Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Offers Fishery Management Scholarships

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board (BFHOF) announced that it is instituting a college scholarship program for students seeking a degree in a natural resource field. The scholarships aim to provide financial resources for high school and college bass anglers looking to pursue careers in the fishery management field.

"Within many fishery management agencies, there is a definitive need to fill vacant positions with qualified individuals who understand and have a passion for both the sport of bass fishing and the science needed to manage those fisheries," BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz said in a press release. "Spearheaded by Gene Gilliland, Casey Shedd, and our Conservation Committee, this new scholarship program fits in ideally with the Hall’s mission of celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport by supporting those whose future career path will focus on healthy fisheries, needed access, and clean rivers, lakes and reservoirs."

Up to $15,000 will be awarded in July 2023 to the selected applicants. Scholarship applicants must be high school seniors who have committed to enroll or be undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a four-year college, university, or accredited graduate program. They must declare or have declared a major in biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, marine science, or a closely related natural resources field. BFHOF is also asking for a short essay explaining their career fishery management goals and to describe their dream agency job, along with proof of membership in a recognized bass fishing organization or provide a copy of a valid fishing license.

Applications for the scholarship are now being accepted at bassfishinghof.com/scholarship.