Fisheries and fishing regulations ballot measures

Voters have decided on fisheries and fishing regulations ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, these include measures regarding fishing practices, licensing, quotas, and fisheries management. The topic is grouped within the environment and energy policy area.

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Fisheries and fishing regulations

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Upcoming ballot measures

See also: 2026 ballot measures and 2027 ballot measures

The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:

2026

1. Oregon Remove Animal Cruelty Exceptions Initiative (2026) - Potential

List of state ballot measures

Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.

Years

States

2026

1. Oregon Remove Animal Cruelty Exceptions Initiative (2026) - Potential

2018

1. Alaska Ballot Measure 1, Salmon Habitat Protections and Permits Initiative (2018)

2017

1. Washington Advisory Vote 16, Commercial Fishing Licenses, Fees, and Taxes Bill (2017)

2014

1. Alaska Bristol Bay Mining Ban, Ballot Measure 4 (2014)

2012

1. Oregon Measure 81, Prohibit Commercial Gillnet Fishing in Columbia River Initiative (2012)

2008

1. Florida Amendment 6, Assessment of Waterfront Property Amendment (2008)

2005

1. Maine Question 7, Commercial Fishing Waterfront Tax Use Amendment (2005)

2004

1. Alabama Shrimp and Seafood Promotion, Amendment 4 (2004)
2. Louisiana Farmer and Fisherman Funds Amendment, Question 4 (2004)

2000

1. Maine Question 4, Permit Valuation of Property Based on its Use as a Commercial Fishing Location Amendment (2000)

1999

1. Washington Initiative 696, Restrictions on Commercial Fishing Measure (1999)

1995

1. Louisiana Hunting and Fishing Laws Amendment (October 1995)
2. Texas Proposition 13, Tax Exemptions for Fishing Equipment Amendment (1995)
3. Washington Initiative 640, Fishing Regulations Measure (1995)
4. Washington Referendum 45, Expansion of Fish and Wildlife Commission Responsiblities Measure (1995)

1994

1. Florida Amendment 3, Limits on Fishing Nets Initiative (1994)
2. Maine Question 9, Fish Hatcheries Improvement and Expansion Bond Measure (1994)

1992

1. Oregon Measure 8, Restricts Lower Columbia River Fish Harvests Initiative (1992)

1990

1. California Proposition 132, Marine Protection Zone and Gill and Trammel Net Prohibition Initiative (1990)

1988

1. Alabama Catfish Industry Amendment (1988)

1985

1. Maine Question 3, Bond Issue to Fund Centers for Advanced Technology Measure (1985)

1984

1. Washington Initiative 456, Steelhead Game Fish Classification, State Control of Natural Resources, and Treaty Rights Measure (1984)

1982

1. Alaska Measure 7, Prohibit Classification in Personal Consumption Hunting and Fishing and Repeal Subsistence Laws Initiative (1982)

1980

1. Alaska Bonding Proposition A, Fisheries Facilities Bond Measure (1980)

1979

1. Maine Question 2, Public Fish Piers, Airports and Transportation Improvements Bond Measure (1979)

1978

1. Alaska Bonding Proposition 7, Fisheries Management and Facilities Bond Measure (1978)
2. Hawaii Control of Marine Resources, Amendment 25 (1978)
3. Hawaii Environment and Resource Protection, Amendment 23 (1978)

1976

1. Alaska Ballot Proposition 5, Repeal of Limited Fishery Entry Initiative (1976)

1974

1. Maine Inland Fisheries and Game Acquisition Fund Bond Measure (June 1974)
2. Oregon Measure 15, Prohibit Commercial Fishing of Rainbow Trout Initiative (1974)

1972

1. Alaska Amendment 5, Allow State to Limit Entry into Fisheries Amendment (August 1972)

1968

1. Alaska Proposition 8, Fish Hatchery Construction Bond Measure (1968)

1967

1. Maine Proposed Constitutional Amendment 6, State Guaranteed Industrial Loans for Fisheries and Agriculture Measure (1967)

1964

1. Oregon Measure 4, Prohibition of Commercial Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Initiative (1964)

1960

1. Maryland Potomac River Compact, Amendment 16 (1960)
2. Washington Initiative 25, Prohibit Large Dams and Water Diversions on Columbia River Tributaries Measure (1960)

1956

1. Alaska Proposition 3, Fish Traps Measure (April 1956)
2. Oregon Measure 7, Prohibit Non-Angling Fishing in Coastal Streams Initiative (1956)

1954

1. Oregon Measure 7, Prohibit Non-Angling Fishing in Coastal Streams Initiative (1954)
2. Washington Initiative 192, Commercial Salmon Fishing Regulations Measure (1954)

1948

1. California Proposition 15, Fishing Net Prohibition Initiative (1948)
2. California Proposition 6, Prohibition of Commercial Fishing in the San Francisco Bay (1948)
3. Oregon Measure Nos. 318-319, Prohibit Fixed-Appliance Fishing in the Columbia River Initiative (1948)

