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The past 10 years have seen a dramatic increase in actions to restrict or ban recreational fishing in areas across the United States. California has designated hundreds of miles of the state’s salt water as no-take marine reserves, leaving more than 760,000 saltwater anglers without access to some of the best fishing spots on the Pacific Coast. Along the South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a temporary ban on red snapper fishing, a ban that could become permanent for the thousands of anglers who fish these waters. And in other areas, such as the Great Lakes, invasive species—including Asian carp and zebra mussels—are crowding out native species as they fight for food and other resources.

Across the country, preventing or limiting recreational anglers from accessing public fisheries’ resources are being touted as new ways to manage fish populations, undermining the achievements of proven fisheries management methods that focus on conservation. Banning or limiting sportfishing access, absent a science-based reason, is an unprecedented concept that runs counter to the proven methods of fisheries conservation management in the United States—models that have well-served fisheries and recreational anglers for decades.

“If this alarming trend continues, anglers in the Great Lakes and the Midwest may risk similar restrictions being implemented on their favorite lakes, rivers and streams,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Vice President Gordon Robertson. “This country’s 60 million recreational anglers want reasonable access to our nation’s waterways. Anglers must make sure their voices are heard by state and federal agencies responsible for fishery management. We are giving anglers that voice. We are working to maintain the right to access and sustainably fish our nation’s waterways.”

The ASA is the trade association that represents not just the sportfishing industry, but the broader sportfishing community, including individual anglers.

The Voice of the American Angler

In 2006, looking for an easy-to-remember and easy-to-use outlet for California’s anglers and boaters to stay informed and motivated to speak out to policy makers, the ASA launched the web site, www.KeepAmericaFishing.org. Over time, the nation’s sportfishing industry trade association knew it needed to give voice to not just California’s anglers but to the millions of American recreational anglers who share one thing in common—a passion for fishing.

Since then, the ASA has established KeepAmericaFishing™ as the voice of the American angler. Through sound policy, science and conservation, its mission is to keep all of our nation’s oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams open for recreational fishing and abundant with fish. With its government and conservation partners, the organization works to limit science-based closures to areas in which they are clearly beneficial to the health of the fishery.

To learn more about restrictions to recreational fishing and what you can do to keep America fishing in your community, visit www.KeepAmericaFishing.org.

Why should I care about fishing restrictions outside of the Great Lakes?

Your right to fish is under attack. The past 10 years have seen a dramatic increase in unnecessary bans on recreational fishing from California to Florida, from Texas to Minnesota. If allowed to continue, these efforts could impact every recreational angler’s ability to fish in his or her community.

How can I find out if my favorite place to fish is at risk of closure?

Visit the web site and sign up for action alerts. KeepAmericaFishing™ will send you the latest news and alerts about actions that may impact the Great Lakes region and other areas of interest.

How can I help prevent closures in the Great Lakes?