2025 Top 30 Women Anglers – Fishin’ Girl Nation

When we first set out to highlight 25 incredible female anglers from Fishin’ Girl Nation, we quickly realized there was no way we could stop there—so we expanded the list to 30 top women anglers in 2025! The passion for fishing, skill, and support we’ve seen among women in this women’s fishing community have absolutely blown us away.

Every day, the ladies of Fishin’ Girl Nation prove that women anglers belong in every part of the fishing world—surf fishing, bass fishing, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and more. They are breaking barriers, casting lines, and inspiring other women to get out on the water. These 30 women have truly stood out this past year, both online and on the water, and we’re thrilled to recognize them for their fishing expertise, leadership, and dedication to the sport.

The selection criteria were simple but meaningful. Each woman had to be an active member of our free Fishin’ Girl Nation Facebook club or on the Fishin’ Girl Nation app. From there, we looked for genuine fishing passion and real angling skill—many of our amazing women are even self-taught! We don’t choose based on popularity, follower count, or appearance. Our focus is heart, dedication, and love for fishing. Out of more than 17,000 women anglers, narrowing it down to just 30 was the hardest part! A small team helped us make those tough decisions, and we’re honored to introduce these standout female anglers from Fishin’ Girl Nation. 💪🐟

We encourage everyone to follow their pages, support their fishing journeys, and celebrate these outstanding women who truly represent the heart and soul of women in fishing. They’re not just catching fish—they’re inspiring a movement! 💙

 

1. Casting Queen Lyndsey

Lyndsey appeared on nearly all of our team’s lists and truly embodies the spirit of Fishin’ Girl Nation. A self-taught angler with deep passion for the sport, she shares her expertise and infectious enthusiasm with other women. She also hosts a YouTube channel where she posts tutorials, fishing trips and motivational outdoor content.
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2. Crystal Brigman

Crystal is a hands-on angler who loves time on the water—kayak and bank, catfishing and family outings. Her posts highlight not only big catches but the joy of fishing and the community she helps build among women anglers. She consistently uses her platform to encourage others to get out, cast a line, and enjoy the day.
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3. Emily Hanzlik Outdoors

Emily is a youth-education fishing guide who began fishing at a very young age and now holds dozens of IGFA world records. She focuses not just on catches but on teaching marine biology, conservation and multi-species skills, particularly to young women. Her modest, expert-driven approach makes her a standout voice in our community.
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4. Anietra Hamper Fishing & Outdoors

Anietra brings an outdoor journalist’s eye to the angling world, combining media savvy with genuine fishing skill and advocacy for women in the sport. She uses her platform to highlight stories from the water and to inspire other women to pick up a rod, learn new techniques, and own their fishing journey.
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5. Sherrell Liggins

Sherrell has a longstanding public presence posting about her fishing adventures—catfishing, river and pond outings—and she actively supports other women in angling. Her consistent participation in the fishing community and willingness to share her experiences make her a valued member of Fishin’ Girl Nation.
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6. Betty Bauman (“Billfish Betty”)

Betty is a pioneer for women in sportfishing—founder of the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” movement and a respected tournament angler. Her leadership, longevity in the industry, deep saltwater experience and mentorship of other women anglers make her an icon for our list.
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7. Barbara Evans

Barbara is one of the early female charter captains in the sportfishing world, with numerous offshore releases and contest wins under her belt. She mentors women anglers, runs charter trips, and consistently proves that women don’t just belong on the water—they lead on it.
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8. Becca Dwyer

Becca is a member of the Fishin’ Girl Nation Extreme Team with broad skills across fishing styles (freshwater, saltwater, surf, pier). Recently she’s added urban angling classes at a Yeti store in Texas, combining instruction with community outreach and empowerment for women anglers.
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9. Dishaya Ross

Dishaya consistently posts fishing trips, catch highlights and supports the community of women anglers through engagement and technique sharing. Her friendly, active presence in the Fishin’ Girl Nation community highlights strong passion and real angling activity.
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10. Colleen Nelson

Colleen shares regular updates from guides, tournament outings and women-only fishing trips, demonstrating repeat participation, positivity and community leadership. She embodies the “get on the water and help others get on the water” mindset.
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11. Misty Wiseman

Misty is the host of the Pro and the Know Show, a fishing comedy show, and has been involved with bass fishing and outdoors her whole life and uses that experience to uplift others. Her posts reflect deep familiarity with technique, gear and environment, and she uses that knowledge to support women anglers in a meaningful way.
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12. Marlo Kennedy Alleva

Marlo owns SUP’n It Reel Adventures, a stand-up paddleboard fishing guiding business, and is a Fishin’ Girl Nation Extreme Team member. Her unique guiding niche, leadership in women’s fishing and adventurous spirit make her a powerful part of our list.
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13. Misty Wells

