Lenny Rudow, founding editor of FishTalk magazine, has been named the 2026 Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award recipient by the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission. Rudow is recognized for his 30-year career advocating for fisheries conservation, education, and sustainable angling through publications, podcasts, and tournaments throughout Maryland.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced nominations are being accepted for its Hall of Fame Award, recognizing individuals whose leadership and contributions have shaped the boating industry. The nomination deadline is May 14, with the award to be presented at the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference in Tampa, Florida, October 6-8.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame Award, recognizing individuals with significant leadership and long-standing contributions to NMMA and the boating industry. The nomination deadline is May 14, with the award to be presented at the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference in Tampa, Florida, October 6-8.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in collaboration with Wildlife Forever, announced the 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest winners across four grade brackets. Winners including Emily Jin, Savannah LaViolette, Sebastian Romo, Mila Das, and others will advance to the National Competition. FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood praised the young artists' talent and creativity in celebrating Florida's native fish species.
Tom Davidson Sr., Founding Chairman of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, will be inducted into the International Game Fish Association's Fishing Hall of Fame on August 29, 2026, at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, recognizing his lifetime of leadership in fisheries conservation.
New York's Angler Achievement Awards Program recognized 774 anglers in 2025, including 561 Angler Award and 213 Youth Angler Award recipients. Top species caught included largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, and yellow perch, with four new state records set for fallfish, channel catfish, brook trout, and white perch.
Ryan Roberts, Senior Program Manager for the National Fish Habitat Partnership at the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, received the 2025 Conservation Partner of the Year Award from Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. Roberts was honored for his leadership in fish habitat conservation and the National Fish Habitat Partnership's work across more than 1,500 conservation projects in all 50 states.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announced its 2026 induction class featuring Don Iovino, Pam Martin-Wells, Takahiro Omori, Rick Pierce, and Mike Whitaker. The five inductees, selected by a 30-member panel and 54 living Hall of Fame members, will be honored at the induction banquet on September 24 at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
The International Game Fish Association announced its 2026 Annual Awards recipients across six categories, honoring Dave Chermanski, Mike Brauser, Rick Weber, the International Light Tackle Tournament Association, Bob Crupi, and Hal Chittum for excellence in sport fishing, conservation, and sportsmanship.
The International Game Fish Association announced five distinguished inductees for the 2026 Fishing Hall of Fame class: Roy W. Cronacher Jr., Tom Davidson, Patrick Healey, Captain Ralph Delph, and Jose Wejebe. The induction ceremony will take place August 29, 2026 at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announced its 2026 ballot featuring twelve nominees including anglers Edwin Evers, Pam Martin-Wells, Andy Morgan, John Murray, Takahiro Omori, and Clark Wendlandt, along with media representative Terry Brown and industry figures Rick Pierce, Lynn Reeves, and Mike Whitaker. The Selection Panel and Hall members will vote by February 13, with inductees announced in March and honored at the September 24 induction ceremony at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust will induct Captain Carl Ball and the late Captain Jose Wejebe into the BTT Circle of Honor on April 16, 2026. Ball receives the Flats Stewardship Award for his conservation work, while Wejebe is posthumously honored with the Curt Gowdy Memorial Media Award for his ESPN2 show Spanish Fly.
Dan Basore, a renowned historian of fishing lures and tackle, has been named the ninth recipient of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame's Meritorious Service Award. He will be recognized at the Chicagoland Fishing Expo on January 22 at the Schaumburg Convention Center, where he will display historical lures and memorabilia.