When I was a kid, my Dad told me that “You can’t catch a fish if you don’t wear a hat!” I’m pretty sure this was his way of saying “I don’t want your mother yelling at me because I missed a spot of sunscreen.” I often repeat the line to my children, mostly with the same motive. Over the years, I’ve gone through a few different fishing hats for my kids, and figured I’d write up a quick article with some thoughts on what worked and why.
Why Your Kid Needs a Fishing Hat
I’d argue that right after lifejackets, your kid’s fishing hat is the most important piece of equipment they’ll wear. The right hat will shield them from the sun (and errant hooks), allow them to see better while fishing, and, well, look cool.
Sun (and Hook) Protection
The main reason you’ll want your kids in a fishing hat is to protect them from the sun. There’s few places to hide from the sun while fishing, especially if you’re on a boat. Most of the dedicated kids fishing hats are going to come rated for UPF protection, usually 50+. While you still want to use sunscreen, this can help if your kid squirms and you miss a spot, or they rub some off.
A lesser considered protection is that against hooks. While we all do our best to stay safe, casting does involve swinging hooks back and forth. Knots fail, fish spit lures, and all sorts of other things can happen where a hook can go where you don’t want it to. A fishing hat provides at least some measure of protection to your children from being struck by one.
Ability to See Better
A good kids fishing hat will cut down on the sun’s glare a bit. While it’s not going to reduce the glare on the water itself like a good pair of polarized fishing glasses, it will keep your kids from squinting and help them see things better out there. It’s hard to fish while you’re squinting and dealing with glare, so this is a big plus. If you match a good kids fishing hat up with some polarized glasses, they can be just like dad (or mom).
Looking Cool
A kid’s fishing hat is only any good if the child will wear it. Luckily, most brands of kids sun hats come in a wide variety of colors and even themes (Yes, even unicorns). This should help you get your child to wear it and enjoy all of the benefits above. If your child thinks they look cool wearing the hat, they’ll put it on their head without a fuss. This could easily be worth spending an extra dollar or two to get your kid a fishing hat that just screams “them.”
The Best Kids Fishing Hats
The best kids fishing hat is one your child will actually wear. When they are little, they tend to forget what’s going on in the world, so you just need to plunk one on them and then distract them. They’ll forget it’s on there and wear it until play or wind knocks it off. When they get a little older, they’re going to have more of a sense of self and might not wear just anything. It’s therefore important to match the hat to your child’s taste.
Dedicated Toddler Sun Hat
What my kids started out wearing on the boat was a dedicated toddler sun hat like this one on Amazon. It provides a good deal more shade than a baseball cap as it has 360° protection. Further, they often come with SPF ratings of 50+ which is perfect for kids. They’re also great in that they have a neck strap which helps keep the fishing hat on your kids’ head. If you can convince your children to wear them, these are great.
Baseball Caps
If you’re reading this in America, the most common hat around is a simple baseball cap. It’s what I tend to fish in as it’s stylish, easy, and I have several. It keeps the sun out of my eyes and just makes me look like a fisherman, if you ask me. This is what Tristan is wearing these days too as he isn’t crazy about the larger hats of his youth. The only downside is that aside from the face, they don’t provide much sun protection. I find myself having to wear a neck gaiter of some sort. Not the end of the world, but a consideration.
The Ultimate Kids Fishing Hat
While I will admit I haven’t used these, if I had to do it all over again (or if I could convince my son to wear one) I’d definitely go for one of these safari hats I found on Amazon while researching this article. It has all the benefits of the sun hat with an added plus of a long neck flap. This is definitely a style of fishing hat that would keep your kids from burning up out on the lake.
Other Kids Fishing Hats
Truth be told, I didn’t even know what to call some of these, but I found this ultimate hat guide online, and want to give some credit where it’s due. There’s a few hats on there, like the lifeguard hat that I don’t have personal experience with but figure it would work very well. Go take a look at the website and see if there’s a style that you think would work well for your children.
Over the years I’ve been on plenty of father and son fishing trips, both with my dad and with my son, Tristan. There’s nothing quite like spending quiet time out there on the water with your child, and at Fishingfather.com, that’s exactly what we’re here to help you do. Here’s some tips for how to plan a great father and son fishing trip, and a few ideas of where to go.
