The changes are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services annual Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations revisions. The revised regulations bring to 311 the total number of public hunting programs on national wildlife refuges. The Service also offers 271 public fishing programs on refuges. The final rule formalizing all of the new programs, modifications and administrative changes are published in todays Federal Register.
"Hunters must follow state regulations, and in addition, no permanent blinds are allowed. This area has been traditionally open to waterfowl hunting, so most hunters wont notice a difference," said Pam Dryer, refuge manager at Whittlesey Creek NWR. "The importance here, though, is that refuge signs are in place at the mouth of Whittlesey Creek and many people assume that means no hunting, which it doesnt."
In 2001, there were 2 million hunting visits to national wildlife refuges and 6 million fishing visits. By law, hunting and fishing are two of the six primary wildlife-dependent recreational uses on national wildlife refuges, and individual refuges are encouraged to provide opportunities to hunt and fish whenever they are compatible with the refuges conservation purposes. The Service annually reviews hunting and fishing programs on national wildlife refuges to determine whether to add, modify or remove them.
"We are opening a accessible fishing pier on the refuge to fishing from April to the end of June for fish in season," said Rick Julian, refuge manager at Rydell NWR in northwest Minnesota. "The site is shallow so fishing will only be good in the spring. Fish run up from Maple Lake to spawn and remain in the area until the water warms. Crappie, bluegill, bass, northern, walleye and bullheads should be common catches."
National wildlife refuges provide unparalleled outdoor activities -- including fishing, hunting, environmental education and interpretation, wildlife observation and photography -- making them special places for all Americans to connect with nature. Many refuges also offer opportunities for nature hikes, bird tours, wildlife drives and other activities. There is at least one national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge within an hours drive of most major cities.
Activities on refuges may be restricted to certain times, locations or seasons. Before planning an activity on a National Wildlife Refuge, contact the refuge manager for details.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
For further information about programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, visit our website at " facehttp://midwest.fws.gov
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