Fishing Regulations and Policies

The NPS Organic Act gives the Secretary of the Interior the authority to implement rules and regulations as deemed necessary or proper for the use and management of the parks, monuments, and reservations under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. However, in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 2.3) sport-fishing regulations in NPS units are generally established in coordination and cooperation with the State(s) within which a park occurs. Regulations within NPS units should permit reasonable use and enjoyment of resources without compromising the productivity and sustainability of fish populations or the health and biological diversity of the aquatic ecosystems upon which they depend. Areas inside park boundaries may be closed to fishing to protect spawning and nursery areas, threatened and endangered species, non-target fish populations or other resources that are at risk due to habitat loss or over-fishing.