How Old Should Your Son Be Before You Take Him Fishing?
I’m at the point now where I joke with Tristan that I’ve really done him a disservice. See, I didn’t get him into baseball or hockey before he could walk, so now all the other kids have overtaken him. I did, however get him fishing since he was a wee little baby and now he’s absolutely crushing it at 8. We recently got back from a trip to Lake Champlain and I was super impressed with how well he could cast a baitcaster. That doesn’t happen over night!
You can take your son (or daughter) on a fishing trip regardless of their age. You’re just going to need to temper your expectations to match their age and ability. A two year old probably won’t be able to cast, but may be able to spin the reel if you hold the rod for them. A kid who is fifteen is going to look at you funny if you try to do that. In the same respect, if you’re taking your son out when he’s little, you should be focusing on panfish, not Blue Marlin.
I’ve written several posts that can help you get the hang of things regardless of what age your son is. Consider reading up on a few of these before setting out for your father son fishing trip.
T and I had a wonderful time on our recent fishing trip to Lake Champlain.
Why You Should Plan a Father Son Fishing Trip
There’s no time like the present. I’m so glad that my dad took me on many fishing trips together when he was able to. While I still drag him out from time to time, he’s having a tough go of it lately as he gets older and slows down. You never know when this day will come for you. You’re just one accident away from not being able to spend as much time with your littles so go out of your way to take them on a fishing trip today.
In this day in age, fishing with your children is even more important. After all, it gets them away from the screens and their stupid Roblox account. It gives them confidence and something worth posing for a picture with. I can’t get my son or daughter to pose for a shot unless they’re holding a fish! Hey, whatever works.
Planning Your Father Son Fishing Trip
A father son fishing trip can be as simple as a trip to the local pond, or an extravagant excursion to the wilds of Alaska. Regardless of where you’re trying to go, you’re going to want to have fun with your son. Here are some tips to help you plan your trip.
Determine Your Goals
The first step in planning a successful father son fishing trip is to determine your goals. Are you trying to help your son catch his first fish? Are you on a monster quest looking for a true lunker? Is this a bucket list journey you’ve been saving up for the past few years? Are you after quantity, or quality? Is there a particular species you are after? You should have goals in mind to help you narrow down where to go.
Consider Your Options
Depending on what goals you have in mind, you need to narrow your options. The best way to do this is by online research including asking folks for help on internet forums. While anglers can be wary of giving out their specific spots, most are willing to at least help out a dad who is taking their kid out with some general advice. For example, if I wanted to catch some Florida strain largemouth bass, here’s what I would do.
First, I’d figure out what states have them (generally southern ones).
Then, I’d pick the state I’m interested in visiting (let’s say Florida).
Once I knew the state, I’d start poking around for good place to catch them (Okeechobee, the Harris Chain).
When I had it narrowed to the different waters, I’d see what accommodations are near, or what other things I could do with my son on the trip. Depending on your kid, you might not want to be in the boonies. On the other hand, that might be perfect.
Research the Water
Once you have it narrowed down to what water you’re going to fish on your father son fishing trip, you’re going to need to figure out how you will fish it! Can you launch your boat there? It not, can you rent one? If not, can you go out with a guide? Is there a depth chart somewhere for this lake? Are there any internet forums with anglers who post fishing reports for this lake? All of these questions are useful.
I once wrote a post called “Why You Can’t Catch Fish and What to Do About It” where I talk at length about how to research new water. Give it a gander so you can learn this new place you’re taking your kid!
Pack Your Gear
There’s nothing that will ruin a father son fishing trip like leaving some important gear behind. After all, you’re not going to have a good start if you need to run out to the local Wal-Mart to replace everything you forgot! That eats into valuable fishing time!
To ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, I suggest having everything you can packed days in advance. This gives you time so you can remember something once your memory jars. It also lets you realize if you’re missing something so you can do something about it at home instead of on the road. Packing for your tip early makes the packing somewhat enjoyable too. Far better than rushing at the end!
