State fish and wildlife agencies in New York, North Carolina, and Oklahoma were awarded Outstanding Sport Fish Restoration Program Projects of the Year by the American Fisheries Society’s Fisheries Administration Section. The winning projects were announced at the AFS annual meeting held in Spokane, Washington.

“The Sport Fish Restoration Program is an essential part of efforts to ensure quality recreational fishing opportunities for anglers,” stated Gary Whelan, President of the Fisheries Administration Section. “These states were recognized for projects that reflect the intent of the SFR program such as improving the management of key sport fish species, increasing the survival of sport fishes stocked, insuring angler access to fishing areas, and continuing to promote angling to the current and next generation of anglers.”

The 2022 Outstanding Projects are:

Sport Fishery Development and Management Category
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – Evaluation of Steelhead Stocking Size and Location on Emigration and Adult Returns in Chautauqua Creek, NY

Fisheries Research and Surveys Category
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – Exotic-Invasive Trout Pathogens in North Carolina

Angler Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) and/or Aquatic Education Category
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation – Operation Retention

For additional information on the Outstanding Sportfish Restoration Program awards, contact, Lynn Quattro QuattroL@dnr.sc.gov, President-elect of the Fisheries Administration Section.