To the more than 33 million Americans who enjoy angling, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s More Fish Campaign sounds like a pretty good deal. Bass Pro Shops, the first company to contribute to the initiative when it began in 2006, continues that support today by raising money for fish habitat during the More Fish Conservation Month this February.
“The More Fish month is one of our conservation months and it gives Bass Pro customers the opportunity to help with fish habitat projects of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,” said Martin MacDonald, director of conservation for Bass Pro Shops. “Donations made by customers at our stores across the U.S. are matched by Bass Pro Shops and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.”
During February, 61 Bass Pro Shops stores across the country are offering customers an opportunity to donate $2 to the More Fish Campaign. A chance to win a $500 Bass Pro Shops gift card is available to those who complete an entry form.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Bass Pro Shops, through the Johnny Morris Conservation Creel, will provide a matching donation for every dollar raised during this promotion. Money raised for the More Fish Campaign is used to protect, restore and enhance our nation’s fisheries with the ultimate goal to increase populations of healthy fish.
Since the launch of the More Fish Campaign, 18 fish habitat partnerships have been approved by the National Fish Habitat Board, and 508 fish habitat projects have been completed in 46 states. The first More Fish habitat project for freshwater reservoirs took place at Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri. The goal of that effort was to supplement the 50-year-old lake’s deteriorating habitat with fish attracting stumps, rocks and Christmas trees. The project, which is now complete, includes 2,100 new submerged structures. Anglers can find these good fishing areas on a fish-attractor map.
The More Fish Campaign is one of several fisheries conservation efforts that Bass Pro Shops contributes to on behalf of its key initiatives:
• Freshwater fisheries habitat
• Marine fisheries policy
• Engaging in fisheries issues that affect America’s sportsmen.
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris has made giving back to conservation a hallmark of the company since he first began selling fishing tackle in the back of his dad’s liquor store in 1971. Over the course of several decades, Johnny has dedicated himself to inspiring people, especially youth and families, to love, enjoy and conserve the great outdoors.
Photo Caption: Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri is a More Fish Campaign success story. With 2,100 new fish-attracting stumps, rocks and Christmas trees that are easily located on a map, anglers are catching some impressive largemouth bass.
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 83 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 116 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com), which has produced the number one selling brand of fishing boats for more than 35 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com), voted number six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World’s Best Hotels for Families. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.