Florida Sportsman founder Karl Wickstrom joins four others slated for induction into the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame later this month. Wickstrom may not hold any big-fish records, but his continued leadership in marine fisheries conservation has proven vital for all Florida fishermen.

“The more I travel around the world, the more I’m truly convinced that Florida is the fishing capital of the world,” said Rob Kramer, IGFA President. “I attribute a lot of that to Karl’s influence over the years.”

Through his Openers column and numerous inside editorials and reporting pieces, Wickstrom and the magazine staff helped turn the tide in favor of science-based public stewardship, especially on the state level.

Florida Sportsman magazine documented severe declines in red drum, king mackerel, swordfish, grouper, mullet and other fish as a result of accelerated commercial effort and political cronyism. Wickstrom initiated and led the Save our Sealife campaign, culminating in the 1994 voter-approved constitutional amendment prohibiting gillnets and other large nets in Florida waters. He currently coordinates the Rivers Coalition Defense Fund, a Stuart-based advocacy group seeking protection for state estuaries.

Karl seemed ready to turn the spotlight elsewhere when he received news of his induction selection. “I would accept on behalf of all the anglers and other staffers who’ve helped so much on conservation,” he said.

To this day, Karl comes into the office each day. He’s usually on the phone, in the thick of a conservation or fish-regulatory matter before most others turn their computers on. Karl still reads over magazine copy for two magazines, produces conservation segments for Florida Sportsman TV and writes an Openers column each month. (He has been known to leave a bit early with a fishing rod or wearing tennis attire.)

The Hall of Fame at IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach (www.IGFA.org) houses tributes to over 70 men and women who’ve etched lasting marks in angling history, including Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Michael and Helen Lerner, and Izaak Walton. For tickets to the dinner and awards banquet ($200), call Lesley Arico at (954) 924-4222; larico@igra.org.