Author: Brian Good
Planning Unit: Bell County CES
Major Program: Natural Resources
Plan of Work: Focus on Forestry, wildlife, and natural resource managment
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Fishing is an outdoor sport that continues an uphill swing in participation. According to the 2020 Special Report by takemefishing.org, “In 2019, 17% of the U.S. population ages 6 and up went fishing at least one time. This was a 1%-increase since the year before, and it represents a decade-long upward trend in fishing participation.” (pg 4) There were over 50 million people that participated in fishing at least once during 2019. Youth aged 6-12 amounted to 14% of total angers, while youth aged 13-17 were responsible for 9%. Due to these rising numbers, the Bell County Extension office recently offered a fishing program for Bell County Schools summer enrichment. The fishing program was conducted at two different schools over the course of four days. Approximately 150 students were involved in the program. The youth were taught fishing basics, which included items they should take on an outing, the difference in fishing reels and water safety. They also practiced their casting with spincast reels, which were provided by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. A survey, held during the program, showed that only about half of the students had been fishing prior. About 25% of the students stated that they fish at least once per month. The program generated interested among the students, as many stated they now wanted to go fishing.
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