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Trophy freshwater anglers, this program is for you!
(Saltwater anglers, visit the Division of Marine Fisheries website for saltwater awards information.) ATTENTION ANGLERS--As of 2006, new changes have been implemented in the Freshwater Sportfish Awards Program. The major changes include:
A complete set of Program rules are found on the Sportfishing Awards Affidavit (pdf) that anglers should download and fill out for submission in the Freshwater Sportfish Awards Program. Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program For over 40 years, the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife has sponsored the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program, (FSA) designed to recognize anglers who have caught exceptional freshwater fish from waterbodies that are open to freshwater fishing by the public. Over the years, the program has changed and evolved to reflect the interests of anglers, to promote fishing and to recognize exceptional anglers. The Program consists of several elements:
How the Program Works: Sportfish Pin Awards--Anglers receive bronze pins for catching fish of certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species. Anglers must have their catch weighed at a certified scale from any location and submit an affidavit and photo of their catch to the Sportfishing Awards Coordinator. Additionally, anglers who catch the largest fish in each category receive a gold pin and plaque commemorating their accomplishment. Traditionally, the "gold pin winners" are honored every February at a special Sportfish Awards Ceremony held at the Eastern Outdoor and Fishing Exposition in Worcester. Nearly 500 pins are awarded annually. Beginning in 2005, a youth category was added to recognize anglers 17 years and younger for the accomplishments. Angler of the Year Award--Beginning in 2003, the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife began recognizing the angler who submitted the most species qualifying for "pin fish" during the calendar year. This part of the program is designed in part to promote awareness of some of the Commonwealth's underutilized species and to recognize an angler's ability to catch a wide variety of large fish species. Some anglers become specialists, studying the habits of specific species and learning how to target them, while others become generalists seeking out all the species that the state's waters have to offer. This award is also a way to recognize that the motivations for angling are as diverse as the anglers themselves! The Angler of the Year is also honored along with the gold pin winners at the Sportfish Awards Ceremony. All procedures and rules for submitting an entry in the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program are found on the Sportfishing Award Affidavit.(pdf) This is the document that must be submitted to qualify for a Sportfish Awards Pin. Looking to weigh your big catch? --A link to weigh stations that have historically offered this service for the Sportfish Awards Program. You are not limited to weighing at these locations, but they have supported this program over the years. Freshwater Sportfish Award Winners -- Information on Gold pin winners and the Angler of the Year since 2000. Sportfish Awards Leaders--This table shows the largest caught so far this year in each category. As affidavits come in, leaders for each species of fish will be posted at this link. Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Records--Discover the who, where and when of the largest fish ever caught in the state! Any fish to be considered for new state record status must be presented in its entirety to MassWildlife fisheries personnel or the Awards Program Coordinator. 2007 Minimum Weight Requirements For Pin Fish Submissions The weights below reflect the changes made effective as of 2006 calendar year.Note that there is now an adult and youth angler category.
For further information, contact the Freshwater Fish Awards Program Coordinator in Westboro 508/389-6300 Looking to weigh your big catch? --A link to weigh stations that have historically offered this service for the Sportfish Awards Program. You are not limited to weighing at these locations, but they have supported this program over the years. Scale Certification Info: In order to qualify for a pin, fish that meet the minimum weight requirement must be weighed on a certified scale.A scale can be certified in one of two ways; if the scale owner resides in a town with a total population over 5,000, individual(s) are assigned by the town to certify the scale, contact your town office to determine who the individual is. For towns with a total population under 5,000, the Massachusetts Division of Standards certifies scales. The Division of Standards can be reached at (617) 727-3480 or at their website. Freshwater Sport Fishing Award Winners 2006 Gold Pin Winners -- See who caught the biggest fish and where in 2006! 2005 Gold Pin Winners -- For the first time in the history of the program, youths 17 and under were recognized with gold pins and plaques for their catches! This will become a new tradition of the Freshwater Sport Fish Awards Questions? Comments? Contact: MassWildlife at Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us Date Last Updated: February 12, 2007 |
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Freshwater Sportfishing