National Fishing and Boating Week

School is out. The temperatures are rising. It's time to hit the water!

National Fishing and Boating Week (June 4 — June 12, 2021) is a great time to learn to fish, reconnect with your kayak, and enjoy the water with friends and family. Whether you've been fishing your whole life, or just picking up a pole for the first time, here are some great ways you can celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! 

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Go fishing at a National Wildlife Refuge or National Fish Hatchery. 

Fishing is available at 376 national wildlife refuges, 21 national fish hatcheries, and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed lands and waters. 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 or national fish hatchery in each state. Find places to fish near you using our interactive fishing map. You can plan your next fishing trip at https://www.fws.gov/initiative/fishing.  

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Learn to fish 🎣. 

You don’t need a ton of gear to start fishing. Check out our beginner’s fishing guide to get started fishing responsibly. The National Fish Hatchery System works with states and Tribes to stock over 100 million fish every year to support recreational fishing. Here’s some of our favorite fishing tips from the experts who raise them. 

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Recreate Responsibly

Public lands enrich our lives in so many ways — stress relief, improved health, and fun experiences with friends and family. We can help give back to them by joining #TeamPublicLands and recreating responsibly. 

The most important thing you can do to protect wildlife and habitat when fishing and boating is prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals. Whenever you leave the water, follow Clean. Drain. Dry. Dispose! 

🚿CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment before leaving water access — including hulls, interiors, and motors.

💧DRAIN motors, bilge, livewells, and other water containing devices before leaving water access.

🌵DRY everything for five days OR wipe with a towel.

🗑️DISPOSE of unwanted bait, fish parts, and packing materials, in the trash; never dump live fish or other organisms from one water body into another.

Get more tips to protect waterways! 

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Purchase a fishing license! 

Buying a fishing license is quick, easy and directly contributes toward conservation efforts. In most states, licenses can be purchased online, by phone or at retail establishments.

PURCHASE A FISHING LICENSE IN YOUR STATE.

Buying a fishing license is quick, easy and directly contributes toward conservation efforts. In most states, licenses can be purchased online, by phone or at retail establishments. One hundred percent of license fees go directly toward conservation and restoration, but licenses aren’t the only source of conservation funds. Each year, the Sport Fish Restoration Program distributes millions of dollars to state fish and wildlife resource agencies dedicated to restoration and enhancement projects across the country funded by an excise tax paid by manufacturers, producers, and importers of sport fishing equipment as well as small engine and motorboat fuel taxes paid by recreational boaters. Since 1952, more than $8 billion in Sport Fish Restoration Program grant funds have been distributed for fish management, species and habitat restoration, habitat protection, land acquisition, research, education, and public access for fishing and boating. Thank you to all anglers for supporting conservation while keeping outdoor traditions alive!