Fish and Aquatic Conservation
We work to conserve America's aquatic resources for present and future generations. (Photo: Larry Jernigan/USFWS)
We work with our partners and engage the public, using a science-based approach, to conserve, restore
and enhance fish and other aquatic resources for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Recent News
Junior Ranger 'Let's Go Fishing!' Lands in Trout Lake, Washington
September 2018
Let’s Go Fishing! For over 20 years the Service has been partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to support a Kid’s Fishing Day in the small community of Trout Lake in southwest Washington. The event has morphed over the years from fishing in a small ditch right in town to the open-ended event that it was this year. Families meet at the Trout Lake Ranger Station to pick up a pole, some bait and a map. They are directed to one of the many small local lakes in the area to fish for the day.
Learn more on the Junior Ranger Program and download the booklet
From the Region
Genoa National Fish Hatchery First Release of Salamander Mussel
BY NATHAN ECKERT AND MEGAN BRADLEY, GENOA NFH
In June and July, mussel biologists from Genoa National Fish Hatchery (NFH) released over 1,700 sub-adult Salamander mussels in the Chippewa River of Wisconsin. This is believed to be the first release of captively reared sub-adult (taggable size) Salamander mussels. It has been a long and winding road that led to this stocking, beginning back in 2013.
The Salamander mussel is the only mussel species known to transform on a non-fish host. The mudpuppy, a large salamander, has been identified as the host animal best suited for propagation of the Salamander mussel. The first step in the process was acquiring adult muduppies to serve as hosts, and we found a source of animals large enough to serve as broodstock back in 2013. Since that time we’ve been able to spawn them in captivity and rear juvenile mudpuppies to serve as our hosts for propagation efforts in the future.