Press Releases

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 7, 2018) – Currently, 17.1 million women participate in recreational fishing, a number that continues to increase. To better meet the needs of this fast-growing fishing segment and equip even more women with the resources to join, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) has today announced its list of Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat, just in time for National Fishing and Boating Week (June 2-10). Identified through a survey of thousands of moms across the country, this list is made for moms, by moms.

“Youth today are more likely to go fishing with their mothers, according to a recent Aquatic Resource Education Association (AREA) and RBFF Report,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “With youth participation up 5.4 percent in 2017 to 11.6 million, it’s clear that female anglers will continue playing an integral role in helping us reach our 60 in 60 goal, in addition to our work to reach multicultural outdoor families. I’m proud of RBFF’s commitment to bringing visibility to women in the fishing and boating industry through our Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat, part of our new Making Waves women’s initiative.”

From the list, a national vote will determine the Top 10 Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the Nation. The public is invited to cast their vote  now through Friday, June 29, for a chance to win a family fishing and boating trip in Fort Myers, Fla. The Top 10 winning locations will be announced in July.

Sourced with the help of state fish and wildlife and federal agencies, a Mom-Approved Place  features family-friendly amenities such as play areas, easy parking and picnic facilities, with safe water and boat access readily available at each location. And of course, Mom-Approved Places are packed with plenty of different species of fish to catch.

Families are invited to try out a Mom-Approved Place to Fish and Boat near them June 2–10 during National Fishing and Boating Week, an event highlighting the important role recreational fishing and boating play in sustaining our country’s natural resources. As part of National Fishing and Boating Week, many states around the country offer Free Fishing Days when anglers can fish on public bodies of water without needing to purchase a fishing license. For a calendar of Free Fishing Days, visit TakeMeFishing.org.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF's recently announced 60 in 60 effort strives to attract 60 million anglers to the sport by the end of 2021. To help recruit, retain and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns creating awareness about boating, fishing and conservation, and educating people about the benefits of participation. These campaigns help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org and TakeMeFishing.org/es, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.