Program helps mentor next generation of anglers
Mark Stephens of Project F.I.S.H. teaches Saginaw Bay youth about fish anatomy. Photo: Michigan Sea Grant
Project F.I.S.H. is an award-winning youth fishing and mentorship program working to preserve fishing as part of Michigan’s natural heritage and foster the next generation of anglers to enjoy and care for the state’s rich fishing resources.
MSU Extension and Michigan Sea Grant are partnering with 4-Hand Project F.I.S.H. to bring a new series of youth fishing education opportunities to the Saginaw Bay region. Volunteers are needed to help make this new series of youth and family fishing initiatives possible!
A three-session workshop will be held in May in Bay City, offering Project F.I.S.H. training for Saginaw Bay region volunteers. The partnership received a grant from the Dow Corning Foundation with support from the Saginaw Community Foundation to make this training free to residents of Bay and Saginaw counties.
During the training workshops volunteers will:
- Learn hands-on youth-focused methods for teaching a variety of topics including tackle crafting, angling skills, aquatic ecology, and fisheries management and ethics.
- Connect with youth fishing education partners and volunteer opportunities in the Saginaw Bay region.
- Receive a toolbox of fishing education materials that includes a spincast rod and reel, backyard bass game, tackle box, tackle crafting supplies, bluegill fish print mold, a stewardship project guide and the full Project F.I.S.H. curriculum with detailed instructions for over 100 fishing education activities.
The program will be held 6-9 p.m. May 17, 18 and 25 at Handy Middle School cafeteria, 601 Blend Street, Bay City. Register online before May 13, enrollment is limited.
For questions or additional information contact Katy Hintzen at hintzen@msu.edu or (989) 891-7198.
