Club History
Since 1919
The Bremerton Sportsmen’s Club was established in 1919 to unite sportsmen for the purpose of preserving the heritage of hunting and fishing. With the invention of the automobile at the turn of the century, market hunting and fishing began to make a great reduction in wildlife and freshwater fish in America. Logging operations began to cause erosion, siltation and other devastation to streams, lakes and terrain.
Sportsmen all over the country began to see the need for conservation and restocking of fish and wildlife. During the first twenty or so years of the club’s existence, many lakes were not accessible by automobiles. They were planted with fingerlings that were carried in tanks on backboards. In the years prior to state game farms, the club did some upland bird rearing.
One of the greatest visions of the club was to make many lakes accessible to the public. The club purchased waterfront lands, which were deeded to the then Department of Game for the development of public recreational access. Properties were purchased on Mission, Panther, Tiger, Spencer, Wooten, Devereaux, Haven and Wildcat Lakes. Today these remain open to the public with small boat launching ramps. Some offer fishing from shore as well.
The Bremerton Sportsmen’s Club contributed many hours of free labor and financial support in the modernization of the boat ramp and pier at Evergreen Park. The club also purchased the handicap fishing pier for the Bremerton Parks Department which is located at the day park on Kitsap Lake.
“
Conservation Pledge
I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully defend from waste the natural resources of my country—its air, soil and minerals; its forests, water and wildlife.
