Nathaniel Gillespie

The U.S. Forest Service has a long, rich history in helping to steward the Nation's fish and aquatic resources and in contributing to the broader fish and aquatic conservation and scientific community in the United States and worldwide. The agency recently updated its national strategy for fish and aquatic resource stewardship.

The socioeconomic benefits of recreational, commercial and subsistence fishing associated with the U.S. Forest Service are substantial and are expected to increase over time. Recreational fishing on national forests and grasslands generate over $2.2. Billion annually through fishing equipment, boats, travel, outfitter and guiding, fuel and licenses which in turn provide critical funding for fisheries habitat management and conservation by federal and state agencies.