A controversy has erupted in the sport fishing community over a new federal management plan for oceans and Great Lakes waters. Recent opinion pieces circulating on the internet and reported on numerous radio stations have stoked the flames through revelations that the policy, if implemented, would prohibit recreational fishing within vast areas of public water.

Within the next 30 – 60 days, the Obama Administration is planning to issue a final report, and possibly other management guidance, intended to govern the management of the nation’s oceans, coastal areas and Great Lakes. The plan originated in June 2009, when President Obama created the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force.

Today, a coalition of marine recreational fishing, boating, and conservation organizations and businesses called on the Obama administration to take immediate action to address a crisis within the federal fisheries management system.

OTN now encompasses more than 100 radio stations in seventeen states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming are broadcasting this award winning program to a projected audience of over 4.5 million.

Bass Pro Shops offers customers the ability to enjoy their outdoor adventures, hobbies, vacations, etc through their FREE events. Plus they provide seminars, workshops and professional field experts to help customers maximize their outdoor experience, along with free kids' activities.

Winchester® Ammunition recently committed $15,000 to help support the mission of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), which is to provide a voice for all sportsmen and women in Congress to promote sportsmen's issues with elected officials.

The Australian maker of  Yellow Tail Wine has pledged $100,000 to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest anti-hunting organization. This partnership offers further proof of HSUS’ work to spin its animal rights message in a way as to seem mainstream. 

The President's FY 2011 budget request of $1.6 billion for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will focus funding on the agency's highest priority conservation initiatives, while containing costs through management efficiencies and other savings to address government fiscal realities.

Former Women's Bassmaster Tour pros Dianna Clark and Judy Wong quickly switched to the Bassmaster Central Open circuit when the WBT was discontinued this month.

Freshwater fishing’s “Holy Grail” now has dual holders; 22 lb 4 oz bass caught by Japan’s Manabu Kurita matches IGFA record held for 77 years by Georgia’s George Perry