National directory
Trophy and master angler programs
Requirements, rewards, evidence rules, and the official application link for 53 programs. Details are as of 2026; confirm on the official page before you submit.
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42 states covered · pick one to jump to its programs
Alabama 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler / Trophy Angler RecognitionMin length/weight per species; AL public or private waters; within 3 months | ADCNR Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries | Trophy and master angler | Name/photo on website and annual report | Free | No (mail PDF) |
Alaska 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy Fish ProgramSpecies min weights (adult/youth); or C&R length | ADF&G Sport Fish | Trophy and master angler | Certificate | Free | No (email affidavit) |
Arizona 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Fish of the YearLargest per species per year; C&R length or weighed | AZ Game & Fish | State record, Trophy and master angler | Listing on official board | Free | Form in regs PDF |
Arkansas 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler ProgramMin weights in 8 categories; Certified Master = 4 categories | AGFC | Trophy and master angler | Pin per category; framed cert plus coin | Free | Yes |
Colorado 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler AwardsSpecies min lengths (10-40"); within 60 days | CPW | Trophy and master angler | Certificate plus patch (1/yr) | Free | Yes (online only) |
Connecticut 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy Fish Award Program (inland and marine)Species minimums; within 30 days; harvest or C&R | CT DEEP | Trophy and master angler | Certificate; bronze/silver/gold pins at 1/5/10; Angler of Year | Free | Yes (portal) |
Delaware 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament (Citations, Elite Angler, Live Release, Youth)Weigh at official station; Elite = 5 species/yr | DNREC | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Framed Duane Raver citation, pins, Big Fish plaques | Free | No (mail) |
Florida 3
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Catch33 freshwater species min length/weight; Specialist/Master/Elite tiers | FWC | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Digital certificate | Free | Yes |
| Catch a Florida Memory (Saltwater Grand Slam / Reel Big Fish / Life List)3 species in 24 hrs (9 slam types); 30 species minimums; 70-species life list | FWC | Slam or challenge, Trophy and master angler | Certificates, decals, metal fish decor | Free | Yes |
| TrophyCatchLargemouth 8 lb or larger (Lunker/Trophy/Hall of Fame tiers) | FWC | Trophy and master angler | Prizes, gift cards, replica mount (HOF) | Free | Yes (web plus app) |
Georgia 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Angler Award (Adult/Youth/Trophy Bass/PFA Records)Species minimums; trophy bass 13 lb or larger | GA DNR WRD | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Certificate, hat (up to 3), t-shirt, prize drawing | Free | Yes |
Illinois 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Fishing Awards (Grand Slam, Master Angler, Big Fish, C&R, Junior)Min lengths; Grand Slam = 5 of 6 family groups | IDNR / ifishillinois | Slam or challenge, Trophy and master angler, Youth | Recognition | Free | No (mail) |
Indiana 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish of the Year / Record FishLongest per species per year; non-relative witness | Indiana DNR | State record, Trophy and master angler | Certificate plus jacket patch | Free | Yes |
Iowa 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler (Master/Species Specialist/Silver/Gold)Species min lengths; 5 or 10 species tiers | Iowa DNR | Trophy and master angler | Certificate, decal, medallion | Free | Yes (portal with public entries DB) |
Kansas 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler AwardSpecies min lengths (e.g., LMB 23") | KDWP | Trophy and master angler | Certificate | Free | No (mail) |
Kentucky 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy Fish Program / Master AnglerMin lengths; Master = 3 species; within 60 days | KDFWR | Trophy and master angler | Patch, sticker, certificate | Free | Yes (My Profile) |
Louisiana 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Fish Records / Fish of the YearTop-10 by weight per species; 2 witnesses; 60 days | LA Outdoor Writers Assn (not LDWF) | State record, Trophy and master angler | Certificate; Fish of the Year | $27 | Mail (PayPal fee) |
Maine 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The One That Didn't Get Away ClubSpecies min weights; warden verification (photo OK for charr) | The Maine Sportsman magazine | Trophy and master angler | Patch | Free | No (mail) |
Maryland 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FishMaryland (Angler / Expert / Master Angler Milestones)60+ species, 5 categories incl. C&R and invasive; Master = 10 species | Maryland DNR (Bass Pro sponsor) | Trophy and master angler | Certificates, listing; 34 Master Anglers as of Aug 2026 | Free | Yes |
Massachusetts 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Sportfishing Awards ProgramSpecies minimums (adult/youth); keep or C&R; 30 days | MassWildlife | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Bronze pin; gold pin plus plaque for largest; Angler of Year | Free | Yes |
Michigan 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler45+ species min lengths; catch-keep and C&R | Michigan DNR | Trophy and master angler | Annual patch (2026 patch out) | Free | Yes (Survey123) |
Minnesota 2
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Master Angler (Master/Expert/Grand Master)1/3/5 trophy species in calendar year; adult and youth | MN Fishing Museum & Hall of Fame | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Web listing plus certificate | Free | Yes (browser cert) |
| Master Angler ProgramMembers; species minimums | Women Anglers of Minnesota | Trophy and master angler | Recognition | Membership | Yes |
Missouri 2
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Released a LunkerRelease a large trout | MDC | Trophy and master angler | Patch | Free | Yes |
| Master Angler AwardSpecies min weight/length (e.g., LMB 22"/6 lb) | MDC | Trophy and master angler | Certificate | Free | Yes (self-print) |
Nebraska 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler AwardsSpecies length/weight (e.g., LMB 20"/5 lb) | NE Game & Parks | Trophy and master angler | Certificate; C&R pin | Free | Yes |