Set Your Son’s Expectations
When I’m taking my son on a fishing trip to a new destination, I am very careful to set his expectations. I find it is helpful to pitch the trip as an adventure where we are going to explore new water. I don’t promise fish ever, but especially not if we’re headed to a place I’ve never visited! Instead, talk about the experience. Talk about what you’ve read during your research. Don’t forget to mention the other things like arcades or museums or aquariums or such that you can do if the fishing doesn’t pan out!
When we make our fishing trips about the fishing, it had better be good. When we make these about bonding and experiencing life together, catching fish is just a bonus.
Great Father and Son Fishing Trip Destinations
While I’m sure there’s a million great father and son fishing trip destinations out there, my top 3, by far, would be Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont, the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida, and salmon fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska. Each of these has some very strong things going for it that makes it a great fishing destination to take your kids on a special adventure. Let’s explore why.
Lake Champlain
My home waters, Lake Champlain is not only a tremendous fishery but there is a ton of stuff to do with kids if it rains or they just get bored. The Echo Aquarium in Burlington, Ausable Chasm, Fort Ticonderoga, and Lake George Village are all nearby. I always like to have a plan B when I’m fishing with kids and if I was planning a father son fishing trip it would be no different.
As to the fishing itself, Lake Champlain has pretty much every northern freshwater species you could think of. It is routinely a top bass water cited by Bassmaster, has extremely good smallmouth action, and has a healthy array of northern pike, chain pickerel, channel catfish, lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and more. There’s also a huge amount of panfish such as white perch, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black and white crappie, so regardless of how old your kids are, there are fish for them to catch.
Our place is near the southern end of the Lake near Crown Point and Ticonderoga, but I’ve fished many times with Captain Mick Maynard of lakechamplainangler.com. He’s an incredible guide and does a great job helping kids catch giant fish. He fills up quick though so make sure you book early!
The Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida
I’ve fished in a number of locations in Florida, but my best advice to anyone planning a father son fishing trip in Florida is to stick to the Harris Chain of lakes. This is especially true if your kids are little. This chain is full of fish which is important, but you also take really cool canals to move from one lake to the other, which is an experience in and of itself.
However, the main reason I would recommend these lakes is their proximity to Orlando and Disney. This means you can take your kids out fishing and also to amusement parks for the typical Disney experience. While there are fishing guides on actual Disney waters, you’d likely do much better fishing this chain. Luckily, my dear friend Mick also fishes down in Florida during the winter! He has quite the life! Check him out at largemouthcentral.com to book your next charter!
Ketchikan, Alaska
If you’re seeking a more exotic location for your father son fishing trip, Ketchikan Alaska is a great place to go. My dad took me there a few times back in my 20’s and it was a blast. Specifically, we went to Sportsman’s Cove Lodge. Now, dad is a frequent traveler to Alaska, and he will tell you that there may be bigger fish elsewhere, but there is plenty of action at this lodge, and you’re doing it in refinement. The entire experience at Sportsman’s Cove makes you feel like a king and leaves you in total comfort. If you’re taking your family with you, this is the lodge they’ll want to go back to again and again.
I wrote a detailed review of my time at the lodge that you can find here. I definitely recommend reading it when you have a chance. If I was planning a father son fishing trip to Alaska, this would be the only option I’d consider.
Conclusions: Father Son Fishing Trips Are Worth Planning!
Some of my best memories in life are the fishing trips my dad took me out on, as well as the father son trips I’m experiencing right now with Tristan. Yes, they can sometimes be stressful and yes they can cost money, but the memories are priceless. I hope you get to experience a few of these trips yourself while your kids are still young enough to look up to you 🙂
By the time a child is four years old, it’s prime time to take them fishing. By this age your child should be completely capable of reeling in their own fish, and can probably learn how to cast as short distance fairly well. This makes it possible for your 4-year-old to catch their first fish, “all by themselves” at this age, which is a proud moment for any parent. All the same, fishing with a 4-year-old certainly has its share of challenges! I’ve been through it twice now so I thought I’d give you some tips.
With that out of the way, let’s jump into how you can go fishing with a 4-year-old!
