Recipient History

2023 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

Research and Surveys

Angler R3 (Recruitment/Retention/Reactivation)

2022 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

Research and Surveys

Angler R3 (Recruitment/Retention/Reactivation)

2021 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – Restoration of Bussey Brake Reservoir in Northeast Louisiana

Research and Surveys

  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game– American White Pelican Predation and Implications for Native Trout and Recreational Fisheries in Southern Idaho

2020 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Repatriation of Guadalupe Bass (State Fish of Texas) to the Blanco River

Research and Surveys

  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission– Characterization of the Population Genetics and Phylogeography of North Carolina’s Brook Trout

2019 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – Establishing and Monitoring a New Hybrid Striped Bass Fishery

Research and Surveys

  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – Lake Superior Steelhead Genetics Project

Angler R3 (Recruitment/Retention/Reactivation)

  • Missouri Department of Conservation – St. Louis Urban Fisheries Program

2018 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife – Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program

Research and Surveys

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – From Persecuted to Popular: How Research has Helped Change Perceptions of Alligator Gar in Texas

Aquatic Education

  • Arkansas Game and Fish Commission – Family and Community Fishing Program “Family Fun Day Events”

2017 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife – Reclamation and Restoration of Big Reed Pond — Recovery of an Endemic Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Population in Maine

Research and Surveys

  • Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism – Bathymetric Mapping of Kansas Reservoirs – F-30-R-21
  • Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department – Evaluation of Wild Brook Trout Populations in Vermont Streams (Grant F-36 R-18: Inland Waters Fisheries and Habitat Management, Study Title: Salmonid Inventory and Monitoring)

Aquatic Education

  • Missouri Department of Conservation – Discover Nature – Fishing Angler Education Program

2016 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Conserving Texas Rivers Initiative

Research and Surveys

  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game – YY Male Brook Trout Research Project

Aquatic Education

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission – TrophyCatch Program
  • Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks – Hooked on Fishing Program

2015 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management: Habitat

  • Wyoming Game and Fish Department – Lake DeSmet Water Lease to Ensure Sufficient Water and Public Access

Research and Surveys

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Investigation of Methods to Improve Spawning, Rearing, and Survival of Sport Fish Species in Hatcheries and in the Wild

Aquatic Education

  • Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation – Oklahoma Fishing in the Schools Program

2014 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Collaboration to Maintain Quality Fisheries in Brazos River Reservoirs: Using New Technology to Relate Reservoir Water Levels, Littoral Habitat and Recreational Access

Research and Surveys

  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – Development and Evaluation of Watershed Models for Predicting Stream Fishery Potential

2013 SPORT FISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management: Habitat

  • Nebraska Game & Parks Commission – New Reservoir Construction Program

Sport Fishery Development and Management: Access

  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency – Morris Ferry Boat and Bank Fishing Access: Revived and Alive Again!

Aquatic Education

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission – Fish Camp (Fishing and Basic Boating Skills Camp Pilot and Expansion)

Research and Surveys

  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – Using the DIDSON to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Different Fish Attractors in Turbid Reservoirs

2012 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Kansas Department of Wildlife, Park, and Tourism – Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats (FISH) Private Waters Leasing Program

Aquatic Education

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Urban Fishing Program Development and Case Study – Fish Iowa!

Research and Surveys

  • Idaho Fish and Game – Tag It Your It Project

2011 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission – Nesbitt Park Access Area Rehabilitation Project

Aquatic Education

  • California Department of Fish and Game – California’s Classroom Aquarium Education Project

Research and Surveys

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Lake Amistad Fizzing Methods Study

2010 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Access subcategory – Georgia Department of Natural Resources –  Lake Sturgeon Reintroduction in Georgia
  • Habitat subcategory – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission – Dry Run Creek Enhancement Project

Aquatic Education

  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – MinnAqua Aquatic Education Program

Research and Surveys

  • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission – Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Panfish Enhancement Regulations

2009 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Habitat Acquisition or Improvement -Alaska Department of Fish and Game – Evaluation of Culvert Influence on Seasonal Movements of Juvenile Salmonids in a Tributary of the Kenai River, Alaska
  • Access Subcategory – Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks – Community Fisheries Assistance Program

Aquatic Education

  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center

Research and Surveys

  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Saginaw Bay Fish Community Survey

2008 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources— Restoration of Four Southwest Iowa Constructed Lakes – Leveraging Sport Fish Restoration Funds for Regional Resource Improvement

Aquatic Education

  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources—Wild Rose Hatchery Education Center

Research and Surveys

  • Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries— Restoration and Enhancement of the New River Walleye Fishery

2007 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation – Evening Hole and Lost Creek Restoration Project

Aquatic Education

  • Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife – Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

Research and Surveys

  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – Lake Survey Mobile Software and Hardware Project

Honorable Mention Projects

  • Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Chapter of Trout Unlimited – Renovation of Parker Bend Angler Access Facility
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – Fishing: Get in the Habitat!

