Compete in KDFWR's 'Mentor to Win' contest: Learn fishing, catch fish, and potentially take home a kayak as a prize
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is hosting a unique fishing contest for the 2025-2026 license year - the "Mentor to Win" contest. This initiative aims to encourage experienced anglers to introduce new people to fishing, promoting fishing education and community involvement.
To participate, anglers must be licensed to fish in Kentucky during the specified period. The contest is free to enter, and eligible participants can register or submit proof of their mentoring activities.
The prize for the lucky winner is a kayak, paddle, personal flotation device (PFD), and two spinning rod and reel combos - a package designed to encourage ongoing fishing activity.
Kentucky offers excellent fishing opportunities year-round at waterbodies across the state, including more than 40 Fishing in Neighborhood (FINs) lakes for convenient fishing. To find the perfect spot, anglers can use the Fish Boat KY app, available for both Apple and Android phones, which helps users find waterbodies, boat ramps, and other water access on the fly.
For those just starting their fishing journey, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Fishing landing page provides access to various digital resources, including a quick start guide to Recreational Fishing, weekly Fishing Reports, statewide Fish Stocking schedules, and fishing advice from seasoned pros. The Fish Boat KY app also allows anglers to buy a license, review the Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide, get the Fishing Forecast, and access stocking locations.
To be eligible for the prize, anglers 16-years-old and older must mentor a new angler, also age 16 or older, at least once this summer through Aug. 31. Participants can enter the "Mentor to Win" contest multiple times by taking different people fishing.
The Waterbodies Search page on the KDFWR website can be used to find fishing locations, and the MyProfile portal is where participants can enter the names and identification numbers of the people taken fishing.
The "Mentor to Win" contest is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, and experience level. So, whether you're an experienced angler or a newcomer, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy Kentucky's fishing waters and potentially win a fantastic prize package. For complete official rules, participants should check with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources directly or their official contest announcements closer to or during the contest period.
In the 2025-2026 license year, Kentucky will host the "Mentor to Win" fishing contest, allowing eligible anglers to win a sports package comprising a kayak, paddle, PFD, and spinning rod and reel combos. To be eligible for this sports-related prize, participants must mentor new anglers, at least once during the summer, and register their mentees through the MyProfile portal on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) website.