Misty is an award-winning outdoor TV host and producer (her show Let’s Take It Outside is available on streaming platforms) and founder of A Reel Future, which takes at-risk youth on fishing adventures. Her media reach, conservation mindset and women-fishing advocacy make her a standout.
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14. Jen Lyon

Jen recently opened Blue Ridge Marine, a woman-owned tackle shop, and she actively teaches women how to drive boats and fish independently. Her entrepreneurial drive, combined with hands-on instruction for women in angling, makes her deeply valuable to our community.
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15. Jaylynn Parker

Jaylynn is the youngest member of the Fishin’ Girl Nation Extreme Team and made national news for catching a certified Ohio state record blue catfish. Her composure, technique, youth glass-ceiling-breaking effort and community engagement encapsulate our selection criteria.
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16. Malorie Ann Romero

Malorie is a two-time international star of a popular survival show and brings intense outdoor skill, resilience and fearless spirit to her angling. Her transition from survivalist to angler highlights the diverse ways women can excel in outdoor sports.
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17. DeNicia Payne

DeNicia is a committed angler who posts about sturgeon, catfish and big catches, and she supports other women through social-posting, mentoring and community-sharing. Her consistent presence and love of all-species fishing give her strength as a top contributor to our list.
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18. Sarah Zurovec

Sarah participates in tournament saltwater circuits and is regularly featured in leaderboard and event posts. Her competitive edge, saltwater skillset and team-player mentality make her a strong ambassador for women in the sport.
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19. Bethann Barron

Bethann is a entrepreneurial math tutor by day, and big proponent of family and fishing with her free time. She maintains active posting of fishing trips, tournament outings and women’s fishing group activity, always supporting community participation. Her consistent engagement and freshwater angling passion enrich Fishin’ Girl Nation from the grassroots level.
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20. Darlene Shuman

Darlene works with the Salt Strong Alliance (education & conservation) and advocates for catch-and-release habits and responsible angling. A chapter president for Salt Strong, her leadership in fishery stewardship combined with her women-fishing advocacy make her a role model in our community.
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21. Leslie Branin

Leslie is a fishing guide for the 11 Mile Reservoir and is most passionate about ice fishing. She fishes lakes, kokanee, trout and other fresh-water systems in the Pacific Northwest and supports fellow women anglers through mentoring posts and local group activity. Her broad species-knowledge and willingness to help others shine through.
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22. Rachel Mullins

Rachel is a model, actress, and producer who uses her platform to promote fishing for women and families; her social-media feed features surf and saltwater catches and cross-media storytelling. Her blend of media skills and angling participation brings fresh energy to the community.
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23. Shawna Simpson

Shawna is a entrepreneur with a passion for fishing and the outdoors. She regularly posts trip recaps from Great Lakes region fishing (trout, salmon, steelhead) and supports women’s involvement in outdoors and angling groups. Her regional expertise and community engagement make her a great pick for our top-30.
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24. Cathy Sanders

Cathy is the founder of Fishin’ Girl Nation and beach fishing guide. Her leadership, vision for women anglers and grounded skill set make her both a guide and a mentor to many. She’s the cornerstone of this movement.
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25. Makenzie Irwin

Makenzie’s involvement with collegiate bass fishing and her posts about boat-based freshwater trips show her rising level of skill and devotion to angling. Her youth, yet serious approach to technique and species variation, make her an excellent example for our younger members.
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26. Carolyn Stash

Carolyn is the founder of the Pink Ladies Breast-Cancer Foundation (501(c)(3)), runs a ladies fishing team and is deeply embedded in getting more women on the water. Her combination of community service, angling leadership and women’s-fishing advocacy make her a powerful force.
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27. Jackie Clouser

Jackie is a fly-fishing guide alongside her husband Bob Clouser (of the famous Clouser Deep Minnow legacy) and shares her fly-tying and guiding expertise in the fly-fishing community. Her deep technical knowledge, guiding experience and willingness to teach set her apart.
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28. Makayla Neuendorf

Makayla, though young, demonstrates high skill and knowledge across multiple fishing disciplines and a passion for all forms of angling—from tournament bass to open-water species. Her enthusiasm, growth mindset and presence in women’s fishing circuits make her one to watch.
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29. Lisa Flathead

Lisa posts consistent content in West-Coast flathead and catfish fishing groups, showing strong species-specific expertise and active encouragement of other women in the sport. Though her profile is less widely publicised, her angling community impact is real and valued.
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30. Sarah Frisch Pease

Sarah Frisch Pease is an aspiring professional Bassmaster and a die-hard angler who chases fish wherever the water takes her—salt or fresh—with a rod always in hand. She places God, family, and friends first and is a proud mom of two, bringing that same steady, encouraging spirit to the Fishin’ Girl Nation community. Off the water she empowers other women to travel the U.S. and the world while building residual income, helping them create the time and financial freedom to fish and live on their own terms.
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