Nevada 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy Fish ProgramSpecies min weights; 2 witnesses; 60 days | NDOW | Trophy and master angler | Certificate; Trophy Fish Book | Free | No (mail/email form, 2026 version) |
New Hampshire 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy Fish Program21 freshwater plus 7 saltwater categories; kept or released | NH Fish & Game | Trophy and master angler | Patch; certificate for largest per category | Free | No (form) |
New Jersey 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skillful Angler Program (Adult, Junior, C&R, First Fish, Specialist/Master/Elite, Slams)43 species; 30 days; weighed by authorized agent (adult/junior) | NJDEP Fish & Wildlife | First fish, Slam or challenge, Trophy and master angler, Youth | Certificate plus patch | Free | Email/mail |
New Mexico 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler Program26 species minimums | NMDGF | Trophy and master angler | Award | Free | Form |
New York 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angler Achievement Awards (Angler / Youth / State Record)40 species min lengths; 30 days | NYSDEC | State record, Trophy and master angler, Youth | Species stickers ("collect all 40"); plaque/pin for records | Free | Yes |
North Carolina 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC Angler Recognition Program (NCARP)Species min weight or length; youth 15 and under exempt from minimums; Master Angler… | NC Wildlife Resources Commission | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Downloadable certificate; Master Angler cert plus patch | Free | Yes (Qualtrics) |
North Dakota 2
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catch and Release ClubMin lengths; witness; up to 5/species/yr | ND Game & Fish | Trophy and master angler | Sticker plus certificate | Free | No |
| Whopper ClubSpecies min weights; certified scale; 1 per species lifetime; 90 days | ND Game & Fish | Trophy and master angler | Sticker plus certificate | Free | No (mail card) |
Ohio 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Ohio26 species min lengths; Master Angler = 4 species/yr; 50th year 2026 | ODNR | Trophy and master angler | Annual pin; Master Angler pin (10,127 pins in 2025) | Free | Yes (fishohio.gov) |
Oklahoma 2
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler Award5 approved Trophy Angler awards (up to 2 same species) | ODWC | Trophy and master angler | Digital cert plus pin/coin | Free | Yes |
| Trophy Angler AwardSpecies min lengths; 30 days | ODWC | Trophy and master angler | Digital certificate plus web listing | Free | Yes |
Pennsylvania 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angler Award (Senior / Junior / Catch-and-Release)Species min weights (C&R by length); PA public waters | PA Fish & Boat Commission | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Certificate plus 1 patch/yr | Free | No (mail PDF) |
Rhode Island 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Fish Award Program (fresh and salt)Species minimums; official weigh stations | RIDEM | Trophy and master angler | Award | Free | No |
South Carolina 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angler Recognition Program (incl. Fintastic Youth)6 species (LMB 10 lb/26", striper 40 lb/45", etc.) | SCDNR | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Certificate | Free | Yes |
South Dakota 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proud Angler (incl. C&R award)Trophy minimums | SD GFP | Trophy and master angler | Recognition/certificate | Free | Yes |
Tennessee 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Angler Recognition Program (TARP)Species min lengths, any age; 10,000th cert Apr 2026 | TWRA | Trophy and master angler | Tomelleri-art certificate | Free | Form |
Texas 2
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angler Recognition Program (Big Fish, Elite Angler, First Fish, Outstanding Angler, C&R and water-body records)Species trophy minimums; Elite = 5 species lifetime | TPWD | First fish, State record, Trophy and master angler | Certificates | Free | Yes |
| Toyota ShareLunker (Lunker/Elite/Legend/Legacy Class)LMB 8 lb or 24"; 10+ lb; 13+ lb; 13+ lb donated Jan-Mar | TPWD | Trophy and master angler | Decals, Catch Kit, $5,000 drawing, VIP | Free | Yes (web plus mobile app) |
Vermont 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler Program34 species min lengths (youth lower); 5 species/yr = Master pin | VT Fish & Wildlife | Trophy and master angler, Youth | Certificate; annual report; lapel pin | Free | Yes |
Virginia 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Angler Recognition Program (Trophy citations, Master/Expert Angler, Angler of Month/Year)Species minimums by length or weight; since 1963; about 6,000 citations/yr | VA DWR | Trophy and master angler | Certificate citations; Master Angler levels (I-VI) | Free | Yes (Go Outdoors VA) |
West Virginia 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy Fish CitationSpecies min lengths; 60 days; 1 citation/species/yr | WV DNR | Trophy and master angler | Tomelleri-art citation (redesigned 2022) | Free | No (mail) |
Wisconsin 2
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hooked on Wisconsin Anglers' Club (Kept / Live Release / Mixed Bag)Min weight (kept) or length (live release); mixed bag = species count | WI DNR | Trophy and master angler | Patches, certificate, membership card; patch per 10 species | Free | No (mail) |
| Master Angler ProgramMembers; species minimums | Wisconsin Women Fish | Trophy and master angler | Recognition | Membership | Yes |
Wyoming 1
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Angler (Master/Trophy/Ultimate)Species min lengths; 5 species = Trophy, 10 = Ultimate | WY Game & Fish | Trophy and master angler | Certificates/medals | Free | Yes |
National 3
| Program | Organizer | Type | Reward | Cost | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGFA Master Angler Program (launched May 2026)Gold tier in 5 of 7 categories | IGFA | Trophy and master angler | Certificates, profile | n/a | Via IGFA |
| IGFA Slam and Trophy Clubs (Trout Grand Slam, Bass Royal Slam, etc.)Catches per IGFA rules | IGFA | Slam or challenge, Trophy and master angler | Hand-signed certificate; listing in World Record Game Fishes | IGFA fees | Printable app |
| Mepps Master AnglerSpecies min weights on Mepps lures; 4 species = Master, 10 = Expert | Mepps (Sheldons' Inc.) | Trophy and master angler | Patches and chevrons | Free | Yes |