AFTCO Announces 2025 B.A.S.S. Conservation Grant Recipients
In 2025, AFTCO continues its longstanding commitment to conservation by awarding five $5,000 Conservation Grants to B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs, totaling $25,000 in support. Since launching the program in 2018, AFTCO has contributed over $165,000 to these grassroots conservation efforts. This year’s grant recipients are:
1. Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation: Habitat improvement on Tims Ford Lake and Woods Reservoir
2. Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation: Habitat improvement on Wilson Reservoir
3. Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation: Habitat improvement on Butler Lake
4. Texas B.A.S.S. Nation: Live release trailer
5. Indiana B.A.S.S. Nation: Habitat improvement on Patoka Lake
“The state B.A.S.S. Nation organizations are made up of dedicated local anglers who care about conservation. We admire the goals they have with these projects and the efforts they put into them as volunteers to improve bass fishing in local lakes. We are proud to continue supporting these projects in five states in 2025,” said Casey Shedd, AFTCO president.
These programs, which range from habitat improvement projects to helping build a live release trailer, will improve fish habitats, provide youth angler education opportunities, and promote local conservation efforts. These programs would not be possible without the teamwork between B.A.S.S. Nation chapters, governmental fishing agencies, local businesses, and the invaluable support of volunteers and youth organizations.
“Eight years and counting, AFTCO has supported the great conservation work our B.A.S.S. Nation chapters and clubs are doing. The Shedd family and AFTCO’s commitment to supporting these grass-roots projects is a testament to their belief in giving back to the resource that our sport is so dependent on, and those of us at B.A.S.S. sincerely appreciate the continued support.” – Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director.
Project 1: Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation Habitat Improvement on Tims Ford Lake & Woods Reservoir
This habitat improvement project will benefit the ecosystems in Tims Ford Lake and the Woods Reservoir in South Central Tennessee. The Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation will be able to build and place Mossback Habitat Structures and other materials like Christmas trees, stake beds, artificial stumps, and spawning benches. With help and guidance from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), this program will be an educational opportunity for youth anglers to learn how to build effective fish habitats to keep fish populations healthy.
Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation will work with Fish Tennessee Foundations, TWRA, TVA, and the U.S. Air Force to build and place between 1000-2000 structures. While deploying these habitat improvement structures, lake-wide cleanup efforts will also happen. TWRA will help evaluate the success of these habitat improvement efforts through electrofishing samples collected at enhanced habitat sites. Additionally, roving creel surveys and tournament catch and harvest rates will be collected.
Project 2: Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation Habitat Improvement on Wilson Reservoir
The second project will enhance habitat quality by installing natural brush piles and artificial structures in the Wilson Reservoir. These habitats will provide shelter and breeding habitats for fish, especially during spawning. This project will be completed by the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation and other local youth organizations like 4H and FFA. Building and placing these artificial structures will help educate the local community and recreational anglers while helping promote sustainable fishing practices to keep fish populations healthy for generations.
Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation will conduct baseline surveys, post-installation monitoring, and fish population monitoring to assess the success of their habitat enhancement techniques. The Kansas team and local organizations are excited to get this project underway and see the positive impact.
Project 3: Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation Habitat Improvement on Butler Lake
The Butler Lake restoration project aims to mitigate erosion, clear invasive species, reduce flooding and create diverse wildlife habitats. Over the last several years, the areas surrounding Butler Lake, which is technically considered a wetland, have been overrun by invasive species like Reed Canary grass, Horsetail, and Silver Maple that dominate the shoreline.
In August 2023, the Libertyville High School ECOS Club began this project by growing native plants to help restore the shoreline and eliminate invasive species. Fast forward to 2025, and with help from the LHS Fishing Club and AP Earth science students, Illinois B.A.S.S Nation will have the opportunity to get hands-on involvement from shore clean-up and restoration to water quality surveys and data collection. To measure the success of this habitat improvement project, they’ll conduct bi-annual surveys on water quality, creel surveys, and plant and animal habitat surveys.
Project 4: Texas B.A.S.S. Nation Building a Live Release Trailer
Starting in June, the Texas B.A.S.S. Nation will start building a live release tank to help reacclimate fish post-tournament to remain healthy and stabilize fish populations. Additionally, TBN plans to add a roof to its trailer to help keep the tank cool during the hot summer months in Texas. This new live release trailer will be used at large high school and college tournaments, providing an excellent learning opportunity for youth anglers and continuing to teach the importance of conservation and sustainable fishing practices. There will also be several youth volunteers that will help with the construction and operation of this live release trailer. Since 2019, the AFTCO Bass Bus Live Release Boat has experienced a 100% survival rate with zero fish mortality and safely released 27,000 bass across 12 states. Undoubtedly, this new live release trailer in Texas will have a positive impact.
