Angling is a fantastic way to connect people with nature, but as we’ve seen in recent years, times are changing and the number of rod license sales are beginning to fall.
Fishing clubs need to be proactive in ensuring that future generations can enjoy the sport just as much as those who came before them.
There are many ways that your angling club can make a positive impact now and set the stage for long-term sustainability, from securing available funding to improving local habitats.
Here are some practical steps your fishing club can take to safeguard its future and ensure that the sport thrives for years to come.
Explore Available Funding
One of the first things you can do to ensure your fishing club has a bright future is to stay on top of maintenance and continuously strive to improve the club’s facilities… but that’s hard to do with limited resources. Fortunately, there are a variety of funding options available to help:
Environmental Organisations: Non-profit organizations like The Environment Agency Fisheries Improvement Programme and conservation groups frequently offer financial support for projects that improve habitats, water quality, and fish populations.
Fishing Governing Body: Many angling associations and NGOs, such as the Angling Trust, offer funding opportunities or can connect you with grant programs aimed at protecting and improving the club.
Crowdfunding and Local Business Support: If grant funding isn’t enough, consider setting up crowdfunding campaigns for specific projects or partnering with local businesses to sponsor club improvements. Read our guide on how to increase fishing club donations.
Habitat Improvement Projects
Undertaking habitat improvement projects not only enhances the quality of your venues but also ensures a long-lasting, sustainable environment for the fish species you stock. There are also many wider implications; remember fish aren’t the only species in the river. Habitat projects benefit birds, mammals, plants and everything else we love seeing when we wander down the river!
Venue Restoration: Over time, the elements can lead to pegs rotting away and paths becoming uneven. Prioritise projects that make it safer and more accessible for anglers to fish your waters; especially when making sure the older generations can still access the bank and getting kids fishing.
Invasive Animal Control: Protecting local fish species may require actively managing invasive plants or animals that disrupt native ecosystems. Work with conservation bodies to create strategies for the removal or control of invasive animals in your waters, and encourage anglers to report anything that doesn’t look right.
Catch Returns: This helps monitor and manage the health of fish stocks at your venues. The process can be as simple as anglers using the Catch Returns form in the Clubmate App to submit the information.
Increase Junior Angling Participation
The future of your angling club relies on the next generation of anglers, so a great way to ensure long-term sustainability is to get young people and the broader community involved in your club. Consider holding family-friendly fishing events or competitions aimed at introducing young people to angling. Offering beginner-friendly tutorials and hands-on fishing experiences can inspire future anglers.
A great example is when GJ Fisheries Manchester began offering free fishing for young people at one of their venues. This resulted in children enjoying more than 600 hours of fishing throughout the summer of 2024! The initiative worked so well that they plan on keeping their ‘kids fish free’ campaign running all year round to keep angling accessible to young people and families.
Another excellent campaign is that of Canal and River Trust Angling and their National Celebration Of Young People and Fishing. They host it every year and the aim is to make sure participants have a fun day, land a few fish, and meet new friends.
Plan for Succession
Succession planning prepares individuals to take on key leadership roles within your club when current leaders step down or retire. It’s critical to preserve knowledge, values, and traditions at the club, embrace more modern methods and develop young, driven talent. There’s every chance that one of those first-time anglers will grow into bailiffing, committee work and maybe even a career in angling.
Establish a diverse and skilled committee to ensure that the club’s decision-making process is inclusive and future-focused. Look into planning for projects through the lens of generational success, not just this season. Recruit volunteers who are passionate and dedicated to the sport and ease them into positions of responsibility with training and guidance instead of waiting until the day you have to find someone to fill a vital position!
Securing a bright angling future for your fishing club requires a proactive approach, but the rewards are worth it. By securing funding, improving habitats, involving junior anglers, and planning for the future, your club will not only thrive but also leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Clubmate is the go-to fishing club management software trusted by nearly 100,000 anglers and 1500+ fishing club committee members and bailiffs. We’ll help you remove unnecessary paperwork, increase revenue and take back your spare time with our simple-to-use, cloud-based system designed specifically for fishing clubs and fisheries. Book a 1-2-1 demo with one of our fishing club experts or see what people have to say about working with us.
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