National Take a Friend Fishing Month™ Launches June 1

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS – Created by Fishing’s Future, and presented by Visit South Padre Island, the month‑long initiative highlights one simple truth shared by nearly every angler: the best memories of fishing come from who you were with, not what you caught.

For nearly 20 years, Fishing’s Future has taught families how to fish together, emphasizing the social bonds that keep people engaged in the sport for life. Although more than 90% of Americans support recreational fishing, only about 19% participate. National Take a Friend Fishing Month aims to close that gap by motivating anglers to share their time, knowledge, equipment, and passion with someone who has never fished before.

“Someone once took each of us fishing,” said Fishing’s Future Executive Director Tom Lang. “National Take a Friend Fishing Month is about paying that gift forward.”

Fishing’s Future is joined by a powerhouse lineup of 18 legendary anglers and outdoor personalities to champion National Take a Friend Fishing Month. Each member of the National Take a Friend Fishing Month Coalition credits their life path to the moment someone first took them fishing … and now they’re calling on America to do the same.

The Coalition boasts eight members of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, two Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame members, and multiple generations of professional anglers. Collectively, Coalition members have won eight Bassmaster Classic Championships, 26 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles, notched 60 sacks in the NFL, taught millions to fish and hunt, and developed lure innovations that have caught millions of fish. Coalition members will share personal stories, family memories, and National Take a Friend Fishing Month messages across their social channels throughout June.

National Take a Friend Fishing Month Coalition members include Bill Dance, Davy Hite, Jimmy Houston, Alton Jones Sr., Alton Jones Jr., Kelly Jordon, Gary Klein, Wally “Mr. Crappie” Marshall, Hilary Martin, Justin Martin, Roland Martin, Scott Martin, Wade Middleton, Hank Parker, Brian Robison, Jeff Sprague, Kevin VanDam, and Mark Zona.

Anglers across the country can join the lead of the Coalition by taking part in National Take a Friend Fishing Month simply by sharing the water with someone new. Whether it’s a friend, coworker, neighbor, or your own family, June offers the perfect opportunity to pass along the gift that someone once gave you. Participants are encouraged to purchase a fishing license—unless exempt or fishing during their state’s free fishing days—as license dollars directly support fish stocking, habitat enhancement, access improvements, and fisheries management. Anglers are encouraged to visit takeafriendfishing.org for numerous resources to help ensure a great first experience for their friend or family. On the site, anglers can brush up on their skills through Zebco Academy, explore upcoming fishing conditions and recommended baits with Bass Forecast through the Bass Forecast app, or sign up to take a Fishing’s Future online course with Founder Shane Wilson. Families new to fishing can also learn from Take Me Fishing’s beginner videos, including tips on teaching kids to fish and essential skills for first‑time anglers.

Increase the fun and support Fishing’s Future’s efforts to take families fishing across the U.S. by downloading the free Fishing Chaos app and participating in two National Take a Friend Fishing Month virtual tournaments. The National Take a Friend Fishing tournament is designed to find who can take the most people fishing in the month of June. Anglers earn points simply by taking new people fishing. The National Take Your Family Fishing tournament is designed to find “the most fishing family in America.” Anglers earn points simply by taking their family fishing in June. Participants in both tournaments can earn prizes including the grand prize of a week-long South Padre Island fishing vacation, gear from AFTCO, Bubba, Waggle, and Zebco, and gift cards from Bass Pro Shops and Yum Baits. All participants will receive exclusive discounts from event sponsors Academy Sports & Outdoors, Bass Forecast, Big Bite Baits, Livingston Lures, Rapala, Tackle Warehouse, TFO Temple Fork Outfitters, Yum Baits, and Waggle.

Anglers are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #FishingsFuture and #TakeAFriendFishing, to support Fishing’s Future through tax‑deductible donations, and to follow the National Take a Friend Fishing Month Coalition members on social for inspiring stories and tips throughout June.

Fishing’s Future’s National Take a Friend Fishing Month is presented by Visit South Padre Island and made possible thanks to the generous support of the members of the Coalition and the following industry partners: Visit South Padre Island, Bass Forecast, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports & Outdoors, AFTCO, Big Bite Baits, Bubba, GSM Outdoors, Livingston Lures, Pradco, Rapala, Rather Outdoors, Tackle Warehouse, TFO Rods – Temple Fork Outfitters, Yum, Waggle, and Zebco.

For more information, visit takeafriendfishing.org/ and to support Fishing’s Future and its mission to strengthen family bonds though fishing visit www.fishingsfuture.org.