Project F.I.S.H.

Project F.I.S.H. (Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage) involves youth in a long-term and continuous, community-supported sportfishing and aquatic resource education program.

The Vision:
To initiate and provide fishing education and fishing skills to interested adults and youth from Michigan’s many diverse populations. This will preserve a natural heritage that ensures the future of fishing, which includes natural resources and environmental awareness, ethical fishing practices, fisheries stewardship and positive developmental activities for children, families and the community.

The Michigan Project F.I.S.H. program will work through a statewide committee with representatives from: Michigan 4-H Youth Programs; Michigan State University Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS); Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division; Michigan United Conservation Clubs; recreation departments, service organizations, sportfishing industries/retailers, volunteers and many others.

Project Goals:

• Provide multiple experience sportfishing giving youth gradual, sportfishing mentoring and a lifelong learning process
• Develop in kids an appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor ethics and behaviors while encouraging kids to spend time outdoors
• Introduce youth to sportfishing as a hobby and lifetime pursuit
• Reach youth through clubs, schools and sportsmen’s organizations
• Help adults as mentors spend time with youth
• Involve teachers, adult volunteer youth leaders, teen leaders and retirees as mentors
• Provide training for volunteers, with volunteers attending as members of a local team
• Help instructors develop willingness and ability to start and sustain a long term program in their local communities (including management/coordinator strategies)
• Help instructors and youth gain new knowledge and confidence, enjoyment of the outdoors, aquatic biology/ecology, ethics and angling skills
• Show local teams of instructors how to use available resources that highlight accessible fishing opportunities

Contact
For more information about Project F.I.S.H. programs or to become a Project F.I.S.H. volunteer, contact:

Mark Stephens, Education Program Coordinator
131 Natural Resources Bldg.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-432-2700
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)