1946

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 312-313, Ban on Commercial Fishing in Nestucca Bay Referendum (1946)

1942

1. California Proposition 8, Fish and Game Funds Usage Amendment (1942)
2. Florida Amendment 3, Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Amendment (1942)
3. Florida Amendment 5, Board Power to Set Non-Uniform Saltwater Conservation Rules Amendment (1942)
4. Oregon Measure Nos. 310-311, Prohibition of Net Fishing on Coastal Waters Referendum (1942)

1940

1. Maryland Commission of Fisheries, Amendment 8 (1940)
2. Missouri Amendment 5, Repeal of Conservation Commission Code and Reinstatement of Pre-1936 Fish and Game Laws Initiative (1940)

1938

1. California Proposition 5, Fish, Mollusks, and Crustaceans Permits Initiative (1938)

1936

1. Maine Resident Fishing and Hunting Licenses, Question No. 4 (1936)

1934

1. Nevada State Question 2, Wildlife Protection and Game Regulation Referendum (1934)
2. Washington Initiative 77, Fish Traps and Fishing Regulations Measure (1934)

1932

1. Oregon Ban on Commercial Fishing on the Rogue River, Measure 5 (1932)

1930

1. North Dakota One Man Game and Fish Commission Referendum (1930)
2. Oregon Measure Nos. 320-321, Hook and Line Fishing on the Rogue River Initiative (1930)

1928

1. Illinois Hunting and Fishing Ground Proposition (1928)

1927

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 322-323, Angling Fish on Nestucca Bay Referendum (June 1927)

1926

1. Arizona Measure Nos. 302-303, Repeal State Game and Fish Law Referendum (1926)
2. Oregon Measure Nos. 332-333, Ban on Fish Wheels, Traps, Seines, and Gill Nets Use Initiative (1926)

1922

1. Arizona Measure Nos. 300-301, Repeal the Preservation of Fish and Game Act of 1916 Measure (1922)

1918

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 304-305, Rogue River Seine and Set-Net Fishing Ban Referendum (1918)
2. Oregon Measure Nos. 306-307, Willamette River Commercial Salmon Fishing Referendum (1918)

1916

1. Arizona Measure Nos. 306-307, Hunting and Fishing Regulations Initiative (1916)

1910

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 348-349, Hook and Line Only on the Rogue River Initiative (1910)

1908

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 318-319, Salmon and Sturgeon Fishing Regulations Initiative (June 1908)
2. Oregon Measure Nos. 332-333, Prohibit Salmon and Sturgeon Fishing Initiative (June 1908)

Alabama

1. Alabama Catfish Industry Amendment (1988)
2. Alabama Shrimp and Seafood Promotion, Amendment 4 (2004)

Alaska

1. Alaska Amendment 5, Allow State to Limit Entry into Fisheries Amendment (August 1972)
2. Alaska Ballot Measure 1, Salmon Habitat Protections and Permits Initiative (2018)
3. Alaska Ballot Proposition 5, Repeal of Limited Fishery Entry Initiative (1976)
4. Alaska Bonding Proposition 7, Fisheries Management and Facilities Bond Measure (1978)
5. Alaska Bonding Proposition A, Fisheries Facilities Bond Measure (1980)
6. Alaska Bristol Bay Mining Ban, Ballot Measure 4 (2014)
7. Alaska Measure 7, Prohibit Classification in Personal Consumption Hunting and Fishing and Repeal Subsistence Laws Initiative (1982)
8. Alaska Proposition 3, Fish Traps Measure (April 1956)
9. Alaska Proposition 8, Fish Hatchery Construction Bond Measure (1968)

Arizona

1. Arizona Measure Nos. 300-301, Repeal the Preservation of Fish and Game Act of 1916 Measure (1922)
2. Arizona Measure Nos. 302-303, Repeal State Game and Fish Law Referendum (1926)
3. Arizona Measure Nos. 306-307, Hunting and Fishing Regulations Initiative (1916)

California

1. California Proposition 132, Marine Protection Zone and Gill and Trammel Net Prohibition Initiative (1990)
2. California Proposition 15, Fishing Net Prohibition Initiative (1948)
3. California Proposition 5, Fish, Mollusks, and Crustaceans Permits Initiative (1938)
4. California Proposition 6, Prohibition of Commercial Fishing in the San Francisco Bay (1948)
5. California Proposition 8, Fish and Game Funds Usage Amendment (1942)

Florida

1. Florida Amendment 3, Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Amendment (1942)
2. Florida Amendment 3, Limits on Fishing Nets Initiative (1994)
3. Florida Amendment 5, Board Power to Set Non-Uniform Saltwater Conservation Rules Amendment (1942)
4. Florida Amendment 6, Assessment of Waterfront Property Amendment (2008)

