Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary | official facebook
The Department of the Interior has announced an expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities on public lands, opening or expanding access at 16 units within the National Wildlife Refuge System and one unit in the National Fish Hatchery System. This update affects more than 87,000 acres across multiple states including Alabama, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Texas and Washington.
According to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “Hunting and fishing are more than just traditional pastimes, as they are also vital to the conservation of our lands and waters, our outdoor recreation economy, and our American way of life. The Trump administration is committed to promoting good government by reducing regulatory burdens by working with states to make access to these outdoor activities a reality for every American family.”
The final rule introduces inaugural hunting opportunities at Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge and opens formal hunting at Grasslands Wildlife Management Area. It also establishes inaugural sport fishing at North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery. These changes reflect efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that all new opportunities align with state fish and wildlife regulations.
Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service Brian Nesvik stated: “We are pleased to offer these new hunting and fishing opportunities that are compatible with our conservation mission. Hunting and fishing significantly benefit the outdoors by helping manage wildlife populations, promote outdoor stewardship and contribute to local economies. These refuges and hatcheries provide incredible opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen and their families across the country to pass on a fishing and hunting heritage to future generations.”
In addition to expanded access for hunters and anglers, administrative updates have been made for clarity in station-specific regulations. The agency aims to reduce regulatory burden on the public while complying with plain-language standards mandated by President Trump’s Executive Order 14192 issued January 31, 2025.
The Service reports that in 2022 outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing generated over $394 billion in economic expenditures nationwide; hunters and anglers accounted for more than $144 billion of this amount based on data from its National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. In 2021 alone an estimated 39.9 million Americans over age 16 participated in fishing while another 14.4 million went hunting.
A full list of units affected by this expansion will be available when the final rule publishes in the Federal Register on August 28, 2025 (http://www.regulations.gov Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-0031). The updated regulations take effect starting September 2 for the upcoming season.
