Following the success of its first year, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s Take Me Fishing™ campaign is asking boaters and anglers to cast their votes in its 2015 America’s Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes features several fishing sites in Florida and aims to increase awareness of great family-friendly parks across the country to get more families out on the water fishing and boating.
Florida is leading the way right now but needs people to share a little love. Participants could win a Walt Disney World fishing excursion!
“Florida is well-known as the Fishing Capital of the World, with approximately three times as many anglers from outside the state coming to fish here than to any other state.” said Tom Champeau, director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “In addition, we have a great diversity of both saltwater and freshwater recreational species, and the facilities, guides and stores to support anglers and boaters. We are pleased that RBFF saw fit to include more Sunshine State destinations in the program than for any other state. Now it is up to you to select your favorite and vote.”
The 2015 Sweepstakes offers 276 pre-selected family-friendly parks from across the U.S., including seven from Florida. Entrants can vote daily for the three parks they feel offer the best experience, based on family amenities, location and the likeliness to catch a fish or enjoy a day on the water. At the end of five weeks, the parks with the most votes will be placed on the list of 2015 America’s Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots, which RBFF will use to entice families and newcomers to visit during National Fishing and Boating Week in June, as well as throughout summer. The Florida sites featured in the 2015 promotion are:
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Blue Spring State Park
- Everglades National Park
- Lake Kissimmee State Park
- Lake Talquin State Park
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
- Tropical Park Fish Management Area
“I am thrilled that five state parks are included in this list of contenders for the top fishing and boating spots in America,” said Donald Forgione, director of the Florida Park Service. “I encourage everyone to vote for their favorite and spend their spring and summer enjoying our state parks and outdoor areas.”
These areas represent some great fishing and boating opportunities for families that are located near large metropolitan areas. They are managed variously by the Department of Environmental Protection (Florida State Parks), the FWC (Fish Management Areas) and the U.S. National Park Service (National Parks) but all provide the necessary facilities for families to enjoy the outdoors.
Those who enter the sweepstakes will have a chance to win a weekly prize: a Get Started Fishing Kit, including two South Bend® Spinning Combos, an Eagle Claw® Tackle Kit, as well as a Take Me Fishing hat, tumbler, backpack and luggage tag. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a memory-making experience from Take Me Fishing: a 3-night, 4-day stay for four at the Walt Disney World® Resort, including a guided fishing excursion. Full prize information can be found in the Official Rules.
Take Me Fishing™ plays a critical role in introducing families and newcomers to boating and fishing, which has helped generate funds distributed to the states for aquatic conservation efforts in 2014. The campaign increases awareness of the need to protect, conserve and restore the nation’s aquatic resources by encouraging participation in recreational boating and fishing.
To learn more about the sweepstakes and to vote for your favorite parks, visit America’s Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots, or go to TakeMeFishing.org/Community and select “America’s Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots.”