"No one really knows. I've been at fishing shows and I've heard people tell me that they were once part of the club, in the late 90s even," Bocian said. "The club really has no record, basically, its past history just because of its nature."

Bocian heard about the club through a family friend his freshman year and quickly became an active member. In two years, he ascended from secretary to president. 

Hoping to meet their like-minded peers, civil engineering sophomore Casey Shell and fisheries and wildlife junior J.D. Glasscock joined the club.

"The main reason why I joined the club was because my main passion is fishing," Shell said.

Before joining, Glasscock, from Virginia, had never fished in Michigan. 

"I wanted to learn about how to fish in Michigan," Glasscock said. "Since I'm from out of state, I have no idea how to fish for salmon or walleye or any of the native species."

Both students have leadership roles within the club and want to see it grow. Shell, the social media director, has been a member for a year while Glasscock, the vice president, has been in the club for two and half years.

"I want to make this club better in future generations," Glasscock said. "I want to make it somewhere where everyone would feel welcome to come in and have a good time and enjoy the sport of fishing together."

The club rarely fishes around campus. The students attend weekend fishing trips and tournaments, the main one being the Collegiate Bass Tour, which takes place throughout the summer. There are two weekend trips a semester where members travel around the state for certain types of fishing.

The club contributes financial support for its individual and collective aspirations. 

"We don't provide boats or anything to our members, but if they want to participate, we basically help fund them," Bocian said. "We cover their tournament fees, specifically these are bass tournaments. So, targeting largemouth, smallmouth bass and we cover their tournament fees so they have a chance to win some money. Basically, no entry fee. It's more just us monetarily supporting our club members who want to participate. We also support them if they want to fish any other term circuits."

The MSU Fishing Club is funded through member dues, merchandise sales, sponsorships and donations for competing. 

"We function truly as a club," Bocian said. "So, all of our money comes from our due-paying members, which our dues really aren't outrageous. It's only $50 for a year or $30 for a semester."

The goal of the club is to create a space where students can connect through their passions.

"It is to advance the skills of anglers on campus and also provide a space where people can connect and meet people to go fishing with," Bocian said. "We have a bunch of club members who like to share their knowledge about what they particularly want. We do that to try to advance the skills of everyone else in the club and teach them how to do it, because it can be intimidating. I've met some of my best friends here at MSU through this club, and there's a ton of people in the club that can say the same exact thing."