Important Note: The act of catching fish alone is not sufficient evidence to qualify for induction; THE WORLD RECORDS PROGRAM provides for such recognition.

DEFINITIONS OF RECOGNITION CATEGORIES
ENSHRINEMENT. Considered are persons who have had a lasting National or World impact to the benefit of freshwater sportfishing.

LEGENDARY ANGLERS: Considered are persons who have had at least regional achievement in their endeavors to have a lasting impact to benefit freshwater sportfishing.

LEGENDARY COMMUNICATORS: Considered are persons who have developed a unique communication means or avenue which was instrumental in introducing fishing to the public or in maintaining public interest or awareness.

LEGENDARY GUIDES: Considered are persons who have gained, by their expertise and professionalism, a status of credibility and immortality judged so by their customers, the region and/or their peers.

ORGANIZATIONAL/GOVERNMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION: Considered are organizations or government entities which have demonstrated and/or performed a valuable service or act to benefit freshwater sportfishing within its jurisdiction or the boundaries of its organization whether local, regional or national.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations for their programs benefitting freshwater angling which clearly are not covered by other recognition categories.

RULES AND GUIDELINES
Read carefully . . . All nominations must be submitted on official forms. Nominations made verbally, or by note or letter, will not be considered.

Important:
The Hall's national volunteer Awards Committee is not in a position to enter into extensive research about a candidate or search for his/her photos for publicity or display. This process is the responsibility of the nominator.

-A photo of the candidate must be submitted. Preferably a head and shoulders shot (an action shot is acceptable) 11"x14" in size for enshrinees and 8"x10" for other individuals nominated. If not available, other sizes are acceptable that can be enlarged or reduced to fit the Hall's display racks. Color is preferable, but black and white is acceptable.

-Submit a brief biography of the candidate. Extensive information encompassing a candidate's personal life or a list of academic achievements (unless applicable) is not a criteria for consideration.

-Submit a resume of the candidate's achievements and reasons why he/she deserves recognition because such candidate has accomplished or achieved what has or will benefit the sport of freshwater fishing, its fraternity or related fields, or the industry.

-Achievement in fields of endeavor other than in the sport of angling or its related fields will be disregarded and not considered.

SUBMISSIONS CHECKLIST

Have you sent?

• Page 1 - Form - Vital Statistics
• Photo
• Brief Biography
• Resume of outstanding accomplishments
• Any additional supporting information, testimonials, or samples for file. (Send photocopies rather than originals -- no returns.)

THE PROCESS DEFINED
A lengthy or bulky nomination package is not insurance or guarantee of closer or more intense consideration by the electors.

Basically, three nomination pieces -- vital statistics, biography and resume are reviewed for eligibility and possible change of induction category.

The National Committee of electors, consisting of eleven persons from the freshwater sportfishing industry, represents the nation's outstanding and knowledgeable communicators, biologists, educators, as well as representatives of the fish equipment sector, fisheries sciences, and conservation. At the annual meeting, the eleven electors evaluate and act on nomination information/package. The three-day session ultimately results in secret balloting of dozens of candidates. Only a few garner enough votes for induction.

Unsuccessful candidates remain in the "hopper" for future years' consideration for up to five years.

Public release of inductees is announced in February. At such time nominators may inquire how their candidate fared.

Deadline for nomination applications for all categories is August 15, to be acted upon for the upcoming year's induction honors.

Suitable plaque awards are awarded by various avenues of presentation to living inductees. Photo and text of inductees is displayed in the Hall of Fame Recognition building. The decisions of the Awards Committee shall be final.

RECOGNITION CRITERIA
General criteria for all categories of Awards Recognition.

~a Individuals and organizations are recognized for outstanding achievements in fishing, science, education, conservation, communications, technology, or other areas related to freshwater sportfishing in five specific categories:

• Enshrinement
• Legendary Angler
• Legendary Communicator
• Legendary Guide
• Organizational and/or Governmental Entity
• Special Recognition

Considerations include:

• Conduct which exemplifies high moral and ethical standards consonant with the purposes of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
• Respect for the broad spectrum of interests of freshwater sportfishing.
• Activities which serve as motivation to others and which reflect the honor and dignity of freshwater sportfishing.
• Activities that reflect respect for and devotion to freshwater sportfishing, rather than the fulfillment of a need for personal aggrandizement or fame.

