In February, we announced the winners of the Women of Fisheries Gives Back! Award for early career fisheries scientists. Although we were only able give out three awards, the applicants were excellent and we wanted to highlight a few of their unique journeys and experiences. Their experiences ranged from studying fish communities in Missouri streams, Midwest lakes, and Scottish lochs, to salmon research in Alaska and the United Kingdom, to climate research on marine fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and along the US Atlantic coast. Check out the profile below of one of our inspiring applicants.
From early career to retired fisheries scientists, we would love to feature and amplify your experiences! Please fill out our Women of Fisheries Profile form to be featured individually in a future blog post!
Lily Smalstig
I grew up along Michigan’s St. Clair River, a place where water wasn’t just scenery, it was a way of life. That river shaped who I am and sparked my love for fisheries. One of my most vivid memories is from when I was 17, casting for muskie, the legendary “fish of 10,000 casts.” Against all odds, one bit on my very first cast. My dad, who had never caught a muskie himself, was right there beside me. We laughed, we celebrated, and honestly, I didn’t see that rod for a while as he was trying to catch one for himself! That moment wasn’t just about the fish: it was about connection, persistence, and the allure of water.
As a first-generation college student, I worked hard to turn that passion into a career. In 2022, I graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in Freshwater Science and Sustainability. Like many students, I struggled to choose a path, but fisheries biology felt like home. I was drawn to the science, the conservation mission, and the chance to make a difference for the waters that raised me.
My first job after graduation was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a biological science technician. I spent my days knee-deep in rivers, conducting electrofishing surveys for invasive sea lamprey. Those moments in the field (mud on my boots, water rushing around me) cemented my commitment to this work. Six months later, my journey took an unexpected turn when I accepted a position as a fisheries biologist with the USFWS Office of Conservation Investment. Today, I manage millions of dollars in federal funding through programs like Sport Fish Restoration, Aquatic Education, and the Clean Vessel Act. While my work now happens more at a desk than in waders, the impact is just as real: supporting projects that protect fisheries and inspire future generations.
My fisheries interest is simple: to continue advancing fisheries conservation while helping people experience the outdoors and the joy of fishing. Looking back, every step, from that first muskie to managing national conservation programs, has been driven by the same belief: healthy waters connect us all. And that’s what keeps me passionate about this field every single day.