Public lands are crucial for productive fishing and hunting, offering some of the best habitats for wildlife, especially in the West. Healthy, protected habitats help sustain the species we love to fish for, like trout, whose populations are at risk due to habitat loss. As anglers, we have a vested interest in preserving these lands, which is why laws protecting national monuments and public lands are vital.

The South Florida Water Management District gave the green light for this controversial project, which is being sold as a "water resources" project, but let’s be real—this mine is more about making a quick buck off crushed limestone than restoring the Everglades. What’s worse? The same companies behind the mine, like U.S. Sugar, are suing the Everglades Restoration project that’s already doing real work to protect our waters.

As Florida gears up for its 2025 legislative session, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) is working closely with Governor DeSantis and state legislators to secure funding and programs that will enhance water quality and fish habitats along the state’s coastlines. With the Everglades being key to Florida’s world-class fisheries, BTT is pushing for strong funding to continue Everglades restoration and water quality projects to protect coastal ecosystems and improve fishing conditions.

The Ruby Mountains in Nevada are a fly fisher’s dream, offering pristine streams, high alpine lakes, and an impressive snowpack. With stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, including the prized Lahontan cutthroat trout, it's no wonder anglers from all over the West make the trek to fish these iconic waters.

As a freshwater ecologist and hardcore fly angler, Frank sees the good, the bad, and the downright ugly when it comes to Germany’s rivers. He spends his days studying fish, fighting for conservation, and sneaking in a cast whenever he can. But it’s not all smooth sailing—between habitat loss, tricky fishing laws, and limited access, fly fishing in Germany is a whole different ballgame.

The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is leading the charge in restoring the vital Colorado River through innovative low-tech, nature-based restoration methods. Their efforts are headed by a team of passionate environmental stewards dedicated to improving forest and watershed health, with a special focus on reconnecting streams to their historical floodplains. Supported by the Walton Family Foundation, NFF is pushing forward with techniques like Zuni bowls, Zeedyk structures, and beaver dam analogs, all aimed at letting nature restore itself. These projects are crucial in ensuring the river’s health and sustaining the vital lifeline for millions across the West.

A recent study highlights the connection between Lake Okeechobee discharges and the duration of red tide blooms in southwest Florida. Learn how reducing nutrient-heavy runoff can protect marine life, improve water quality, and support the local economy.

The Eel River is getting a much-needed revival! After over a century of water battles that left its legendary salmon and steelhead runs struggling, a new agreement is paving the way for recovery. With PG&E removing the Potter Valley Project’s dams, fish will finally regain access to prime spawning grounds.

It looks like there’s some good news coming out of the Florida Keys: the mysterious "spinning fish" phenomenon seems to be on the decline this winter. This strange behavior, where fish lose balance and swim erratically, had been affecting over 80 species, including the endangered smalltooth sawfish. While the reports are fewer this year, scientists and researchers are still deep into figuring out the cause, and a big research push is underway with a hefty $1.75 million in funding.

With over .85 million in grants from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the NCCP is tackling priority restoration projects that will open up more habitat, improve fish passage, and boost struggling salmon populations. That’s great news for the fish, but it’s also a win for the community—this work supports at least 75 local jobs, from foresters to construction crews, proving that conservation isn’t just about fish; it’s about people, too.

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) is set to induct two legends of the flats fishing world into its Circle of Honor on April 10, 2025, at the 12th Annual Florida Keys Dinner at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida. Captain Tim Carlile, a Florida Keys guiding icon, and Dr. Roy Crabtree, a leading fisheries scientist, will be recognized for their immense contributions to conservation and the sport of fly fishing.

In a significant move on January 7, 2025, Washington state officially banned open net pen aquaculture in its waters, joining California and Alaska in protecting marine ecosystems. Open net pens, a controversial method of farming fish like Atlantic salmon, have been linked to a range of environmental issues, including fish escapes, habitat destruction, and the spread of disease. One infamous incident in 2017 saw 250,000 salmon escape from a collapsed net, highlighting the risks of this industry.

Big news for anglers and conservationists alike—Trout Unlimited (TU) and partners have landed over 7 million in federal funding for conservation efforts across the Upper Colorado River Basin. This funding, part of a 8.3 million dollar  initiative from the Bureau of Reclamation, will support crucial river projects in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming.

Fall in Idaho and Montana marks a key time for migratory bull trout as they make their way through mountain lakes, rivers, and streams in search of cold, clean water to spawn. This iconic species is at the heart of conservation efforts, with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) working hard to protect them for future generations.

In late 2020, New York state halted stocking on Mongaup Creek, officially designating it as wild trout water. This was a key step in boosting the health of the creek's fishery, which already boasted a thriving population of wild brook trout. The latest restoration project, which involved the removal of a dam near the creek’s entry to Willowemoc Creek, has taken things even further. This dam removal opens up over 15 miles of prime trout habitat, significantly enhancing the wild fishery.

Research from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) has shown that young tarpon and snook take advantage of storm surges to reach remote, semi-landlocked ponds. These ponds offer protection from larger predators like sharks and adult snook, allowing these juveniles to grow in a safer environment. Due to their ability to survive in low-oxygen waters, they are well-equipped to flourish until the next storm surge, when they can move to new habitats.

The removal of the Klamath River dams has led to a new era for salmon and steelhead, after years of restoration efforts, the fish are finally returning to their native habitats for the spawn.. This monumental moment in conservation was confirmed in August when the last barriers were taken down, and the first fall-run Chinook swam past the former Iron Gate dam site.

If you love chasing bonefish in the Bahamas, here’s some good news—Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) and its partners just hit a major milestone: planting the 100,000th mangrove seedling since Hurricane Dorian. That’s a huge win for both the fishery and the coastal communities that depend on these vital ecosystems

Steelhead returns in Idaho have reached over 97,000—marking the highest number in the past seven years. With expectations for a return surpassing 100,000, this year's steelhead migration is shaping up to be one of the best since 2015