Blue Ribbon Council outlines outreach calendar tied to fish-production plan and mentoring push

Trina Hedrick, cold water sport fish coordinator, presented an outreach calendar and communications strategy to the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council on Jan. 15, linking a series of monthly themes to the division’s fish production effort.

Hedrick said the division expects a new production pipeline to produce first stocked fish in 2028, and that early outreach would help the public understand why stocking changes or hatchery operations might occur. "It's going to guide what the division will be doing in terms of how we're gonna raise fish, how we're gonna stock them," she said, noting the importance of explaining changes before they appear in stockings.

The council agreed on several near-term outreach priorities: use the Blue Ribbon economic study as a handout and talking point at Fishing Day on the Hill (mid-February); coordinate with the Outdoor Rec Day (Feb. 6) and the fly-fishing expo (April 10–11); and run mentoring and "take a kid fishing" messages in late spring to increase license sales and long-term angler retention.

Staff asked for volunteers to lead an outreach seminar in March and to help staff tables at events. Faith Jolley (public information officer) offered the regional outreach team’s support for marketing (social media, Eventbrite and printed flyers) and recommended staff or volunteers personally invite legislators and staff to booth events.

Council members asked staff to clarify objectives for each outing and to budget modest hospitality (e.g., coffee or donuts) to increase turnout among legislators’ staff. Hedrick said the division would follow up with the legislative liaison and with local clubs to solidify event staffing.

Next steps: DWR staff will circulate an event sign-up and confirm who can attend Fishing Day on the Hill and Outdoor Rec Day; a more detailed presentation on the fish production effort is scheduled for the June meeting.