Cold winter temperatures and a series of snow storms hampered hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts during the first weeks of 2025.
An Avian Flu outbreak in the region affected waterfowl, birds of prey, and other birds.
Cold stun events in January resulted in regulatory meetings and an early season closure of the North Carolina spotted seatrout fishery.
In February, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) announced a suspended season for harvesting striped bass by hook-and-line in the Roanoke River Management Area, which runs from March 1 through April 30, 2025.
This includes the Roanoke River and its tributaries from Roanoke Rapids Dam downstream to the mouth of the river at the Albemarle Sound, as well as the Cashie, Middle, and Eastmost rivers.
In February, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) completed its revised spring and summer Delayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported trout stocking schedule following an assessment of impacts from Hurricane Helene.
The list informs anglers of all the locations NCWRC will be stocking during the spring and summer, and the “week of” stocking schedule through June. At the time of completion, 14 stocking locations were not accessible due to storm impacts.
The fall Delayed Harvest schedule will be released in July, following an additional assessment of production capabilities and logistical issues caused by the storm.
Virginia DWR and Maryland DNR agencies issued warnings about invasive Alabama bass. The species, which look similar to largemouth bass and spotted bass, have been found in several lakes in Virginia.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYDEC) Lake Erie Angler Survey May 2025 Update indicated exceptional fishing.
In May 2025, Lake Erie walleye anglers averaged 3 walleye caught per boat, with an average length of 21 inches. Yellow perch anglers averaged 36 perch per boat in May. Bass anglers averaged 1.4 fish/hour and 18 bass caught per boat.
In June, NYDEC released statistics on the state’s black bass fisheries. According to NYDEC, New York’s bass fisheries contribute to the $5 billion in economic benefits provided by New York’s recreational freshwater fishing industry each year.
In 2024, the St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River were ranked the nation’s #1 and #7 bass lakes, respectively, by Bassmaster Magazine. Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, and Oneida Lake also made Bassmaster Magazine’s top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes list in 2024.
In June, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that its new online licensing system, MD Outdoors, is now available for residents and visitors to purchase Maryland hunting and fishing licenses as well as associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle renewal registration, and other services. MD Outdoors replaced the former site COMPASS.
In July, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, as a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Coast Guard Fifth District will now be known as Coast Guard East District. Coast Guard Ninth District will now be known as USCG Great Lakes District.
In 2025, multiple state record fish were caught.
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