CASC Fish Research

Fishing holds significant economic and cultural value in the United States and across the globe. Inland fish, or those found in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other land-locked waters, provide food for billions and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. In the U.S., inland recreational fishing generates approximately $36 billion in expenditures each year, provides treasured opportunities for people to connect with nature, and supports human health. Fishing for food to eat, or subsistence fishing, provides food security and vital micronutrients, strengthens community resilience to economic hardship, and preserves cultural traditions.  
 

However, inland fish and fisheries face intensifying pressure from threats like climate change, invasive species, pollution, and overharvest. The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident. Warming water temperatures are changing which fish species are found where and the timing of important life-cycle events like spawning. Changes in precipitation patterns alter water quality and quantity, and therefore the availability of suitable habitat for some species. Characterizing the diversity and severity of these threats is important for prioritizing management and guiding resource allocation that minimizes impacts while also planning for future threats.  
 

The CASC Fish Research Program is dedicated to supporting the sustainable management and conservation of inland fisheries in the face of climate change and other pressures, providing data and tools that directly help fisheries managers strategically adapt to changing conditions. The program is comprised of a dynamic team of scientists partnering with federal, state, and tribal management agencies, universities, and other conservation practitioners to carry out novel research and science synthesis designed to meet the needs of fisheries managers.