Does your State have a program like the Fish Ohio Recognition Program

[kayaking_kev]

I'm just wondering how many of you live in States that have fishing programs similar to the one in Ohio?

 

If you're wondering, Fish Ohio gives out a pin if you catch a listed species of qualifying size. If you catch 4 different species of qualifying size in the same year, you get a Master Angler Pin. It's nothing special beyond self gratification, but does add a little bit of fun to the season. Some people have been collecting the pins for decades. I came up one species short in my first year of fishing in 2018, but earned one last season, with a Smallmouth, Largemouth, Rock Bass, & Yellow Perch.

 

The link shows you what species are listed and the size they have to be.

 

http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/fish-ohio-recognition-program#tabr3

 

[MN Fisher]

Minnesota has the 'Hall of Fame, Master Angler Program'.

https://www.fishinghalloffamemn.com/master-anglers/

[A-Jay]

Michigan has the Master Angler program. 

I used to register several brown bass a season.

I stopped a while ago.

They publish annual best C & R catches at the end of each seaon. 

They also gives out a patch.

It's a little sappy.

A-Jay 

 

[Johnbt]

Virginia has a trophy fish program.

www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/trophy-fish

 

aka the Angler Recognition Program

 

aka catching a citation

 

No pins.

[soflabasser]

Florida has the TrophyCatch Program for trophy bass and the BigCatch program for over 30 species of freshwater fish.

[senile1]

Missouri has a Master Angler Award program if you meet certain length and minimum weight requirements.  I have never made a submission to the program.

[kayaking_kev]

21 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Minnesota has the 'Hall of Fame, Master Angler Program'.

https://www.fishinghalloffamemn.com/master-anglers/

Your States qualifying size is much bigger than Ohio's, especially on some fish, but that probably shows how much better the fishing is in your State.

 

Your Largemouth = 21" and Ours is 20"

Your Smallmouth = 21" and Ours is 18"

And those are the close ones, your Channel Cats have to be 30" and ours 26".

 

41 minutes ago, Johnbt said:

Virginia has a trophy fish program.

www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/trophy-fish

 

aka the Angler Recognition Program

 

aka catching a citation

 

No pins.

Virginia also has bigger qualifying sizes, wow. The fishing here must suck after looking at some of these.

36 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Florida has the TrophyCatch Program for trophy bass and the BigCatch program for over 30 species of freshwater fish.

I don't even want to see Florida's qualifying size list.

[soflabasser]

25 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

Your States qualifying size is much bigger than Ohio's, especially on some fish, but that probably shows how much better the fishing is in your State.

 

Your Largemouth = 21" and Ours is 20"

Your Smallmouth = 21" and Ours is 18"

And those are the close ones, your Channel Cats have to be 30" and ours 26".

 

Virginia also has bigger qualifying sizes, wow. The fishing here must suck after looking at some of these.

I don't even want to see Florida's qualifying size list.

A 18 inch or bigger smallmouth bass is awesome catch for many states. We do not have smallmouth bass in Florida but we do have largemouth bass and peacock bass. A largemouth bass has to weigh at least 8 pounds to qualify for TrophyCatch. For BigCatch a largemouth bass has to measure at least 24 inches or weigh 8 pounds or more. A peacock bass has to measure 18 inches or better or weigh at least 4 pounds for BigCatch. A channel catfish has to measure at least 25 inches or weight at least 12 pounds to quality for BigCatch. You get an Elite Angler award if you submit at least 10 different species that each qualify for a BigCatch Award.

[MassYak85]

Massachusetts has a similar catch and release trophy program. People call them "pin fish" cause you literally get a pin for submitting proof of your catch if it exceeds a certain length. Largemouth is 21" and Smallies are 20". You get a bronze pin for any qualifying catch and a gold pin for the largest fish of the year for that species. I believe they host a rewards ceremony for all gold pin winners and award an Angler of the Year award to whoever has the most qualifying species. I kind of like it, I wouldn't go waving the pins around but it's kind of nice to have a little physical reminder of your catch to go along with a picture. 

[Bluebasser86]

Kansas has a Master Angler program. I've never submitted a fish through it.