Hunting and Fishing | Bureau of Land Management
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Hunting and Fishing
The Bureau of Land Management provides opportunities to hunt, fish and engage in shooting sports activities in a safe and environmentally sound manner that promote marksmanship, public safety, hunter education, competition and lawful hunting.
Over 99 percent of BLM-managed lands are open to hunting, fishing and recreational shooting opportunities. The BLM provides important access to hunting and fishing opportunities on public lands and waters, working with local communities and our valued partners to actively expand access to these opportunities.
Find BLM Land near you.
Online Interactive Map
Hunting
America’s shared public lands provide habitat important for big, upland, and small game, furbearers and waterfowl and other game birds. The BLM manages 43 million acres of elk habitat, 131 million acres of mule deer habitat and 23 million acres of bighorn sheep habitat. BLM-managed lands are home to over
3,000 species
, including big game, upland game birds and waterfowl. Numerous wildlife species occur nowhere else in the country, except on public lands.
Unless specifically prohibited,
public lands managed by the BLM
are open to hunting. Always check with your
local BLM office
in the region you plan to visit to inquire about closures, restrictions and safety tips before you plan your trip.
It is extremely important to hunt only on lands where it is legally allowed. Private land is open to hunting only if you have the permission of the land owner. If you do not have permission to hunt, you are trespassing and can be prosecuted. Crossing private lands to access public lands is not permitted, unless you first obtain permission from the private landowner. The BLM provides public information, such as brochures and maps, through
online
and physical public rooms.
Find a public room in your state here
All hunters on public lands must have the
required state license(s)
. States are responsible for managing wildlife within their borders for the trust and benefit of their residents, even if the hunting occurs on federal lands.
Fishing
The BLM manages over 130,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams and provides countless public recreational fishing access opportunities throughout the United States. From desert reservoirs to mountain streams, BLM's fisheries and aquatic resources support public recreation and subsistence fisheries and are critical for sustaining the Nation’s aquatic resources and fisheries. BLM-managed lands are open for fishing unless specifically closed for specific resource protection purposes.
All anglers on public lands must have the required state license(s). That’s because states are responsible for managing wildlife within their borders for the trust and benefit of their residents, even if the hunting occurs on federal lands. You can search for state fishing licenses on the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website
Safety Tips
Come prepared.
Weather and conditions may change quickly so pack accordingly. Always bring a first-aid kit, extra water, food and dry clothing.
Plan your route in advance.
Stop by your
local BLM field office
to pick up hard-copy maps, and make sure your course is on public lands. Don’t enter private lands without contacting the landowner and getting permission first. Some
BLM maps
can also be found on the BLM website.
Know your surroundings.
Be on the lookout for other people and potential risks. Always be sure of your target and what is beyond.
Let others know your plans.
Before leaving, make sure to touch base with someone and let them know where you will be, when you will be back and develop an emergency plan just in case.
Make sure your equipment is in proper working condition.
By checking your equipment, you decrease risk of injury to yourself and others and to avoid accidentally starting a wildfire on public lands. Take steps to make sure trailer chains aren’t dragging, and stay on roads and trails.
Practice
Leave No Trace
and
Tread Lightly principles
Whenever you venture out on public lands, you should follow outdoor ethics to preserve the great outdoors for future generations. Do your part to keep public lands clean and prevent the spread of invasive species.
Protect yourself by wearing safety equipment.
Always wear proper hearing protection and safety glasses. In addition, wear hunter orange when required. Wear a life vest if fishing from a boat, boardwalk, or dock.
Where to hunt and fish
Br-12 Watchable Wildlife
This 200-acre prairie marsh in northcentral Montana holds a narrow reservoir about one mile long. This reservoir acts as a prairie pothole with its tailwaters slowly drying during the summer and fall.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Agency Creek Campground
Agency Creek Campground (4 campsites) is located along the Lewis and Clark National Backcountry Byway, near the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. At the top of the pass, there is a memorial...
BIKING
HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
CAMPING
FISHING
HIKING
HORSEBACK RIDING
HUNTING
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE
PICNICKING
WILDLIFE VIEWING
fee station at Alder Glen
Alder Glen Recreation Site
A place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the electronic age, Alder Glen is the BLM’s easternmost campground in the Nestucca River Recreation Area.
FISH VIEWING SITE
WILDLIFE VIEWING
HUNTING
WATER ACCESS
SCENIC DRIVE
Alkali Creek WSA
In Wyoming, Alkali Creek Wilderness Study Area contains outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation.
BIKING
CAMPING
FISHING
HIKING
HORSEBACK RIDING
WILDLIFE VIEWING
PHOTOGRAPHY
WILDERNESS
View of Alsea Falls from the bridge in the day use site. The river is central in the photo with calm water, reflecting the blue sky. The scene is surrounded by green trees and shrubs.
Alsea Falls Recreation Site (Campground)
The beautiful surroundings of Alsea Falls can be enjoyed by exploring the trails that wander through the area and lead to the picnic grounds and beyond. On a warm day, find cool relief along the river
MOUNTAIN BIKING
DAY USE AREA
HUNTING
HIKING
FISHING
CAMPING
BIKING
North Fork of the American River
American River North Middle South Forks
The BLM, Mother Lode Field Office administers river recreation on the North and South Forks of the American River. VISIT North Fork American River VISIT South Fork American River Return To: BLM, Mother Lode Field Office
HIKING
PICNICKING
WILDLIFE VIEWING
PHOTOGRAPHY
PADDLING
Report Crimes
Please help preserve our heritage. Treat cultural sites with respect. Do not touch petroglyphs or remove artifacts. Report crimes to resources including vandalism, dumping and suspicious activity at 1-800-637-9152.
State Hunting/Fishing Information
Quick Links
Annual list of closures to Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting
FWS Hunting License Information
FWS Fishing License Information
National Conservation Lands
Know Before You Go
Regional Information
Arizona
California
Idaho
Nevada
Oregon/Washington
Visit
Download the new Hunting and Fishing Brochure (PDF
WHERE TO FISH
WHERE TO HUNT
VISIT SITES
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Learn more about recreation on your public lands