The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), in partnership with ASA’s Sustainability Committee, is holding their first ever Million Pound Challenge, a nationwide initiative to remove 1 million pounds of trash from U.S. waterways. The inaugural event will take place during National Fishing and Boating Week from June 6-14, 2026.
According to ASA, aquatic pollution impacts every lake, river, and ocean across the country, affecting water quality and threatening fish and wildlife populations. Through this initiative, the sportfishing association is mobilizing sportfishing businesses, state agencies and organizations to host river, lake or beach cleanups for staff and community members and take direct action in protecting our nation’s pristine and cherished fisheries resources.
“Without clean waterways, we don’t have healthy fish populations. Without healthy fish populations, we don’t have an industry,” said ASA President and CEO, Glenn Hughes. “ASA staff will be cleaning up the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on June 11, and we encourage all of our members to join us in this effort.”
“As leaders in the sport fishing industry, we feel it’s our duty to demonstrate stewardship of our natural resources,” said Bruce Stanton, Vice President of Fishing at PRADCO Outdoors. “The Million Pound Challenge, launched by ASA, aligns with our stewardship initiatives, and we challenge all ASA members and stakeholders to get out of the office and help clean our waterways!”
To get started, select a date between June 6 and June 14, choose a location and organize your team. Additional resources for planning and executing a cleanup are available on the Million Pound Challenge webpage at www.asafishing.org/million-pound-challenge.