What to Expect When Fishing With a 4-Year-Old
What can you expect when taking a 4-year-old fishing? In a word, chaos. Well, I’m half-joking. You should expect to spend a good amount of time untangling line and (hopefully) unhooking fish. You should also expect them to get bored nearly instantly if the fish don’t bite, so make sure you maximize your chances of success early on.
4-year-olds are also at that age where they really want to do everything themselves. Whereas a younger child might be content letting you cast, expect your 4-year-old to want to try. I suggest wearing some long clothes and eye protection!
Finally, 4-year-olds may or may not want to touch the fish they catch. Most of the sunfish and perch they’re likely to catch have sharp gill plates and spines that can prick them. You should probably bring along a towel to help your kid handle them. Note, a towel isn’t that great for the fish as it can wipe off their protective slime, but it may be the only way to get your kid to hold them.
Can a 4-Year-Old Catch Their Own Fish?
I’d argue four years old is about the age where a child can reasonably expect to catch a fish “all by themselves.” While you can certainly hand a rod to a child younger than that and help them reel it in, chances are you speared the worm, cast it out, and hooked the fish for them. While you still might want to put the nightcrawler on for your child, they should be able to handle just about everything at this point.
With that said, don’t expect it to happen instantly. There are a lot of motor skills a kid needs to learn with fishing. If this is their first time out, of course, help them! I’m just saying they are at the right age where they can catch one by themselves and report back home all proud.
Tips for Fishing With a 4-Year-Old
By the time a child is 4-years-old, it is possible to take them fishing alone without the help of another parent. All the same, the following tips will help make the trip more enjoyable for you both.
My son at 4-years-old, posing with this yellow perch.
Pre-fish and scout to keep your child’s interest
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to parents is to pre-fish and know what you’re getting into. Don’t show up to a fishing spot for the first time ever with your kid in tow. Go there a few days earlier just to check it out and see what it has to offer. Some things to consider:
Are there locations on the bank where you can cast easily?
Is there any place to play if the kids get bored?
Can you see fish activity in the water near where you’d fish?
Can you work a worm through the water without it getting all gunked up by slimy vegetation, or caught on rocks or wood?
You also might want to conduct an internet search of the location you plan to fish and the word “fishing reports.” This should take you to different forums and blogs where anglers share information on the location. It can give you a pretty good idea if it is a decent place to fish. Also, if you have time, don’t be afraid to join those forums! Most anglers will fall all over themselves to help a kid, so just tell them you’re planning on taking your little ones out and they’ll give you good tips to put them on fish (most guys on these forums aren’t after the sunnies you’ll be chasing with the tykes, anyway).
Another website to check is takemefishing.org. It can help you find a good fishing pond in your area!
Tip – This website (and I!) can help!
This website also has various ways to help. First, I wrote a post about how to scout out fishing locations that you might find useful. Secondly, I am MORE than willing to help you if you send me an email. Just tell me where you want to fish and I’ll do my best with map study and such to help you out. My goal with this website is to make sure you have the best fishing experience with your children! Take me up on the offer!
Choose a Location with a Plan B
Unless they’re *really* into it, most kids aren’t going to stay focused on fishing indefinitely. You’ll want to plan your trip to a location where there is something else for them to do. This could be a cool walk in the woods, a nearby playscape, or even just bringing a ball with you, or pack of cards when you’re on the boat. Always, always, ALWAYS have a “Plan B” when fishing with kids so they don’t get bored.
One of my favorite places to take my kids fishing in Connecticut has fields right behind it, just past that fence. Having a plan B is a huge deal when fishing with kids!
Bring a bucket
One of my main maxims when fishing with kids has and always will be, “get a fish in the bucket or livewell as fast as possible.” This takes SOOOOO much pressure off of you as a parent. The second you get a fish inside of a bucket (or even a frog, in a pinch) your kids have something to look at and play with when the bite slows down. Even if you plan on releasing everything when you leave, bring a bucket along to fill with some slimy friends for the kids to hang with. Just make sure you follow your local fishing regulations and don’t put in species that aren’t the appropriate size or out of season!
