Imagine the serenity of casting a fly line into a mountain stream, the excitement of playing a king salmon or small-mouth bass on the end of the line, or the joy of watching your child's amazement as they watch a bobber swirl and then disappear under water. These are just some of the types of fishing opportunities that are available on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands. Fishing is an acceptable and traditional form of wildlife-dependent recreation that can be, and is sometimes used as a tool to effectively manage fish populations. Compatible recreational fishing is an appropriate use of the refuge system and fishing, along with hunting, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation are considered priority general public uses of the refuge system.

The guiding principles that the refuge system uses to managing quality fishing on refuges includes: 1) to effectively maintain healthy and diverse fish communities and aquatic ecosystems through the use of scientific management techniques; 2) to promote visitor understanding of and increase visitor appreciation for America's natural resources; 3) to provide opportunities for quality recreational and educational experiences; and 4) to minimize conflicts with visitors participating in other compatible wildlife-dependent recreational activities.

The refuge system offers anglers adventure and diversity with more than 270 national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts offering a variety of fishing opportunities. Fishing habitats vary from mangrove swamps, coastal surfs, and tidal estuaries to alpine lakes, beaver dammed oxbows, and glacial fed streams. For a snapshot of fishing opportunities across the system or to check the opportunities at the refuge nearest you, read our online brochure "Your Guide to Fishing on National Wildlife Refuges".