Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth is: A Guide to Angler Conservation Groups
We’ve talked about the science and the regulations that protect our fisheries, but who makes sure those things happen? Who stands up and fights for smart policies, clean water, and healthy habitat? Very often, it’s us—the anglers. Organized groups of anglers have been the single most powerful force in conservation for the last century. By pooling our resources and our voices, we can make a real difference. Joining one of these groups is the ultimate way to give back to the sport that has given us so much. Here are five of the most effective organizations every angler should know about.
1. Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
As a Texan, this one is near and dear to my heart. The CCA was started by a handful of recreational anglers in 1977 to combat the destructive effects of commercial overfishing. Today, they are a powerful national organization dedicated to conserving the health and abundance of our marine coastal resources. They are instrumental in creating artificial reefs, restoring habitats, and advocating for science-based fishery management on our coasts. If you are a saltwater angler, this is your team.
Website: cca.org
2. Trout Unlimited (TU)
What the CCA is to saltwater, Trout Unlimited is to coldwater. TU’s mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Their chapters across the country are famous for their hands-on projects—local volunteers getting in the streams to restore banks, improve habitat, and conduct water quality monitoring. If you’ve ever dreamed of pristine, wild trout streams, TU is working to make that a reality.
Website: tu.org
3. Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.)
While best known for the Bassmaster tournaments, B.A.S.S. has been a conservation powerhouse for over 50 years. Their conservation arm, B.A.S.S. Conservation, works on critical freshwater issues like fighting invasive species, promoting youth fishing, and improving habitat in our lakes and reservoirs. They have been instrumental in advocating for the science-based management that has made bass fishing in the U.S. the envy of the world.
Website: bassmaster.com/conservation
4. Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP)
The TRCP is a bit different. They are a partnership of dozens of conservation groups that works at the federal policy level in Washington D.C. Their main mission is to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish. They fight to keep public lands public, ensure conservation programs are well-funded, and advocate for common-sense energy development. They are our voice in the halls of power, fighting for our access to the outdoors.
Website: trcp.org
5. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT)
BTT is a great example of a science-focused organization. Their mission is to conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon, and permit fisheries and their habitats through research, stewardship, education, and advocacy. The science they conduct helps us understand the complex life cycles of these iconic sport fish, which leads directly to better management and conservation strategies. If you love the challenge of the flats, BTT is on the front lines of protecting it.
Website: btt.org
Why Your Support Matters
Whether you can afford a membership, a sticker for your truck, or just your time as a volunteer, getting involved matters. These groups are our collective voice. They fund the critical research, they do the on-the-ground habitat work, and they fight the political battles that individual anglers can’t. Supporting them is a direct investment in the future of our sport.
Getting involved is the ultimate expression of the angler stewardship we talk about in our Guide to Fishing Conservation.
-Captain Sal
