What do you get when you combine fishing with picking up litter?

Plishing!

Inspired by the Swedish phrase plocka upp, meaning “pick up,” Plishing combines fishing with a simple conservation action: picking up litter and properly disposing of it.

From June 1 through August 31, anglers across South Carolina joined the 2026 Plishing Challenge, logging fish caught and bags of litter collected while enjoying the state’s waterways.

2026 Plishing Results

This summer, participants caught 735 fish and collected 456 bags of litter across South Carolina.

And, of course, a little friendly competition made it even more fun! Congratulations to our 2026 Plishing Challenge winners:

• Most Fish: Ezra Rouggly
• Most Litter: Richard Ellis
• Random Draw: Joseph Cooper

Each grand prize winner receives a $500 gift card generously provided by Palmetto State Armory.

These numbers represent more than a competition. They represent anglers choosing to care for the waterways they enjoy.

Connected by Water

South Carolina’s waterways are all connected. Litter dropped miles upstream can travel through creeks and rivers, eventually reaching other communities or even the coast.

That’s why every piece of litter matters. From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, Plishing participants helped keep litter out of our waterways and away from the fish, wildlife, and people who depend on them.

That’s the heart of Plishing: conservation doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s picking up one piece of litter, sometimes it’s a bag full, and sometimes it’s simply taking a moment to leave your favorite fishing spot better than you found it.

A big thank you to our sponsors.

Plishing wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our partners. Thank you to the ASA FishAmerica Foundation, in partnership with Baron’s Outdoors and Z-Man, Palmetto State Armory, Palmetto Pride, Angling Women, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for helping make the 2026 Plishing Challenge a success.

And thank you to everyone who participated, shared their Plishing adventures, and helped make South Carolina’s waterways a little cleaner. We couldn’t do it without you!