A Huge Win For The Modern Day Fisherman: How the MAPWaters Act Helps Anglers
- The Fly Box LLC
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
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Just after Christmas 2025, and with little fanfare outside conservation and access circles, a meaningful public lands bill quietly became law. The MAPWaters Act is now official federal policy, and while it does not grab headlines the way land sales or access closures do, it may end up shaping how Americans experience public water for decades to come.
For fly fishers and other anglers who rely on federal land and water, this legislation represents something rare. It is a clear, practical win that improves access without changing ownership, opening sensitive areas, or weakening conservation protections.
