Reel Into Fishing
Going beyond a basic introduction to the fundamentals of fishing by introducing youth to careers in the fishing and boating industry.
New Jersey, U.S.
Beginning in Ocean County, New Jersey, US in 2014, the Reel Into Fishing program has evolved into a 3-day, hands-on youth fishing experience and a collaboration between the IGFA Representatives and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic Counties and their respective 4-H Youth Development Programs. These 3-days build from experts in the field to a shore excursion day, complete with a factory tour of Viking Yachts, a field research station, or other industry-related organization, and finishes with a charter boat fishing trip. Thank you to the Michael J Levitt scholarship funds and the William J Healey Foundation for supporting these scholarship-based programs, allowing all youth to attend these camps at no charge.
To learn more about 2026's camp opportunities in New Jersey and how to register, please contact IGFA Education Coordinator Nick DeGennaro at [email protected].
Open to youth in grades 5 – 10
2026 Dates:
August 11-13, 2026 – Ocean County, NJ
August 18-20, 2026 – Burlington County, NJ
August 25-27, 2026 – Atlantic County, NJ
Florida, U.S.
The Reel Into Fishing program expanded to Palm Beach County, Florida, US, in 2024 and Martin County in 2025, thanks to IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer Nick Smith and his support for the program in partnership with the UF/IFAS Cooperative Extensions and their respective 4-H Youth Clubs. These programs follow the same 3-day structure as the New Jersey camps to show young anglers various career opportunities in the fishing and boating industry from experts in the field, including IGFA Captain Mike Holliday, while teaching them the basics of recreational fishing. Florida provides a plethora of valuable shore excursion tours, learning various trades they could pursue, including the historic Michael Rybovich & Sons boat building facility, Chittum Skiffs, and Crowder Rods. Camp will continue to expand to Hillsborough County, Florida, US in 2026, thanks to grant funds received from the FishAmerica Foundation. All Reel Into Fishing camps are provided free to participants thanks to the IGFA’s generous supporters
To learn more about 2026’s camp opportunities in Florida or apply for a scholarship, please contact IGFA Youth Angling Instructor, Joanna Olczyk, at [email protected].
Open to youth ages 10 - 14
2026 Dates:
March 16-18, 2026 – Palm Beach County, FL – Spring Camp
March 18-20, 2026 – Martin County, FL – Spring Camp
June 2-4, 2026 – Palm Beach County, FL – Summer Camp
June 9-11, 2026 – Hillsborough County, FL – Summer Camp
June 16-18, 2026 – Martin County, FL – Summer Camp
Michigan, U.S.
A new state will be added to the IGFA’s repertoire of Reel Into Fishing camps for 2026 in collaboration with 4-H Youth Development programs, thanks again to grant funds received from the FishAmerica Foundation. The IGFA will partner with Michigan State University’s Cooperative Extension in Macomb County and will bring the camp to the Great Lakes region and Lake Saint Clair. Initial curriculum conversations will involve a shore excursion visit to the local Bass Pro Shops and guest presenters from Michigan DNR and the Lake St Clair Walleye Association, who will also be hosting a Kids’ Summer Fishing Outing event the weekend before the camp, where the IGFA will provide Passports to Fishing learning stations! More to come as we develop this new camp opportunity.
Open to youth ages 10 - 14
2026 Dates:
July 28-30, 2026 – Macomb County, MI – Summer Camp
