Public Use & Recreational Fisheries

The Fisheries Program has a long history of providing scientific information and services that benefit recreational fisheries on Service lands, on tribal and military lands, and on other waters where the Service has a federal role. Today, an estimated 35 million American anglers generate approximately $70 billion in economic outputs, and about 1,600,000 people visit our National Fish Hatcheries each year. The Southwest Regional Fisheries Program will continue its contributions toward meeting the public’s interest in fisheries conservation and quality angling experiences.

About the Photo:

Angling Opportunities for Gila Trout in New Mexico

Four hundred ninety-five Gila trout were stocked into the mainstem Gila River and Sapillo Creek in New Mexico, helping to establish and a maintain a recreational Gila trout fishery for the first time in nearly 50 years. Gila trout used in these stockings were reared at Mora NFH, and were produced in excess of recovery needs. The species was downlisted to threatened in 2006, which allowed for the Service and state of New Mexico to create unique sportfishing opportunities found no where else in the world.