OSHKOSH, Wisconsin (DATE) – For Learn 2 Fish With Us, a local nonprofit committed to educating and inspiring beginner and experienced anglers, 2016 has proven to be the organization’s most successful year yet. Through recently attained 501(c)3 status, the support of a local, seven-person board of directors and redoubled marketing efforts, Learn 2 Fish With Us was able to reach 4,211 youth and 1,737 adults through 32 free, educational fishing clinics—the highest number of clinics for the nonprofit ever.

For Greg Karch, founder of Learn 2 Fish With Us and certified angler educator and instructor, 2016 has paved the way for increased programming in the coming years. “We’ve been working hard to lay a strong foundation for the nonprofit so we can continue to grow the sport of fishing,” he said. “At the end of the day, we work to bring kids and parents together to experience the great outdoors, and I’m excited to reach even more families in 2017.”

Learn 2 Fish With Us recently held a recognition dinner to thank volunteers who helped with 2016 fishing clinics. Now, thanks to a new partnership with the Volunteer Center of Northeast Wisconsin that will help recruit additional volunteers, families interested in learning to fish can look forward to more free clinics in 2017. Angler education will also enter the digital space next year, with online training modules in the works along with easy event sign-up and reminders. Visit Learn2FishWithUs.com for a calendar of upcoming events and more information about the nonprofit.

Learn 2 Fish With Us would like to thank the sponsors that make its programming possible: Shakespeare & Berkley, Dave’s Musky Club, National Professional Angler Association, Future Angler Foundation, Thrivent Financial and the James J. and Rosanne C. Keller Family Foundation. Additional sponsors include Off Shore Tackle Company, Plano, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Tru Turn and more. Greg Karch, David Westmark, Patti Purcell, Ryan Burnett and Lindsey Heinz served on the Learn 2 Fish With Us board of directors in 2016.