Clean & pure water is the element that maintains thriving, healthy populations of fish. It is a precious resource. Pollution spoils the health of our systems by contaminating our rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. It has far reaching effects that aren't immediately apparent, but show in the reactions of our fish populations.

Erosion Gradual and storm caused erosions occurs naturally. Over the years we have selfishly eroded through development without thinking of the impact of our actions. Development is a necessary part of human progress, but it is our responsibility to clean up the mess previous generations have left and take our waterways into account. The process of erosion degrades the bank, and dumps dirt & silt into the water, which can negatively impact streams, lakes, bay and ocean resources. Preventing erosion and maintaining high quality riparian areas is an important element in reducing pollution and improving water quality.

Urban Water Pollution Pollution problems are everywhere but certain areas face varying challenges. In the northeastern U.S., acid rain is a big threat to fish and other wildlife and Lake Superior faces mining challenges. Timber harvest without buffer zones in mountainous areas can cause erosion and sediment to flow into lakes and streams - eliminating keys spawning habitat. Mercury is a concern in many lakes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Around much of the Great Lakes, PCBs and other chemicals are a concern. In most large urban communities, the main cause of water pollution is a combination of sewage and industrial waste. Unfortunately, some water can't be used because it is too polluted by chemical industrial waste.

Trash & Littering

Sadly, many people trash and litter our rivers and lakes. This can have more of an affect on fish than they think. Please bag it up and pack it out!

Get educated and vote for our waterways. It is your responsibility as an angler to get educated about the challenges we face. As a voter, you will be asked to make decisions about proposed laws. Learn about what will positively impact rivers, lakes and streams - then vote! Also, work to educate others about the issues.

There is hope - fish are resilient. When the right factors come into play, we've seen some incredible results by fish how have re-acclimated to new spawning grounds and waterways. Let's do our part to make sure fish have a chance!