Wear the Right Clothing
By the time they’re four, children are going to want to dress themselves to some degree. It is questionable if you should let them before the fishing trip. Granted, you want to avoid a meltdown, but they really ought to be dressed for the occasion. Fishing is obviously done outside in the elements. The sun can really catch up to you on or near the water as it reflects off the surface. Make sure your children are dressed appropriately with hats and sunscreen so they don’t get a bad burn!
Bring (a few of) the Right Rod and Reel(s)
When fishing with kids, I definitely recommend bringing more than one rod. The reason is simple: your 4-year-old is going to tangle that thing so often if you don’t have at least two, they won’t be fishing much. Bring at least two rods that are rigged up for them so they can fish while you repair. I’ve honestly found I’ve needed as many as three at times just so I could keep a nice “assembly line” going.
I once wrote an article about the best fishing rods for kids, but to save you the read, just get a couple of Ugly Sticks. They’re relatively inexpensive, extremely durable, can take a beating, and catch fish. They can often be purchased in combos with a reel, like this one here. They aren’t glamorous and you aren’t going to impress the well-to-dos out there, but they do the trick and are what I’d recommend to any parent. A four year old will want the 5′ model in light or ultra light. This is fine for panfish and given it’s an Ugly Stick, it’ll also hold up fine to bass or the occasional small catfish.
Keep the Lures Simple
Don’t go overboard with lure selection when fishing with 4-year-olds. A simple (small) hook and worm will do. If you want to get fancy, a sinker is helpful as well. I avoid bobbers because they tend to cause you to sit and wait, which children hate. There’s often a large number of little nibbles going on beneath the surface that you’ll miss with a bobber. I know it’s controversial, but I hate using them with kids.
Likewise, this is not the time for that fancy braid or fluorocarbon. Get yourself some 6lb test Berkley Trilene XL and call it a day. It’s what I learned on, it’s what my kids learned on. It works.
Bring Snacks (and Wipes!)
It doesn’t matter how hard it is to get them to eat dinner, no 4-year-old will turn down a snack. Fishing is serious business and works up the appetite! Bring along some food for them, but don’t forget to bring some wipes too as their hands will likely be filthy! Sometimes a snack can also help distract them if the fish aren’t biting. We would tell our kids that they should probably eat so the fish would get hungry too. This can buy you a few moments to try and hook a fish yourself that you can hand off to your child, which is an added plus.
Conclusion: Four Years Old is Prime Time to Learn to Fish!
Taking a four-year-old out fishing can be an enjoyable experience for the parent and child. The kid is old enough to do a lot by themselves, and will be an absolute chatterbox all week about whatever they catch. Just remember that they are still a child, and will be prone to losing interest quickly. Make sure you bring distractions and fish at a good location that offers other entertainment.
I hope this article was helpful to you and your family. If there’s anything more I can do to help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or to send me an email! Also, your child might be interested in My Awesome Guide to Freshwater Fishing. It was written just for them!
You’re probably sitting there with a pale face, full of terror. Your kid just asked you to take them fishing, and you have no idea how. Perhaps you’ve never fished before.Maybe you fished once or twice as a kid yourself, but some adult tied on a bobber and ruined the sport for you forever. You might even like the hobby, but are nervous because you know how many times you come home without catching any fish, and don’t want to do that to your son or daughter. The pressure when taking kids fishing is real.
Taking kids fishing is an intimidating task for seasoned anglers, much less novices. There’s tremendous pressure to make sure the kids catch a fish. You want them to have fun, not wind up in the emergency room, or have your spouse telling you, “I told you so.”
You know it won’t be easy. Finding, much less hooking and landing a fish, is never a guarantee even for professionals. Just look at all the zeros on any tournament scorecard and you’ll see what I mean.
Then, there’s the matter of all the mechanics to consider. Little about this sport is intuitive, and that’s if you even get to the lake. Many a parent has quit after walking through a Wal-Mart aisle full of kids fishing poles, overwhelmed with anxiety trying to determine which fishing rod is best for their children.
Is this making your stomach turn a bit? Are you scared, wondering if you can pull this off, or if your kid is going home frowning and empty handed? Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered! Here’s my illustrated guide to taking kids fishing. Your one stop shop for everything you need to know!
