MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the Angler Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (Angler R3) grant program. Funding from the grant program is used to help grow the number of anglers in Wisconsin and expand angling activities.

Past recipients have used this grant to support in-depth angler education programs at schools, fly fishing classes for women and veterans, training for people promoting accessible fishing and to expand fishing programs at camps for children. Community and recreation centers also are good fits for these programs.

Programs for adults who never learned how to fish as well as youth programs that go beyond one-day events will also be considered.

Grant cycles are for two years, and funding will become available to the recipient once a grant agreement is signed by all parties, approximately one year after the application is submitted.

As a reimbursement grant, only expenses incurred after the grant agreement is signed will be covered. A total of $30,000 is available for projects, with individual grant awards up to $5,000.

This grant is supported by the federal Sport Fish Restoration fund, which is generated by an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.

Application materials are available for download through the DNR’s Angler R3 Grant Program webpage. The deadline to submit grant applications is 11:59 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the guidance document to submit a successful grant application.