New Jersey’s Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program provides a great opportunity to get kids involved in positive recreational activities. Growing up in a big city, my parents saw value in having me spend my summers outdoors enjoying nature. These experiences afforded me the chance to discover that there is more to the world and my role in it than what the concrete jungle has to offer. Likewise, the goal of this program is to introduce youth to the fun and excitement of fishing, and to engage them in meaningful life skills, so that they also can imagine unlimited possibilities for themselves.
– Liz Jackson, HOFNOD Coordinator

HOFNOD FAQs

Fishing is an activity that can be started at any age by any person regardless of gender, physical size or athletic ability. Fishing can also be enjoyed individually or with family and friends. A great way to introduce youth to fishing is through the Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) Program.

The NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s HOFNOD Program wants to partner with schools, community or faith-based youth organizations to develop Hooked on Fishing Teams. These teams are led by adult(s) who are committed to providing on-going and sustained engagement in fishing and aquatic education activities throughout the year.

The overall goal of New Jersey’s program is to encourage school-aged children to avoid tobacco, drug, and alcohol usage by providing alternative activities that involve learning to fish, appreciating aquatic resources, and developing positive life skills.

Team Leader Training

To become a Hooked on Fishing Team an adult affiliated with an organization interested in working with youth and families must attend a Team Leader Training. Trainings are offered in the spring or fall. You do not need to be an experienced angler to start a Hooked on Fishing Team.

Program Expectations

Hooked on Fishing Team Leaders are required to:

• Complete the Team Registration annually.
• Maintain an active list of all youth participants.
• Identify one or more suitable local fishing location(s) that are easily accessible for the Team.
• Submit a calendar of activities to the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Hooked on Fishing Coordinator at the start of each Team’s activity cycle.

Program Support

Hooked on Fishing Program will provide your team with:

• Fishing gear and equipment;
• Education materials and supplies;
• All Aboard events that all Hooked on Fishing Teams are invited to participate, including: one-day and overnight events, charter boat fishing, and supplemental fishing-related activities (e.g. fly tying and rod building);
• Field trips related to fishing or aquatic education.

Atlantic

Creek Anglers: CCHS Fishing Club
Cedar Creek High School
1701 New York Ave.
Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Erin Sharpe – esharpe@gehrhsd.net

HOFNOD Community Fishing Students 
Pleasantville, NJ
Marlene Crump – CommunityFishingStudents@gmail.com

Camden

Barrington HOF
Barrington Firehouse and 1 School Lane Barrington NJ 08007 (Woodland School)
Ken Lampe – Lampeken@yahoo.com
856-287-5028

Fishing P.A.C.
Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
1196 Penn Street
Camden, NJ 08102
Karl W. Medley Sr. – kmedleymcdc@gmail.com

Hooked on Nature
1301 Park Blvd
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Phuong Nguyen – phuong.nguyen@camdencounty.com

Cape May

Tightlines 4H Fishing Club
Lockwood Youth Center, 4H Fairgrounds
355 Dennisville Road
Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210
Ruth Thraen – rathraen@comcast.net
609-861-2450

Essex

Franklin Fishers
Benjamin Franklin School
42 Park Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
Jessica Allen – J1Allen@NPS.K12.NJ.US
973-268-5250
www.nps.k12.nj.us/FRA/

Monmouth

Middletown High School North Fishing Club
63 Tindall Rd
Middletown Township, NJ 07748
Eric Hoblitzell – HoblitzellE@middletownk12.org
732-706-6061 ext 1281

Passaic

Passaic Fishing Club
City of Passaic – Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs
330 Passaic Street
Passaic, NJ 07055
Mariana V. Fera mfera@cityofpassaicnj.gov
973-859-1344

Ocean

Brick School District HOFNOD
Brick Memorial High School
2001 Lanes Mill Rd.
Brick, NJ 08724
Tim Brennan – tbrennan@brickschools.org
www.facebook.com/Brick-Schools-Hooked-on-Fishing-Not-on-Drugs-259088461566403/

Sussex

Montague Bait Buddies
Montague Township School
475 Route 206 North
Montague, NJ 07827
Carl Ferriere— cferriere@montagueschool.org

Union

Team Linden
City of Linden Recreation Department
Linden, NJ
Team Leaders: Sandra Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jay Sibilski
Linden Department of Recreation – 908-474-8600
www.facebook.com/Lindenhofnod

Warren

Keeping It Reel
Community Center at Belvidere
301 Second St.
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Tammy Koop – tammykoop69@gmail.com