What This Post Is
My goal with this post is simple. It will walk you through EXACTLY what you need to do to catch a fish with your kids. I will tell you exactly what kids fishing gear to buy (and will keep it simple, with gear you can find right on Amazon, or at Wal-Mart). I will teach you exactly what fish are best for children, and precisely when and where to find these fish to maximize your chance of success.
At the end, I will also devote some time to a FAQ about fishing with children as well as give you some good additional resources to help you out.
My goal for this article is that you should be able to catch a fish by doing nothing else than reading this post, and buying nothing else than the modest gear that I recommend. But, if I fail and you still have questions, you can also email me and I’ll personally help you for free. You can even send me your phone number if you want, and we can talk this through. I want your fishing trip with kids to be successful, and I’ll do everything I can to help.
Maxims and Mottos for Taking Kids Fishing
There are a few maxims or mottos that I live with when fishing with kids, but none is more important than this:
Get a fish in the livewell or bucket as fast as possible.
Your number one goal should be to get any fish you can (that is legal to keep) in your livewell or bucket as fast as you can. Doing so gives you considerable breathing room. First, your day is a success, because you have caught a fish. Secondly, if the action does slow down (and it will from time to time) your child has a new fish “friend” to play with.
A few fish in the livewell (or a bucket) will provide entertainment when the fishing slows down. Try to get a few in there ASAP!
Other Useful Maxims
Some other useful tips include:
Bring a spare rod or two that your kids can use while you fix tangles. Plan on fixing tangles constantly. Coach your children to tell you about tangles before they become unmanageable.
Make sure you have snacks and shade. Understand that children will find reasons to whine. Don’t give them any more than you have to. Bring snacks, provide shade, and make sure they’re comfortable.
Make sure you have a plan B. I recommend fishing places that have something else interesting to do. Fishing ponds next to a playscape are a great idea.
Safety Precautions for Fishing With Kids
Fishing doesn’t have to be dangerous, but just remember that you’re fooling around with sharp objects near water, often in the blazing sun, and with the intention of capturing wild animals. Things can go wrong. Here are some of the more common issues to be aware of.
The Sun
The most likely danger you’ll encounter when taking children fishing is the sun, especially if you’re on a boat with little shade. Make sure that you bring large-brimmed hats and liberally apply sunscreen. Consider avoiding the dog days of summer with little wind as they can be unbearable. If you have an option to add a bimini cover to your boat, set it up.
Keep an eye on your kids and remind them to drink water. It’s easy for them to forget to do this. My son gets so engrossed by fishing that if I didn’t remind him to take a drink now and then, he might pass out on the floor!
Don’t be afraid to call it a day or at least avoid mid afternoon. Often, this is the hardest time to catch fish, anyway. Granted, with kids, sometimes you’re working around nap time and can’t always pick your spots, but if you had a choice, I’d recommend mornings or evenings. The fish will bite better and the sun won’t be as brutal.
Hooks and Other Sharp Objects
Hooks are an obvious danger, as are scissors or even sharp pliers. You’d likely supervise young children making a craft at home with scissors, so be doubly aware while fishing with them on a rocking boat.
If you’ve followed my blog for any time, you’ll know that I try to avoid certain types of hooks, like treble hooks, when fishing with kids. These are three-pronged hooks that will stand up straight at all times and tend to be very sharp and thin. All of this is a true recipe for disaster if you ask me. If you search on YouTube or Google for videos or pictures of anglers jabbed by fishing hooks, chances are it’ll be a treble hook. Because of this, I recommend leaving them at home. If you must use them, consider pinching down the barbs.
I’d also highly suggest investing in some sunglasses for your children. First, they’ll help with the obvious sun issues. Secondly, they offer protection against errant hooks. While a hook getting stuck anywhere in a child is a problem, their losing an eye would be a tragedy. Sunglasses provide some peace of mind. If your kid doesn’t want to wear them, pick up a pair of polarized glasses and pitch it to them as a better way to see fish underwater (they reduce sun glare and allow you to see into the water better).
