The Club was formed in 1975 as the Marina City Anglers. The name was changed to Marina Del Rey Anglers (MDRA) in 1986 and incorporated as a 501(3)C non-profit on May 14, 1985.

In May 1986 our Club joined in a law suit to stop the dumping of untreated sewage and sludge into the Bay. The City stopped dumping in 1988 and achieved full treatment in 1998.

MDRA was also involved in the outlawing gill nets in near shore waters and other conservation efforts. We joined the Ocean Resource Hatchery Project (OREHP), operated by the California Department of Wildlife, in 1997.

In 2013 we were elected to the Governing Board of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission and serve on the SMBRC Watershed Advisory Council.

Pursuant to our bylaws, MDRA has made significant donations to various Boys Clubs, the United Anglers of So Cal, National Coalition for Marine Conservation, and supported the International Game Fish Association, the Pacific Game Fish Research Foundation, Fishery Foundation of California, Pardee Sea Scout Basin, Marina Del Rey Fishery Enhancement Project. e are also members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, Ballona Wetlands, Heal the Bay, and the Coastal Conservation Association.

Since 1975 the Marina Del Rey Anglers have proudly presented the annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby, the longest standing fishing tournament on the West Coast. All proceeds go to fund our Youth Fishing Program where we take hundreds of disadvantaged youth fishing, and our White Seabass Grow-Out Program where we release thousands of juvenile White Seabass into the wild every year. To learn more about the programs or becoming a member please visit Marina Del Rey Anglers.