RFRI – Fish With A Purpose

Recreational Fisheries Research Institute, Inc.

Marine Fisheries Restoration Through Education & Public Involvement.

Download Anglers Almanac

Turn your phone into one of your favorite fishing tools while also turning your catch into citizen scientist data that can be utilized to modernize fish management. Learn More

The Recreational Fisheries Research Institute, Inc. (RFRI)

The RFRI has long been an integral part in the development of improved fishery data collection, fish habitat restoration, and the fostering of a catch and release, citizen-scientist driven movement amongst Louisiana’s recreational and tournament anglers. The partnership of recreational anglers and scientist help everyone conserve the resource while maintaining access to great times spent outdoors and on the water. A variety of projects have branched out from this common goal and each one has been successful in its focused goals. Learn more about our mission.

Tag Louisiana

A cooperative Marine fish tagging program to improve our understanding of marine sport fish movements, patterns of habitat use and population dynamics.

Tag It Tournament

A virtual tournament series that helps collect valuable information about sport fish. Anglers take photos of their catch via our Angler Almanac app and tag their releases.

Anglers Almanac

Turn your phone into one of your favorite fishing tools while also turning your catch into citizen scientist data that can be utilized to modernize fish management.

Fishial.AI Fish ID Photo Challenge

RFRI has partnered with the Wye Foundation on the Fishial.AI Fish ID Project with the goal of making highly accurate fish identification "Fishial Recognition" possible. Anglers can join the photo challenge to contribute.

Marine Sport Fish Enhancement

In the states of Texas and Florida, supplemental, hatchery-based stocking, in combination with standard management practices, has resulted in a successful and sustaining program of Red Drum enhancement.

Outdoors & Education Programs

In a time when technology often holds us captive, RFRI understands the importance of getting outside, being physically active, embracing teamwork and connecting with nature and each other.

Leaderboard Software

Fishing tournaments continue to grow in popularity and diversity of formats, but putting them on has never been easier with the development of the RFRI Leaderboard software.

More Programs

The RFRI has also developed ideas, processes, and software for a variety of related projects, and we invite you to learn more about their successful implementation of them.

View All Programs

A New Approach to Conservation

Our Mission

RFRI is a non-profit organization formed exclusively to conduct marine fisheries restoration through education and public involvement. Fostering diverse partnerships and engaging anglers in data collection are key objects leading to successful projects. For the past 20 years RFRI has built a team of citizen scientists to gather data which could be used proactively rather than the industry standard, reactive.

This is accomplished by establishing community-based fund-raising events where marine conservation and fish habitat restoration and protection are at the focal point. All of these events are organized and executed by volunteers. Experts are invited to present information on the conservation front, educating anglers on actions they can take to be part of the restoration effort. Learn more about us

Recent News

The latest news, announcements events and media from RFRI.

RFRI & Brother Martin Beach Clean Up sponsored by Chick-fil-A 1-90

RFRI tags 100 fish at the Ride the Bull Kayak Tournament

2022 TAG IT Louisiana Tournament Youth Winner

Guy Harvey Receives Conservation Award from RFRI

All donations are tax deductible.

Would you like to support Us?

Managing the future of fishing in Louisiana is a monumental task and in order for the RFRI to tackle fisheries, habitat, and coastal restoration projects, funding is required. Your contributions will greatly protect, enhance and maintain the Gulf Coast Marine Fishery through science, education and public involvement.