Montana "Hooked on Fishing" program wins national recognition

From Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ “Hooked on Fishing” program for elementary students has won a prestigious national education award from the American Fisheries Society.

The statewide education program offers students in the fourth, fifth or sixth grades hour-long classroom components once a month during the academic year to help them develop an awareness and appreciation for Montana fish, aquatic resources and fishing. During the current academic year, the program is in 224 classrooms with more than 5,400 students in Montana.

The “2016 Aquatic Education Outstanding Sport Fish Restoration Project of the Year” award was presented to FWP Angler Education Coordinator Dave Hagengruber Thursday at the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Helena.

AFS representative Ken Kurzawski said Montana’s program has developed a strong presence among Montana youth and teachers the past 20 years.

“These awards are intended to both highlight the importance and effectiveness of the Sport Fish Restoration Program and recognize excellence in fisheries management, research, and education,” he said.

The Sport Fish Restoration Program, also known as the Dingell-Johnson or Wallop-Breaux program after its primary Congressional sponsors, is funded by an excise tax collected on fishing tackle, boats and motorboat fuel. The revenues then are returned to the states to enhance fisheries management and boating programs.

More than 70,000 students have participated in Montana’s program since its inception nearly 20 years ago. Classroom and field components include lessons on aquatic invasive species, native fish, fishing regulations, ethics, identification, anatomy, water cycles, math, biology and other topics. All lessons are correlated to state teaching standards in appropriate areas.

With some 80,000 members worldwide, AFS is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science and conserving fisheries resources.