Sport Fish Restoration at 75

This year, we are highlighting the Sport Fish Restoration Act, which celebrates its 75th anniversary. As a cornerstone of America’s conservation legacy, this landmark legislation has played a vital role in preserving the health, sustainability, and accessibility of the fisheries and water we all cherish.

Sport Fish Restoration is . . .

Boating & Fishing Access: 9,000+ boating and fishing access areas for public use are maintained and operated nationwide each year.

Clean Water: 748 pump-out boats and fixed stations were constructed, renovated, replaced, or purchased in the last 5 years.

Boating Infrastructure: 32,000 linear feet of docks were constructed for boats that are 26 feet or more in length in the last 5 years.

Education: 850,000 students receive aquatic education and are introduced to fishing each year.

Disease Management: 12 fish health research laboratories supported through Sport Fish Restoration funding.

Fisheries Management: 200+ species of sport fish are managed, studied, and monitored by state fish and wildlife agency biologists each year.

How does Sport Fish Restoration fund conservation?

In short, federal excise taxes on sport fishing equipment fund fisheries conservation. Sport Fish Restoration’s success stems from the collaborations between fishing tackle manufactures, state fish and wildlife agencies, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as Dingell-Johnson, established this strong partnership in 1950—creating the most effective model of fisheries management known to the world.

As we commemorate this significant milestone—75 years—we honor the vital contributions of everyone involved—the workers building rods and lures; the fisheries biologist hauling in nets and collecting data; and the accountants who ensure fiscal fidelity. Sport Fish Restoration stands as a testament to the effectiveness of these collaborations in restoring and preserving our fisheries for the enjoyment of all. Join us in celebrating the power of community-driven conservation that has shaped the legacy of the Sport Fish Restoration.

Featured Video

Celebrating 75 Years of the Sport Fish Restoration Act

For 75 years, the Sport Fish Restoration Act has delivered public access to America’s waterways, extraordinary angling opportunities, boating safety, ﬁsh habitat management, ﬁsh population management and research, and clean water. This act has been cornerstone in ensuring that America’s sport ﬁsh populations and aquatic habitats are healthy while providing angling opportunities for the American public.

Check out more videos about Sport Fish Restoration below:

Playlist

7 Videos

Sport Fish Restoration Funding: Providing Fishing and Boating Opportunities on America's Waterways

Sport Fish Restoration Funding: Providing Fishing and Boating Opportunities on America's Waterways

Sport Fish Restoration Funding: The Cornerstone of Partnerships - Helping our Angling and Boating Resources Thrive

Sport Fish Restoration Funding: The Cornerstone of Partnerships - Helping our Angling and Boating Resources Thrive

Sport Fish Restoration Funding: The Cornerstone of Partnerships

Sport Fish Restoration Funding: The Cornerstone of Partnerships

1:31

Collaborating in Conservation: Partnering to Create Healthy Fisheries and Access for All

Collaborating in Conservation: Partnering to Create Healthy Fisheries and Access for All

2:54

Opportunity and Access in Kentucky

Opportunity and Access in Kentucky

2:17

Waterways for All: Improving and Expanding Public Fishing and Boating Access

Waterways for All: Improving and Expanding Public Fishing and Boating Access

3:03

Conservation Partnerships

Conservation Partnerships

5:05

A REEL SUCCESS: Sport Fish Restoration Celebrates its 75th Year

A one-page resource celebrating the Sport Fish Restoration Act turning 75. It is a cornerstone of America’s conservation heritage — and a promise for its future. This landmark legislation has ensured that the fish we catch and the waters we cherish stay healthy, sustainable, and accessible to everyone.

Clean Water and Boating Access: Benefits of the Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFR)

A one-page resource highlighting the critical role of the Sport Fish Restoration Act in supporting clean water efforts and improving boating access. Discover how programs like Boating Infrastructure Grants and Clean Vessel Act fund essential infrastructure, reduce environmental pollution, and enhance recreational boating experiences across the United States.

In The News...

Angling

Fishing Pono in Hawaiʻi: A Call to Honor Nature and Its Gifts

June 6, 2025

Hawaiʻi is a space where culture, nature, and sustainability are woven together. At the heart of this connection is the ancient Hawaiian concept of living pono — a word that translates to righteous or proper. In the context of fishing, pono is a way of life that speaks to a deep responsibility to respect and protect natural resources that have nourished the islands for generations. Across the Hawaiian Islands, Sport Fish Restoration funds are being used to support fisheries and foster the principles of pono fishing.

Angling

Casting a Conservation Legacy and Celebrating 75 Years of the Sport Fish Restoration Act

June 6, 2025

This year, the Sport Fish Restoration Act turns 75. This milestone marks three-quarters of a century ensuring that sport fish populations and aquatic habitats are healthy, sustainable, and accessible for all. No other funding method has had the same longevity, consistency, and significance for fisheries management in the United States.

Angling, Education, R3

A New Era for Aquatic Conservation and Education at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

May 2, 2025

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens, Texas, is a hub of aquatic education, fish production, and conservation in the Lone Star State. Since opening in 1996, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) facility has drawn over 1.1 million visitors, offering an in-depth look at the diverse world of Texas’ freshwater ecosystems and how state agencies manage fisheries resources.