2026 Utah Chapter

Annual Meeting

Sponsor the Meeting

Award Nominations

Registration - Coming Soon

2026 Abstract Submissions - Coming Soon

"Back to Basics: Standard Practices in Fisheries Management"

Date: March 2 - 4, 2026

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Venue: TBD

Join us this coming year in Salt Lake City, Utah for the Utah Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting - hosted by the Utah Chapter AFS

Registration and Abstract Submissions - Stay tuned for upcoming deadlines.

The 2026 Utah AFS meeting is schedule for March 2nd - 4th in Salt Lake City, Utah (Monday - Wednesday)

The the theme this year is "Back to Basics: Standard Practices in Fisheries Management"

Meeting Program

Our format will look similar to previous years with a few minor changes. We will continue the Lighting Talks, which will be short talks limited to 5-7 minutes with a few minutes for questions. If you have some research/methods you're currently working on and would like to share, but you don't feel it's enough for a typical 20-minute time slot, these lightning talks are a perfect way to share your information quickly and effectively.

Talks and posters are part of the vital information sharing we do at annual chapter meetings, so please consider giving a talk (20 minutes) or a poster to share what you're doing so that others can learn from it. We have a wide range of sessions planned and can create more to fit any presentation you might be interested in. To register for a talk or poster, please submit an abstract at the following LINK (coming soon). The deadline for abstracts will be announced shortly.

As always, we will have continuing education courses taught at some point during the conference. These courses will focus on standard practices in fisheries management; a great refresher for the old timers and valuable skills to pick up for those just starting their careers. More information about these courses will be posted on this website in the coming weeks.

See below for more information!

Sponsor the Meeting!

Learn more about the levels and benefits of sponsoring the Annual Meeting HERE

Location - Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is a vibrant city situated at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, offering a unique mix of outdoor recreation and urban energy. Known as the "Crossroads of the West," it is a major hub for skiing, national park access, and cultural attractions, making it a destination for both adventure and relaxation.

City overview

Location and setting: The city is nestled in a valley at the southeastern end of the Great Salt Lake, with the Wasatch Range providing a stunning backdrop.
Activities and recreation: It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class skiing just a short drive from downtown, along with hiking, biking, fishing, and scenic drives in the nearby mountains and canyons.
Culture and attractions: Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and a center for art, history, and entertainment. Visitors can explore historic sites likeTemple Square, visit the Natural History Museum of Utah, or take in a show at the Eccles Theater.
Urban life: The city has a growing downtown core with a variety of shopping, dining, and nightlife options, alongside distinct neighborhoods like the historic Sugar House and the creative Granary Districts.
Vibe: Salt Lake City is known for being a friendly and laid-back city that blends natural beauty with a lively urban spirit.

Accomodations

More information regarding accommodations will be posted here within the next few weeks. Check back in!

Travel and Parking

Travel during March in Northern Utah can be impacted by inclement weather. Please check the WEATHER prior to any travel. Stay safe!

More information regarding travel and parking will be posted here within the next few weeks. Check back in!

Registration

Call for Papers - Abstract Submission

The theme of our 2026 meeting is Back to Basics: Standard Practices in Fisheries Management. We had some great success with lightning talks at our 2024 and 2025 meetings and would like to continue to offer that option for the 2026 meeting. Lightning talks are short talks limited to 5-7 minutes with a few minutes for questions. If you’ve got some research you’re currently working on and would like to share, but you don’t feel it’s enough for a typical 20 minute time slot, these lightning talks are a perfect way to share your information quickly and effectively. Oral presentations (20 minutes time slot) and posters are part of the vital information sharing we do at annual chapter meetings, so please consider giving a talk or a poster to share what you’re doing so that others can learn from it. Even if you feel your research is incomplete, we would love to hear about your progress!

Please use this FORM (coming soon) to submit your poster or presentation abstract by TBD.

Executive Committee Officer Nominations

Please consider nominating yourself or one of your peers for an officer position within Utah AFS. Officer positions provide an opportunity to become more involved in AFS and grow professionally. In addition, you have an active voice in deciding where meetings are held, symposium topics, and what continuing education opportunities will be available. Positions that are open for election this spring are:

· Vice President (4-year commitment)

· 1st Year Committee Member (2-year commitment)

· Webmaster/Communications Officer (2-year commitment)

Please send all nominations to Erik Woodhouse by the new deadline of TBD. Please address emails to: utahafs2@utahfisheries.org . Any questions about officer duties can be sent to Erik prior to submitting a nomination. Election results will be announced at the end of 2026 Annual Utah Chapter meeting.

Award Nominations

Help us celebrate the aquatics professionals that are doing great work in Utah by nominating someone for an award today! Utah Chapter awards will be presented at the 2026 Annual Utah Chapter meeting in Salt Lake City. Award categories are:

· Award of Merit

· Lifetime Achievement Award

· Professional of the Year

· Habitat Conservationist of the Year

· Partner of the Year

· Leaky Boot Award

Criteria for each award are found on the AWARDS tab. Nominations should be no longer than one page in length and should demonstrate how the individual has fulfilled the criteria for the award for which they are being nominated. Please send all nominations to Erik Woodhouse by the new deadline of TBD. Please address emails to: utahafs2@utahfisheries.org

Awards Banquet

Don't forget to indicate if you are coming to the Awards Banquet as you register for this years Annual Meeting. Come for great food, the raffle, and a memorable evening!

Schedule

The schedule is currently under development. Please revisit the site after the registration deadline for more details.

Contacts

Please reach out to one or more of the ExComm members if you have any questions regarding details about the Annual Meeting.

President: Cody Edwards president@utahfisheries.org

President Elect: Trina Hedrick - presidentelect@utahfisheries.org

Vice President: Robert Shields - vicepresident@utahfisheries.org

Past President: Jens Swensen pastpresident@utahfisheries.org

1st Year Committee Member: Tyler Robinson utahafs1@utahfisheries.org

2nd Year Committe Member: Erik Woodhouse utahafs2@utahfisheries.org

Treasurer: Kayleigh Mullen treasurer@utahfisheries.org

Communications Officer: Jacob Stout comms@utahfisheries.org

Raffle Items

Each year we raffle off various small to large items donated by the many businesses and people who help make the Utah Chapter of AFS such a great organization. Stay tuned for what items we will be raffling off. You might be the brand new owner of a fishing rod, camp chair, or more!

Raffle tickets will be sold at the conference.

Become a Sponsor!