BFHOF Report
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) has announced financial grants $12,000 to three organizations whose efforts will greatly benefit the sport.
Fishing’s Future, Friends of Reservoirs Foundation, and the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance will each receive a $4,000 grant to assist with their 2022 projects.
“Board members Gene Gilliland and Casey Shedd identified and vetted these three groups, not only for the success each has had in the past, but also for their future plans where our financial support can bring even more success to their efforts,” said Board President John Mazurkiewicz. “The support the HOF receives from its inductees, companies and bass anglers nationwide - through induction dinner auctions and other fundraising projects - enables us to recognize and assist organizations who also celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing.”
Gilliland noted that the BFHOF financial aid will help fund the Friends of Reservoirs Foundation’s ‘Small Project’ habitat grant program where any of its 130 chapters can receive funding to encourage anglers and other reservoir users to work with the fisheries managers to address the habitat issues on impoundments nationwide.
With the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance, the HOF money will support the organizations ‘Free The Fighter’ billboard campaign around Lake Mille Lacs to promote catch-and-release smallmouth bass fishing.
“This outreach program continues to reinforce the message that the Mille Lacs smallmouth fishery is unique and extremely valuable to the local economy,” said Gilliland.
Taking kids fishing is the main mission for the Fishing’s Future organization. “This group plans nearly 3,000 events every year connecting kids and families with nature through fishing adventures,” said Shedd, who recommended the group for the BFHOF grant. “Our funds will be used for upcoming events focusing on bass fishing that are coordinated by one of the group’s 19 state affiliate clubs.”
The BFHOF Board has now earmarked more than $30,000 since 2019 to various fishing organizations for bass fishing conservation and education projects.