great Lakes. We are currently raising brook trout from wild Lake Superior origin in National Fish Hatcheries for stocking to restore this native species.
Sea Lamprey management benefits the economy and ecology of the Great Lakes. The sea lamprey can kill up to 20 lbs. of fish over 6-12 months of its 5-20 year life cycle. It shares habitat with salmon and trout in the cold, deep waters of the Great Lakes and has the largest impact on these valuable sport species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been controlling the sea lamprey since the 1960s and has reduced their populations by 90% of pre-control levels. Our efforts have directly benefitted sport fishing and the economy of the Great Lakes, which is driven in large part by sport fishing and recreation. Sea lamprey are here to stay and spawn in 433 rivers and streams along the Great Lakes - each female laying up to 60,000 eggs each. We will continue to control sea lamprey to preserve the fishery into the future.
Educational programs benefit schools, environmental conservation groups, and the general public. Education and understanding are oftentimes the key to further enjoyment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fosters the simple wonder of fish and other aquatic species by educating the youth and people of all ages about these animals that live in another world. Oftentimes people don't see a variety of fish, mussels, or other organisms unless they are fishermen or naturalists. Education about the unique qualities of different species and their role in the aquatic ecosystem is valuable to provide an appreciation for this part of our environment. We staff outdoor festivals and events and provide brochures, posters, and other hands on materials- as well as actual live or preserved fish specimens. VIEW the Region 3 poster presentation on Fisheries Outreach for Local Youth Groups (pdf, 196 Kb). Get the Free Adobe Reader required to view pdf files.
Events provide fishing opportunities and encourage fishing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts events to provide fishing opportunities and to teach kids to fish on National Fishing Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day. For more information check out our calendar of events or contact your local fishery office or refuge.
Aquatic nuisance species managment protects native fish communities and their habitats. Aquatic nuisance species are non-native species that usually are accidentally released into an area and become established. They usually are a nuisance because they displace a native species through competition for food or habitat. Or sometimes they are a nuisance in and of themselves. We have been working to prevent the spread of asian carp, escaped from the aquaculture industry into the Mississippi River drainage, from entering the Great Lakes where it could harm the balance of the fish community. The carp are large fish (50-100 lbs.) that feed on plankton- a food staple for juvenile fish. They also jump out of the water - even in excess of 6 feet- and can be a hazard to boaters. Other aquatic nuisance species we are monitor and controlling include the sea lamprey (mentioned above), round goby, Eurasian ruffe, and zebra mussels.
Aquatic habitat restoration provided by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program benefits aquatic species and the private land owner desiring to encourage aquatic areas on their property. The program allows private land owners to and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to foster aquatic areas and restore wetland areas for fish and wildlife use.
Fish passage restoration allowd access to spawning and nursery areas. Many river-running fish that benefit from the Fish Passage Program are also sport fish including brook trout, walleye, and chinook salmon.
- Fishery management assistance provided to Native Americans, National Wildlife Refuges, and other federal lands. Efforts to improve fishery habitat and encourage healthy fish communities on federal lands benefit the fishery and fishing overall.
Wild fish health surveys identify pathogens that may threaten our wild fish. We examine wild fish for disease agents and overall health in an effort to identify problems before they become an outbreak that has longer lasting and more widespread effects.
- Partnership, volunteering, and job opportunities provided to meet interest in natural resources
Link to more information:
Department of InteriorU.S. Fish and WildlifeUSA.gov
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