About
MyFishCount is a pilot recreational fishing reporting platform created by the Angler Action Foundation (AAF) to bridge the gap between anglers and fishery scientists. Anglers can record every aspect of their trip — departure location, fishing methods, target species, and detailed catch data including species, length, weight, and release condition — all through an intuitive web portal or native mobile app. The platform functions as a personal digital logbook, letting users revisit past trips and track trends over time. Simultaneously, the aggregated data supplements existing federal survey methods, enabling managers to obtain catch information faster and make better-informed regulatory decisions. A real-world example: data collected through MyFishCount contributed to reopening red snapper fishing for an additional weekend in 2017. MyFishCount supports reporting for all species caught in the coastal counties of its four partner states and even allows anglers to document trips abandoned due to poor weather — a detail that further enriches the dataset. The platform is completely free, backed by conservation-minded sponsors, and designed for anglers of all experience levels who want their catches to count toward healthier, better-managed fisheries.
Key Features
- Trip Creation & Logging: Anglers can create detailed trip records specifying departure location, fishing methods, target species, and trip outcomes including weather-related abandonments.
- Catch Reporting: Log every species caught — both kept and released — with details like length, weight, and release condition to build a comprehensive personal catch history.
- Personal Digital Logbook: All past trips and catches are stored in the user's account, allowing anglers to review history and track trends across seasons and locations.
- Mobile App Support: Dedicated iOS and Android apps allow anglers to report catches on the water in real time, with offline form support for areas with limited connectivity.
- Direct Data Pipeline to Fishery Managers: Reported data supplements existing federal surveys, giving scientists and managers timelier information to inform regulations and conservation decisions.
Use Cases
- A recreational angler in Florida logs every red snapper catch — including length, weight, and whether it was kept or released — to contribute to more accurate stock assessments.
- A fishing guide in North Carolina uses MyFishCount as a digital trip logbook to track client catches across seasons and monitor trends in target species.
- An angler documents a trip abandoned due to rough weather, providing data that helps managers understand actual fishing effort versus reported landings.
- A conservation-minded angler uses the mobile app to report catches in real time from the boat, ensuring data is accurate and submitted promptly.
- A fishing club in South Carolina encourages all members to report through MyFishCount to collectively advocate for data-driven regulations that benefit local fisheries.
Pros
- Completely Free: There is no cost to create an account or use any feature of MyFishCount — it is a publicly funded conservation initiative.
- Real Conservation Impact: Data submitted by users has already influenced regulatory decisions, such as extending the red snapper season in 2017, demonstrating tangible real-world results.
- Easy to Use for Non-Technical Anglers: The app and website are designed for everyday recreational anglers with no technical background, featuring guided forms and tutorial videos.
- Available on Web and Mobile: Cross-platform support via browser, iOS, and Android ensures anglers can report from the dock, the boat, or at home.
Cons
- Limited Geographic Coverage: Currently only supports anglers fishing in the coastal counties of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida — not available for other U.S. regions.
- Pilot Project Status: MyFishCount is still a pilot initiative, meaning features, data uses, and long-term availability may change as the program evolves.
- Niche Audience: The platform is highly specific to South Atlantic recreational fishing, limiting its utility for freshwater anglers or those outside the target region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use MyFishCount?
MyFishCount is designed for recreational anglers fishing in the coastal counties of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Anyone can create a free account and start reporting.
Is MyFishCount free to use?
Yes, MyFishCount is completely free. It is a public pilot project run in partnership with the Angler Action Foundation and supported by conservation sponsors.
How is my catch data used?
Your reported data is shared with fishery scientists and managers to supplement existing surveys, enabling faster and more accurate assessments that inform fishing regulations.
Is my personal information kept confidential?
MyFishCount has a confidentiality policy in place to protect individual user data. Aggregated, anonymized catch data is what gets shared with fishery managers.
Can I use MyFishCount offline?
Yes, MyFishCount provides an offline form option so anglers can record their trip and catch data without an internet connection and submit it later.