2006 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Utah Division of Wildlife Resources – Strawberry Reservoirs Sport Fish Enhancement Project

Aquatic Education

  • Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game – Outdoor Skills Program. A prominent feature of that program was the ongoing mentoring of kids

Research and Surveys

  • Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game – stock assessment and management of Stikine River chinook salmon

Honorable Mention Project

  • Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources – restoration of American and hickory shad in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay

2005 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries – Laurel Bed Lake Restoration

Research and Surveys

  • Lake Michigan Technical Committee, Salmonid Working Group – A multi-agency collaboration to evaluate Chinook salmon management in Lake Michigan

Aquatic Education

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Kids’ Fishing Clinics

Honorable Mention Project

  • Lake Michigan Committee, Yellow Perch Task Group – A multi-agency research initiative to identify likely causes for yellow perch recruitment failure in Lake Michigan

2004 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Kentucky Dept. Fish and Wildlife Resources – Cedar Creek Lake Development Project

Research and Surveys

  • Maryland DNR – Investigation of Striped Bass in Chesapeake Bay
  • Idaho Fish and Game – Sterile Fish Program

Aquatic Education

  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education

Honorable Mention Project

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Fisheries Resources Monitoring Enhancement Project

2003 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • Wisconsin DNR – Baraboo River Dam Removal and Restoration Project

Research and Surveys

  • Mississippi DNR – Investigation of larval and juvenile fishes that utilize Sargassum and oceanic frontal zones as essential fish habitat in Mississippi marine waters and the northern Gulf of Mexico

Aquatic Education

  • New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept. – New Hampshire’s Aquatic Resource Education Program

2002 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management/Aquatic Education

  • Missouri Department of Conservation – Lost Valley Hatchery Visitor Center and Kids Fishing Pond

Research and Surveys

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida Marine Research Institute – Health Monitoring of Florida’s Marine Sport Fish

Honorable Mention Project

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources – The Lake Macbride Restoration Project

2001 SPORTFISH RESTORATION AWARDS

Sport Fishery Development and Management

  • California Department of Fish and Game – North Coast Region-Habitat Improvement

Research and Surveys

  • Missouri Department of Conservation – Restoration and Enhancement of the Lake Taneycomo Trout Fishery

Aquatic Education

  • South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – South Carolina Reel Kids

Honorable Mention Projects

  • Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources – 1. Reconstruction of depression era sugar cane cargo pier as a conversion top public fishing and 2. Reconstruction of a largemouth bass hatchery to provide a stable source of fingerlings which are required to support a fishery

2000 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Restoration of Lake Ahquabi

Research and Surveys

  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Protection of Reservoirs from Zebra Mussel Introduction Resulting from Hatchery Activities

Aquatic Education (Tie)

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Marine Research Institute – Florida Boater’s Guide Series
  • South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks – Fishing Guide to the Black Hills of South Dakota

1999 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife and New York Department of Environmental Conservation – Restoration of Salmonid Fisheries in Lake Champlain

Research and Surveys

  • Colorado Division of Wildlife – Development of procedures to teat for Tiactinomyxon axtinospores in flowing water below Colorado Reservoirs

Aquatic Education

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – The Construction and Opening of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

1998 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission – Aquatic Habitat Program

Research and Surveys

  • Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks – Evaluation of Regulations Restricting Crappie Harvest

Aquatic Education

  • Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Marben Public Fishing Area Project

1997 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • Wyoming Game and Fish Department*

Research and Surveys

  • South Carolina Department of Natural Resources*

Aquatic Education

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department*

* Project details not available.

1996 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • Colorado Division of Wildlife – San Juan River Rehabilitation

Research and Surveys

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University – Intensive Culture of Walleye Fry and Fingerlings

Aquatic Education

  • Ohio River Fisheries Management Team – Ohio River Fishing Guide

1995 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • Arizona Game and Fish Commission – Lake Havasu Fisheries Improvement Project

Research and Surveys

  • California Department of Fish and Game – Striped Bass Population Studies

Aquatic Education

  • Arkansas Game and Fish Commission – Mobile Aquarium Project

1993 Sportfish Restoration Awards

Sport Fish Development and Management

  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – Urban Fishing Program

Research and Surveys

  • Ohio Division of Wildlife – Daphnia Production Techniques for Rearing Fingerling Walleye and Saugeye

Aquatic Education

  • Iowa Division of Fish and Wildlife – Fish Iowa, A Comprehensive Aquatic Education Program

Outstanding Project of the Year (Note –Category was discontinued after this year)

  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife – St. Joseph River Interstate Anadromous Fish Project

1990 Sportfish Restoration Award

Outstanding Project of the Year

  • Georgia Game and Fish Division – No other details available at this time