The Lower Monument Dam on the Snake River in Washington. (Shutterstock/Davidrh photo)
March 04, 2026
By Fly Fisherman Staff
Judge Orders Targeted Operational Changes to Columbia and Snake River Dams A federal judge in Oregon has ordered targeted operational changes at major hydropower dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, citing urgent concerns for salmon runs that are “disappearing from the landscape.” U.S. District Judge Michael Simon ruled that the Trump administration’s prior operational plan would harm already‑imperiled salmon populations, granting many of the protections sought by Oregon, Washington, tribal nations, and conservation groups in a decades‑long legal battle. The ruling restores higher spill levels at eight mainstem dams, directing more water over spillways rather than through turbines to aid juvenile salmon migration.
Plaintiffs had also asked the court to lower reservoir levels to speed fish passage, but the judge declined that request, ordering reservoir operations to remain at 2025 levels. The decision nonetheless marks a significant shift toward fish‑first management, with environmental advocates calling the measures “a necessary stopgap to keep the fish alive” while long‑term solutions—including potential removal of the four lower Snake River dams—continue to be debated.
“This is basically life support that we’re offering these fish,” Abbie Abramovich, the Idaho Conservation League’s salmon program senior associate, said in a recent Spokane Spokesman-Review article . “It’s entirely possible for the northwest to have clean energy and recover salmon populations, and this ruling is an important step in that direction.”
Read more here.
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South Carolina Proposes Red Drum Protections A South Carolina redfish. (Shutterstock/Junior D photo) South Carolina has introduced Senate Bill 961 (S. 961), a major proposal aimed at strengthening protections for red drum , one of the most culturally and economically important inshore gamefish in the Lowcountry. The bill would revise both the catch limits and size limits for red drum, tightening harvest rules to help rebuild a stock that has shown signs of stress in recent years. It also includes a gear provision requiring anglers to use non‑offset, non‑stainless‑steel circle hooks when fishing with hand‑held hook‑and‑line gear–an effort to reduce deep hooking and improve post‑release survival.
The proposal has drawn strong support from conservation‑minded anglers and guides. The American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) called S. 961 a “bold step to protect red drum,” emphasizing that the species is “a cornerstone of the state’s coastal heritage” and a major driver of the recreational fishing economy. ASGA praised both the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Senator George Campsen for “leading with science and foresight” in crafting the bill.
Read more here.
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Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Reaches Settlement Over Pollution CRK’s 2024 suit alleged repeated permit violations and elevated levels of E. coli and other pollutants downstream of the plant on the popular fly-fishing river. (Shutterstock/Sandra Burm photo) The City of Atlanta and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) have reached a settlement resolving a Clean Water Act lawsuit over pollution from the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center, the city’s largest wastewater treatment facility. CRK’s 2024 suit alleged repeated permit violations and elevated levels of E. coli and other pollutants downstream of the plant. Under the consent decree, Atlanta will continue major operational improvements—estimated at $55 million—and must copy CRK on all spill or violation notices sent to state regulators for the next three years.
The agreement also includes a collaborative component: the city and CRK will jointly sponsor an annual cleanup of a Chattahoochee tributary or river segment. The settlement follows earlier state fines totaling $291,000 for pollution violations in 2025. CRK says the resolution ensures accountability while supporting long‑term restoration of one of the Southeast’s most important fisheries and recreational waterways.
“I applaud Mayor Andre Dickens, Commissioner Greg Eyerly, and the DWM staff for their commitment to our common goal: safeguarding the health of the Chattahoochee River,” said
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Study Reveals America’s Cleanest and Dirtiest Lakes Lake Superior, shown here at a rock formation called the Sea Lion in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park near Thunder Bay, Ontario, tops the list of cleanest lakes. (Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators photo) A new national water‑quality report from Lake.com ranks America’s cleanest and dirtiest lakes using chemical data from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Lake Superior tops the list of cleanest lakes, thanks to exceptionally clear water (0.46 NTU turbidity), high dissolved oxygen (10.45 mg/L), and low mineral content. At the other end of the spectrum, Florida’s Lake Okeechobee ranks as the dirtiest, with murky water (34.36 NTU turbidity) and elevated lead levels (0.67 µg/L).
The study analyzed 100 of the nation’s largest lakes, evaluating factors such as dissolved oxygen, ammonia, lead, phosphorus, sulfate, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. While some lakes suffer from agricultural runoff, algal blooms, and industrial impacts, others benefit from strong conservation measures and consistent monitoring. For anglers, the rankings offer a snapshot of where habitat quality is improving—and where it remains at risk.
Lakes from across the U.S. made the list of the cleanest. (Graphic courtesy of lake.com) Florida's Lake Okeechobee topped the list of America's dirtiest. (Graphic courtesy of lake.com) Read more here.
Ballenger Memorial Fund Setup for CalTrout
(Video courtesy of CalTrout)
California Trout is honoring the legacy of Craig Ballenger —beloved ambassador, historian, author, mountaineer, and longtime caretaker of CalTrout’s Trout Camp—through the creation of the Ballenger Memorial Fund. Ballenger, who passed away in 2024, was widely admired for his deep knowledge of California’s waters, his mentorship of young anglers, and his adventurous spirit, which took him from the Sierra Nevada to mountain ranges around the world. CalTrout describes him as “a true legend in our community,” whose stories and stewardship shaped generations of anglers.
"Craig was a cherished member of the CalTrout community, serving as both an ambassador for the organization and as the dedicated caretaker of CalTrout’s Trout Camp," CalTrout Executive Director Curtis Knight shared in a memorial post. "More than that, he was a true legend in our community."
The new fund will support Trout Camp programs that introduce youth to fly fishing, conservation ethics, and cold‑water stewardship—continuing Ballenger’s lifelong commitment to education and wild places. CalTrout encourages supporters to contribute in his memory, ensuring that his passion for trout, rivers, and community endures.
Support CalTrout here.
NOAA Launches Fisheries-Data Collection Modernization NOAA has announced a major modernization effort for recreational fisheries management, signaling a shift toward more responsive, data‑driven oversight. Speaking at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, NOAA Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs outlined several reforms, including a new pathway to modernize recreational fishing data collection—an initiative widely viewed as the foundation for the forthcoming RAPID (Recreational Angler Partnership for Integrated Data) framework. The effort aims to create a system that is both nationally coherent and regionally specific, improving how recreational catch and effort data are gathered and used.
The modernization push includes expanded state‑led management through Exempted Fishing Permits, a review of longstanding vessel‑speed regulations, and a renewed focus on collaborative data partnerships. NOAA emphasizes that better data will help managers maintain sustainable fish stocks while giving anglers clearer insight into how federal decisions affect their time on the water.
Read more here.
