(June 3, 2025) – Washington D.C. –Yesterday, 70 attendees took half within the Congressional Sportsmen’s Basis’s (CSF) annual Congressional Fishing Competitors. Hosted within the Nationwide Harbor, the Congressional Fishing Competitors brings angling group companions and stakeholders collectively to benefit from the nice open air and likewise gives an academic expertise on necessary fisheries coverage matters and the conservation worth of leisure fishing for attendees.
This 12 months, the anglers collaborating within the Congressional Fishing Competitors sought to catch blue catfish. Though a preferred goal species for anglers in different areas of the nation the place they’re native, blue catfish are an invasive species within the Chesapeake Bay (Bay) and current a menace to the ecosystem. The pleasant competitors provided a platform to speak concerning the challenges of managing blue catfish whereas additionally offering a chance to take away dozens of the nuisance fish from the Bay ecosystem. The occasion was additionally held in alignment with Nationwide Fishing and Boating Week this week – a chance to collectively spotlight the function that anglers play in conservation, and the significance of entry to the outside and the wellness of our nation’s pure assets.
“As we work to advance fisheries administration, entry for anglers throughout the nation, and conservation of our nation’s aquatic assets, occasions like this assist us to spotlight actual world coverage challenges,” stated CSF’s Senior Director of Fisheries Coverage Chris Horton. “This pleasant fishing match not solely allowed us to speak concerning the monumental challenges now we have throughout the nation with aquatic invasive species, it additionally supplied the chance for individuals to make a small contribution in direction of decreasing the threats these fish current for the Bay.”
After attendees gathered on the marina within the brisk early morning, 11 constitution boats took anglers out into the Potomac River and its tributaries for the catch and hold occasion. In complete, there have been greater than 125 blue catfish harvested, with the biggest blue catfish weighing in at 15.4 kilos. Bragging rights additionally went to the angler who caught essentially the most fish throughout the day, which was 15 fish.
“The Congressional Fishing Competitors continues to exceed our expectations yearly, and we had been lucky to be joined by so many nice companions as we speak,” stated CSF’s Director of Federal Coverage Taylor Schmitz. “Working alongside these companions, CSF’s work to guard and promote our nation’s unbelievable time-honored traditions and conservation efforts has led to many victories. On the water as we speak, we had the chance to have a good time these victories, contribute on to Bay conservation efforts, and to set our imaginative and prescient ahead on what’s subsequent.”
Fishing Competitors Awards
Most Fish Caught
Alex Feldman – 15 blue catfish
Largest Fish Caught
Rob Ogle – 15.4 pound blue catfish
Most Distinctive Catch
Patrick Delaney – inexperienced soldier man figurine (eradicating trash from the Potomac as effectively!)
CSF wish to specific our gratitude to the sponsors who made this occasion potential. Title Sponsors embrace the American Sportfishing Affiliation; Bass Professional Retailers; Cabela’s; Kelly Electrical; Kelly HVAC, Inc.; The Nature Conservancy; Out of doors Sportsman Group; Richard Childress Racing; and Yamaha Marine. Host Sponsors embrace Dallas Safari Membership; Geese Limitless; Gun Dealer; Hornady; Worldwide Order of T. Roosevelt; Nationwide Capturing Sports activities Basis; Nuclear Vitality Institute; Safari Membership Worldwide; Scheels; Shimano; and The Kinetic Group. Co-Host Sponsors embrace Bonefish & Tarpon Belief; Strata Clear Vitality; and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
