Methodology & sources

Sources we accept

Only official state wildlife agency pages (.gov or state-domain pages) and official regulation booklets. Search engines and AI summaries help us find official pages, but they are never cited as sources. See the 50-state source registry.

How a page gets published

1. An editor opens the agency page or booklet and reads the relevant rule.
2. We record the figure in a structured file that must include the source URL, source title and last-verified date. The site will not build without them.
3. We restate the rule in our own words. We do not copy agency text.
4. Each page shows the agency, source link and last-verified date, plus a reminder to confirm with the agency.

When we cannot verify

We write “check source” or omit the item. Examples at launch: some Lake Erie dates and limits that the Ohio booklet says will be announced later, Minnesota short-term license prices that differ between the agency’s web page and booklet, and Idaho pages that were unavailable when we checked.

No filler pages

We publish a page only when there is a real set of figures behind it. We would rather have fewer verified pages than thousands of thin ones.

Scope and limits

Always verify with your state wildlife agency before you fish or hunt. Regulations change, and local or water-specific rules can override the statewide figures shown here. Statewide figures are shown first. Special-water rules (for example individual lakes) are mentioned where the agency states them but are not exhaustive.

Corrections

Email [email protected]. Last full verification pass: 2026-10-23.