They've been around since plants made coal. Now they contribute to the creel. They grow like a pig, and by some accounts smoked paddlefish – the other, other white meat – is better than pork cutlets. These Jurassic survivors are living through another age, one pocked by reservoirs behind lofty dams and pollution and excessive harvest.

American shad are seasonally native to the Connecticut River. They range from Long Island Sound to Bellows Falls, Vermont. Large numbers of shad have been counted at the dam in Holyoke, MA. Large numbers of shad pass the Holyoke dam and much smaller numbers pass the Turners Falls Dam. However, shad have trouble making it all the way through the fish ladders at the next upstream dam in Turners Falls. As a result of this bottleneck, researchers are trying to find a way to improve the fishway at that location. In the mean time, some shad are collected at the Holyoke fishlift and trucked upstream of the Vernon dam to make sure that a reasonable number of shad have access to high quality upstream habitat. The consequence is a spring recreational fishery for shad from Bellows Falls south. Nearly 4,400 anglers per year fish for shad in MA alone.

The Snake Range includes recreational lands administered by Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Great Basin National Park, Bureau of Land Management, and private lands. This mountain range includes Mt. Moriah in the north and Mount Wheeler in the south. The streams in this range, located in eastern Nevada, are not widely known for their fishing opportunities. Nonetheless, over 60 miles of perennial streams and an alpine lake with fish provide a variety of fishing experiences. The Snake Range is a rugged mountain range characterized by steeper slopes on its western face and more moderate slopes on the east side. Streams originate at high elevations and often disappear before they reach the basins.

Isle Royale National Park is located in the northwest corner of Lake Superior. This Wilderness Island contains a road-less backcountry which prohibits the use of all wheeled vehicles and devices (except wheelchairs). Visitors traveling to this Island paradise must arrive by boat or seaplane. The transportation services depart from Houghton, Michigan, Copper Harbor, Michigan and Grand Portage, Minnesota. Vehicular parking is available at all departure locations.

Only 1-day fishing licenses are available on the Island. Visitors wanting a longer license need to purchase them on the mainland prior to departure.

General possession notes

All fish in your possession count toward your limit, regardless of where and when you caught them. All fish in your possession must be measurable and identifiable by species. This requirement will be met by leaving the head and skin on.
Interior Lakes

Freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities abound in Acadia National Park and the surrounding area. Lakes and ponds can have several species of freshwater game fish, including trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and other species. Ocean species include mackerel, bluefish, and striped bass.

Freshwater fishing requires a State of Maine fishing license, as determined by state law. A license is not required to fish in the ocean.

FRESHWATER FISHING
The freshwater fishing season in Maine is generally April through September. Check the State of Maine Open Water Fishing Regulations on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website (http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/index.htm) for exact dates.

Recent fall fisheries assessments completed by the Grand Portage Tribal Department of Natural Resources record a 6 fold increase in coaster brook trout abundance in Grand Portage Bay of Lake Superior between the years 2006 and 2010. The Ashland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, the Genoa National Fish Hatchery and the Iron River National Fish Hatchery have been participating in a coaster brook trout restoration with the tribe since the late 90's.

Stocking rates and restoration strategies for the restoration effort are described in the tribe's fisheries management plan "A Coaster Brook Trout Rehabilitation Plan for the Grand Portage Reservation 2005-2015. In the plan, trials are ongoing to test different coaster strains and sizes at stocking to gather information on the most successful restoration strategy. Two separate strains of coaster brook trout are maintained at the two Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries in Wisconsin.

These waters feature easy access, bathrooms, wooden fishing piers and other amenities made for memorable getaways.

Lake of the Hills, near Davenport, has abundant bluegill populations. Kid-friendly with a snack shop, parking lot, beach, fishing pier, great shoreline access and other features.

Kent Park Lake, near Iowa City, is a small lake with excellent bluegill and channel catfish populations. Shore access is excellent, with a beach, hiking trails, playgrounds and conservation education center to explore.

Three Mile Lake, near Creston, has a playground, campground, fishing jetties and bathrooms. It holds strong bluegill and bass populations, as well as crappie and channel catfish.

Lake Anita, near Atlantic, has excellent bluegill, crappie, bass and catfish populations. A nice playground, good shore access, large campground, restrooms, trails and fishing jetties make for fun-filled weekends.

Northeastern Colorado Fishing Hot Spots

AURORA RESERVOIR: Perched atop the high plains of Aurora's "outback," this oasis provides 820 acres of water for the outdoor enthusiast. There are plenty of good-sized game fish including rainbow trout, brown trout. Other fish include walleye, wipers, largemouth bass, yellow perch and crappie. The reservoir is open year-round from dawn until dusk. Location: Approximately 2.5 miles east of Gun Club Road on Quincy Ave.

BEAR CREEK: (Evergreen to Bear Creek Reservoir): For a medium-sized stream, Bear Creek produces good catches of 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout with an occasional larger trout being taken. There are also a few tiger muskies and saugeye being caught. Location: Access west of Morrison on Highway 74.

1. Lakeshore State Park, Milwaukee - 1.2 mi., 4 min.
(Brown trout, salmon, largemouth bass) Shore access. Extensive
shore fishing throughout all of Lake Shore State Park. Take I-794
east to lakefront.

2. McKinley Marina, Milwaukee - 2.1 mi., 5 min.
(Salmon, steelhead, brown trout) Pier and Ramp access. Eight
public boat launching lanes to access Milwaukee Outer Harbor
and Lake Michigan. Take I-794 east to lakefront, north on Lincoln
Memorial Drive. Pier -

3. Jones Island, Milwaukee - 3.7 mi., 7 min.
(Brown trout, salmon, steelhead) Shore access. Fishing access and
gravel parking lot. Located south of the Port of Milwaukee on
South Shore Drive.

4. Veteran's Park, Milwaukee - 3.5 mi., 11 min.
(Salmon, brown trout, steelhead) Shore access. Fishing access and
parking lots in the park and on Lincoln Memorial Drive. Take I-
794 east to lakefront, north on Lincoln Memorial Drive.

Lake Amistad Texas (TX), Located on the Rio Grande River, it is 12 miles NW of Del Rio in Val Verde County Texas.
* Surface area is 64,900 acres. Maximum depth is 217 feet
* Lake Amistad was impounded in 1969
* Conservation Pool Elevation is 1117 feet
* Lake Fluctuation: Depends on area rainfall and downstream irrigation needs. Annual fluctuations can be as much as 5-10 feet. However, historical fluctuations have dropped as much as 50 feet below conservation pool. Normal Clarity is slightly stained to clear.

Known for it's great bass fishing. Fisherman come from far and wide to fish Lake Amistad. In addition to great Bass fishing, there is an abundance of Catfish, White and Striped Bass. Smallmouth Bass are also stocked, which makes it the perfect fishing trip for the whole family.

Predominant Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Catfish, White & hybrid striped bass.