ENSHRINEMENT CATEGORY GUIDELINES

• Recognized as a pioneer in an essential aspect of freshwater sportfishing. Contributed a lasting and significant national or international impact to the benefit of freshwater sportfishing.
• Recognized for excellence and innovation of contributions to freshwater sportfishing.
• Magnitude or importance of endeavors stand out among contemporaries as being avant-garde, unparalleled, unprecedented, transcendent, and served as an inspiration to others.
• Recognized for contributions which are singular and distinct, without which some critical aspect of freshwater sportfishing, as it is currently known, would likely not have existed.

LEGENDARY ANGLER CATEGORY GUIDELINES

• Performed a lasting achievement of regional impact in freshwater sportfishing.
• Demonstrated skills or provided efforts which stand out among other anglers or others who contributed to the advancement of freshwater sportfishing.
• Enhanced the enjoyment of freshwater sportfishing for others through development of techniques or technologies or contributions to freshwater sportfishing.
• Provided energy, talent, and dedication which promote and/or benefit freshwater sportfishing.

LEGENDARY COMMUNICATOR GUIDELINES

• Has performed a lasting achievement of at least a regional impact in communication of freshwater sportfishing topics.
• Has promoted freshwater sportfishing to the public, in general, through effective communication through writing, radio, and/or television broadcasting, photography, video productions, etc.
• Has greatly influenced other communicators and has served as a model exemplar to encourage ethical and responsible public communication activities.
• Has introduced youngsters and adults to the sport of freshwater fishing through effective communication skills. Provided energies, talents, support, and dedication to promote and/or benefit freshwater sportfishing.
• Has developed a unique communication means or avenue which was instrumental in introducing fishing to the public or in maintaining public interest or awareness.
• Was instrumental in publicizing a cause to the public, where the cause was critical and helpful in advancing fishing or conservation interests.

LEGENDARY GUIDE CATEGORY GUIDELINES

• Through expertise and professionalism, gained a status of credibility and immortality judged by clients, the region, and/or peers.
• Maintained a large part of his or her livelihood by freshwater sportfishing guiding. Demonstrated his or her all-around skills and long-term success in the guiding business, and has served and influenced multiple generations of anglers.
• Does not "compete" with clients. Treats clients with patience, respect and dignity.
• Made a significant personal and lasting contribution to the guiding profession, as well as to freshwater sportfishing, and may have introduced some new concept.
• Has always demonstrated the utmost respect for onthe-water safety and comfort of clients.
• Demonstrated consistency in putting clients on fish and keeping clients in the best possible position to catch fish.
• Extensively studies the waters he or she fishes. Has an educational reputation.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECOGNITION GUIDELINES

• An agency or organization that has demonstrated and/or performed a valuable service or act to benefit freshwater sportfish ing within its jurisdiction or the boundaries of its organization whether local, state, regional, national or international.
• To be recognized, the organization or governmental agency must have a proven track record. There must be long-term action, participation, benefits, etc., for fisheries and/or freshwater sportfishing for many years.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION CATEGORY GUIDELINES

• This category provides recognition opportunities for actions of individuals, groups, or organizations which have clearly benefitted fisheries or freshwater sportfishing, where such actions do not clearly fall into other specific recognition categories.
• Individuals or organizations who "take special risks" or who take stands or make decisions which may have been politically unpopular at the time, but which eventually are shown to have been prudent and have produced positive results for fisheries and/or freshwater sportfishing, may also be recognized in this category.
• To be recognized, the individuals or organizations must have a proven track record with long-term benefits for fisheries and/or freshwater sportfishing.

National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame A non-profit public service organization founded in 1960. Incorporated 1970 as a museum educational 501(c)(3) public supported, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the portrayal and conservation of the historic and contemporary aspects of freshwater sportfshing and its participants.