PROGRAMS
Big Fish
A Summer of Fishing, Community & Wellness in Nature
Each year, Outdoor Afro’s Big Fish brings communities together across the country for a season of fishing adventures rooted in connection, curiosity, and joy outdoors. Big Fish invites people of all ages into fishing as a welcoming outdoor activity that can be shared across generations, families, and communities.
What Is Big Fish?
Big Fish is America’s largest fishing trip hosted by Outdoor Afro in America’s state and national parks, taking place between June and September. The overall goal of Big Fish is to introduce Black people to fishing as a wellness enhancing activity that they can enjoy for a lifetime, and to waterways in their communities. And this year, our participation goal is to host and introduce over 500 new fishers to fishing in at least 25 parks. To this end, Outdoor Afro Volunteers host fishing outings in communities across the country, helping participants:
• Explore local parks and waterways
• Learn beginner-friendly fishing techniques
• Understand permits and park resources, including which officials manage the parks
• Learn about local conservation and preservation efforts related to local waterways
• Improve health and wellness outdoors
• Spend meaningful time in community and nature
Each outing is designed to feel welcoming, relaxed, and accessible for all experience levels.
Help More Families Get Outside and Fish Together
Every Big Fish outing is powered by community. Your donation helps Outdoor Afro support Volunteer Leaders, provide fishing gear and educational resources, expand access to waterways, as well as state and national parks, and create welcoming, multigenerational, outdoor experiences for families across the country. A gift of any size helps more people build lasting relationships with nature, water, and one another. When you support Big Fish, you’re helping create more first casts, more community memories, and more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of fishing and water.
Whether someone is picking up a fishing rod for the first time or returning to a familiar tradition, Big Fish creates opportunities to slow down, learn together, and build lasting relationships with land and water.
Donate a Fishing Spot
Some of the best fishing knowledge lives in our community. Do you know a fishing spot that feels welcoming, accessible, beautiful, or meaningful? We’d love for you to share it with us.
We know that the location of the best fishing holes is coveted information among avid fishers. But you can’t fish every hole all the time—and this is for a great cause.
We’re currently gathering vetted fishing locations that Outdoor Afro leaders and participants can explore during future Big Fish outings. This kind of community knowledge is a powerful form of donation. Every shared location helps more people safely connect with water, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.
Want To Join A Trip?
Big Fish outings may include:
• Introductions to local fishing spots and park resources
• Beginner fishing instruction and casting tips (taught by expert volunteers or by outfitters)
• Fishing demonstrations (fly fishing, casting, crabbing, surf fishing, spearfishing, etc)
• Support navigating permits or required documents
• Opportunities to connect with park rangers and local experts
• Community storytelling and outdoor fellowship
Participants will also have opportunities to reflect on their experience and continue building their relationship with outdoor recreation long after the event ends.
Ready to go? The easiest way to stay connected with upcoming Big Fish events is through the Outdoor Afro app. Download the app, then use the search feature and type ‘Big Fish’ to:
• Discover trips near you
• Connect with Outdoor Afro leaders
• Explore fishing outings and outdoor events
• Stay plugged into the community all summer long
Share Your Story
Big Fish is also about storytelling. From first catches to quiet moments by the water, every story helps more people see themselves outdoors! Volunteer Leaders and participants are encouraged to capture and share moments from their outings across social media using hashtags: #BigFish #OutdoorAfro
Partner With Big Fish
Big Fish offers meaningful opportunities for brands, outfitters, tourism organizations, outdoor companies, and community partners to connect with Outdoor Afro’s growing national network.
Partnership opportunities may include:
• Event sponsorship
• Gear rentals and donations
• Outfitter/instructor services
• Storytelling campaigns
• Community activations
• Digital advertising
• Co-branded experiences
We’re especially excited to collaborate with partners who care about outdoor access, conservation, wellness, and community connection.
Ready To Plan Your Big Fish Event? If you’re an Outdoor Afro Volunteer Leader ready to bring your community outdoors this summer, we can’t wait to see what you create. Let’s make this a summer full of connection, learning, laughter, and memorable days by the water.
Program FAQs
A: Big Fish invites people of all ages and ability levels into fishing as a welcoming outdoor activity that can be shared across generations, families, and communities.