Hawaii

1. Hawaii Control of Marine Resources, Amendment 25 (1978)
2. Hawaii Environment and Resource Protection, Amendment 23 (1978)

Illinois

1. Illinois Hunting and Fishing Ground Proposition (1928)

Louisiana

1. Louisiana Farmer and Fisherman Funds Amendment, Question 4 (2004)
2. Louisiana Hunting and Fishing Laws Amendment (October 1995)

Maine

1. Maine Inland Fisheries and Game Acquisition Fund Bond Measure (June 1974)
2. Maine Proposed Constitutional Amendment 6, State Guaranteed Industrial Loans for Fisheries and Agriculture Measure (1967)
3. Maine Question 2, Public Fish Piers, Airports and Transportation Improvements Bond Measure (1979)
4. Maine Question 3, Bond Issue to Fund Centers for Advanced Technology Measure (1985)
5. Maine Question 4, Permit Valuation of Property Based on its Use as a Commercial Fishing Location Amendment (2000)
6. Maine Question 7, Commercial Fishing Waterfront Tax Use Amendment (2005)
7. Maine Question 9, Fish Hatcheries Improvement and Expansion Bond Measure (1994)
8. Maine Resident Fishing and Hunting Licenses, Question No. 4 (1936)

Maryland

1. Maryland Commission of Fisheries, Amendment 8 (1940)
2. Maryland Potomac River Compact, Amendment 16 (1960)

Missouri

1. Missouri Amendment 5, Repeal of Conservation Commission Code and Reinstatement of Pre-1936 Fish and Game Laws Initiative (1940)

Nevada

1. Nevada State Question 2, Wildlife Protection and Game Regulation Referendum (1934)

North Dakota

1. North Dakota One Man Game and Fish Commission Referendum (1930)

Oregon

1. Oregon Ban on Commercial Fishing on the Rogue River, Measure 5 (1932)
2. Oregon Measure 15, Prohibit Commercial Fishing of Rainbow Trout Initiative (1974)
3. Oregon Measure 4, Prohibition of Commercial Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Initiative (1964)
4. Oregon Measure 7, Prohibit Non-Angling Fishing in Coastal Streams Initiative (1954)
5. Oregon Measure 7, Prohibit Non-Angling Fishing in Coastal Streams Initiative (1956)
6. Oregon Measure 8, Restricts Lower Columbia River Fish Harvests Initiative (1992)
7. Oregon Measure 81, Prohibit Commercial Gillnet Fishing in Columbia River Initiative (2012)
8. Oregon Measure Nos. 304-305, Rogue River Seine and Set-Net Fishing Ban Referendum (1918)
9. Oregon Measure Nos. 306-307, Willamette River Commercial Salmon Fishing Referendum (1918)
10. Oregon Measure Nos. 310-311, Prohibition of Net Fishing on Coastal Waters Referendum (1942)
11. Oregon Measure Nos. 312-313, Ban on Commercial Fishing in Nestucca Bay Referendum (1946)
12. Oregon Measure Nos. 318-319, Prohibit Fixed-Appliance Fishing in the Columbia River Initiative (1948)
13. Oregon Measure Nos. 318-319, Salmon and Sturgeon Fishing Regulations Initiative (June 1908)
14. Oregon Measure Nos. 320-321, Hook and Line Fishing on the Rogue River Initiative (1930)
15. Oregon Measure Nos. 322-323, Angling Fish on Nestucca Bay Referendum (June 1927)
16. Oregon Measure Nos. 332-333, Ban on Fish Wheels, Traps, Seines, and Gill Nets Use Initiative (1926)
17. Oregon Measure Nos. 332-333, Prohibit Salmon and Sturgeon Fishing Initiative (June 1908)
18. Oregon Measure Nos. 348-349, Hook and Line Only on the Rogue River Initiative (1910)
19. Oregon Remove Animal Cruelty Exceptions Initiative (2026) - Potential

Texas

1. Texas Proposition 13, Tax Exemptions for Fishing Equipment Amendment (1995)

Washington

1. Washington Advisory Vote 16, Commercial Fishing Licenses, Fees, and Taxes Bill (2017)
2. Washington Initiative 192, Commercial Salmon Fishing Regulations Measure (1954)
3. Washington Initiative 25, Prohibit Large Dams and Water Diversions on Columbia River Tributaries Measure (1960)
4. Washington Initiative 456, Steelhead Game Fish Classification, State Control of Natural Resources, and Treaty Rights Measure (1984)
5. Washington Initiative 640, Fishing Regulations Measure (1995)
6. Washington Initiative 696, Restrictions on Commercial Fishing Measure (1999)
7. Washington Initiative 77, Fish Traps and Fishing Regulations Measure (1934)
8. Washington Referendum 45, Expansion of Fish and Wildlife Commission Responsiblities Measure (1995)

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