Grants

Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters grants offer up to $3,000 to organizations preventing aquatic invasive species spread through outreach and education. The application period runs through January 31, 2027, with $35,000 available. Eligible applicants include lake associations, watershed groups, schools, and non-profit organizations, with support from Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded $2.7 million in grants for six boating access projects, including improvements to the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation's Smith River boat ramp, California's first designated water trail on the Lower Owens River, and upgrades at Sly Park Recreation Area. An additional $704,000 supports the Invasive Golden Mussel Program, with $3 million more available for fiscal year 2027-28 projects.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management received a $1.2M grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Outreach and Communication Program to increase recreational fishing and boating participation. DEM was one of 16 awardees selected from 127 applications nationwide and will focus on Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation initiatives.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced $892,200 in Fisheries Habitat Grants for ten conservation projects across Michigan counties. Funded by fishing license sales and state general funds, projects include dam removal, woody habitat restoration, and fish passage improvements by organizations including Michigan Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Rouge, and the Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council.

Idaho Fish and Game received a $1.65 million federal grant through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program to expand its Access Yes! program, which compensates landowners for providing hunting and fishing access on private land. The funding will support competitive lease rates and increase enrolled acres over three years, with additional support for a Teton Valley wildlife viewing project.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) funded a specialized all-terrain mobility vehicle for Lake Guntersville State Park through the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA). The vehicle enables visitors with mobility challenges to explore trails and experience the park's scenic beauty with greater independence, continuing AMLA's accessibility initiative across North Alabama.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is offering up to $60,000 in funding for K-12 schools to support hands-on water science learning through the Blue School Grant program. Individual awards up to $3,000 per teacher support STEAM curriculum including water quality testing, aquaponics, and watershed studies. Applications close September 15.

Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced $1,297,500 in Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) grants to fund 21 lake, river, and watershed projects across 18 Indiana counties. The grants, funded through boat registration fees, support water quality improvements and recreational opportunities.

Evan Wahmhoff received Georgia Southern University's fourth annual Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship, a $5,000 annual award supporting coastal sustainability research. Wahmhoff is pursuing a master's degree in biology, focusing on crayfish diversity and freshwater ecosystems in Georgia's Altamaha River Basin.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame awarded six $4,000 scholarships totaling $24,000 to students pursuing fisheries and natural resource management careers, including recipients from Oregon State University, University of Nebraska, North Carolina State University, Paul Smith's College, Purdue University, and University of Missouri. The program has now distributed nearly $100,000 since its inception.

The Ike Foundation® announced four 2026 college scholarship winners from 216 applicants. Grace Faulk received the inaugural Carol Muracco Memorial Scholarship, Tyler Namatka won the Hoffman's Exterminating Co., Inc. scholarship, and Cade Robb and Patrick Miller also received awards. Recipients will study dairy sciences, fisheries and aquatic biology, wildlife ecology and conservation, and environmental engineering.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering $100,000 in Local Sportsmen's Group grants with a June 14, 2026 deadline. Funding supports organizations providing mentored hunting and fishing projects for recruitment and development of new hunters and anglers.

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA announced Q1 2026 grant recipients for its Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative program, awarding over $237,000 to 13 organizations across 10 states. Grants support trail restoration, maintenance and construction, facility safety improvements, and land stewardship projects nationwide.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced $4.035 million in Waterways Grant-in-Aid Program funding for seven communities across Benzie, Emmet, Mackinac, Marquette, Ottawa, and Sanilac counties to improve public boating access through marina dredging and site improvements.

Major League Fishing's Fisheries Management Division and Zoeller Pump Company awarded a $5,000 grant to Mighty River Recovery to support St. Johns River habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and citizen-led conservation efforts led by Executive Director Joe Balog.

NOAA Fisheries announced up to $99 million through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund for conservation and recovery projects supporting Pacific salmon on the West Coast and Alaska. The funding supports state and tribal projects to improve habitat and increase salmon and steelhead populations, with applications due June 29, 2026.

Mud Hole Custom Tackle and CCA Florida announced Pierson Hewitt from Winter Park High School as the $5,000 Grand Scholarship winner of the Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program. Hewitt implemented conservation initiatives including a youth camp, rod building seminar, and lake cleanup programs. The partnership has awarded $39,000 in total scholarship funds to students focused on Florida's environmental health.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department increased Local Sportsmen's Group grant funding to $100,000, a $25,000 boost since 2007. Doug Burt, AZGFD's R3 program manager, noted the increase addresses inflation and rising event costs. Applications are due June 14, 2026.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's distribution of over $57 million through the State Wildlife Grants Program to support state conservation efforts. Funding supports habitat restoration and species management, with recent successes including Boreal Toad conservation in Utah and Guadalupe Bass restoration in Texas.

The Fred Crabill Youth Scholarship Program presented by Mud Hole Custom Tackle Education Program is a five-day educational experience for Florida high school students featuring marine facility tours, industry leader meetings, and speech competitions with college scholarship opportunities. Applications are open with a May 1 deadline, and the program runs June 14-18, with graduates eligible to compete for the Grand Scholarship.