Trout Unlimited’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

In 1959, Trout Unlimited was founded on the banks of the AuSable, less than one hundred miles from where Ferris Trout Unlimited started almost fifty years later.  The original founders had one main principle that has guided Trout Unlimited over the years… “Take care of the fish, then the fishing will take care of itself.”  Trout Unlimited is now comprised of more than 150,000 volunteers organized into about 400 local chapters across North America.

Ferris Trout Unlimited is located at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.  Ferris TU is the first collegiate sub-chapter, comprised entirely of students, of Trout Unlimited in the nation.  We currently operate as a sub-chapter of the Pine River Area Trout Unlimited located in Cadillac, Michigan.  Through the Pine River Chapter, we provide support for a large area of northwestern Michigan and watersheds and blue-ribbon fisheries such as the Pine River, Muskegon River, Clam River, and the renowned Manistee River.

Ferris TU started when Ferris State University students Ethan Winchester and Alex Forsberg got together while fishing and discussed what impact they could make within the conservation of the fisheries they loved.  After discussing and passing the idea to friends and fellow fishermen Chris Abbott and Brennen Kerr, and with the help of the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited and the Pine River Chapter, the four individuals founded the collegiate sub-chapter, Ferris Trout Unlimited, in November of 2007.