The Water
Kids love water, but water doesn’t always love kids. When on a moving boat, your children should always wear a life jacket. Some states even require them to wear one when the boat is moored, so check local regulations. While you can pick up any old life jacket, I swear by Mustang Survival life jackets for children. If you’re interested in finding out why, check out my review on why Mustang Survival makes the best kids life jackets. While they are a little more expensive than some other options, I don’t recommend skimping on your child’s life vest.
I trust Mustang Survival with the most important people in my life.
Another concern with water is that it can chill your kids quickly if they get it on their clothes. Remember how I told you to get a fish in the livewell or bucket as fast as you could? Well, guess what else is going in there? Your kids’ hands along with their sleeves. This can quickly chill them on a spring or fall morning, so be aware of this and keep some dry clothes to change them into if necessary.
The Animals
With the possible exception of fallfish, just about every type of fish you catch has some way of injuring your kids. Remember – these are live animals who aren’t in on the secret that you intend to thrown them back. For them, this is a life or death struggle and they’re going to use what God gave them to defend themselves as best they can. Here are some of the ways they do this:
Teeth
Teeth are obvious enough. If you catch a species that has them (like northern pike, chain pickerel, walleye, trout, bowfin, etc.) you should not handle these fish by the mouth! Doing so can result in a nasty bite.
Spines
Many of the smaller prey fish out there (such as sunfish, bluegill, and yellow perch) have sharp spines along their dorsal (top) fin that they will extend when caught. These are prickly and can hurt if they catch you just right. On the other hand, they can be folded back down or simply avoided. My son grabs fish fearlessly at this point and just shrugs off the spines as they don’t hurt that bad, but then he also plays hockey. You should at least warn your kids that the spines can jab them.
Bear in mind that some fish, like bullhead, have a toxin in their spine that makes getting jabbed by them especially painful. I’d recommend handling these fish yourself so your kid doesn’t get hurt.
Gill Plate
The gill plate on many fish is quite sharp. I really wouldn’t recommend having kids handle fish by the gill plate. Much can go wrong for the fish, and it functions almost like a blade that can slice a finger.
Further Reading on Fishing Safety With Kids
You’ll find that those are the most common issues to watch out for. Want more advice? Check out my article about safety tips for fishing with kids where I will put the fear of God into you over every little thing that can go wrong! Joking, but not really.
Fishing Gear For Kids
I promised you at the beginning of the post that this article would tell you EXACTLY what kids fishing equipment you needed. I intend to keep that promise. If you’re looking for some lengthy “best of” post, with fifty different recommendations that are supposedly “the best kids fishing poles” (makes you wonder what they think is worst), you won’t find that here. I’m going to keep things simple and to the point.
These are the five pieces of fishing gear for children that you need:
A good kids fishing pole, pre-spooled with line.
A pack of fishing hooks.
Some sinkers or weights.
Spare fishing line for when yours tangles.
Some bait.
All the merchandise links in this article will take you to Amazon, but you should be able to find all of them (or their close equivalent) in your local Wal-Mart fishing aisle. Note that I recommend a few different kids fishing rods. You should choose which one you buy based on how old your child is.
Also note that when I say “best kids fishing pole” I really mean “best kids fishing rod,” but as more people search for fishing “pole” than “rod,” and I’m trying to help people find this post, that’s what I’m rolling with. There is a difference between a fishing pole and a fishing rod if you’re curious. It’s mostly semantics at this point, but I’m a purist at heart!
You’re going to need a weight of some kind. You can get away with some small nuts and bolts, or buy these Tungsten dropshot sinkers (lead works too but is illegal in some states). These should be small. 1/32 oz or 1/16 oz would work.
For fishing line, you’ll get Berkley Trilene XL in 6lb test as a backup. All the kids fishing poles I recommended came with fishing line, but tangles happen and you might need to replace it. Trilene XL is about the best fishing line for kids that you can find.
In addition to this, make sure you bring a pair of needle nose pliers from home. Any pair from your toolbox will work.
That’s it. Nothing crazy. You can buy it all on Amazon and have it here in 2 days. Or, you can go to Wal-Mart and probably find this exact stuff or something close. Again, I’m here to make fishing with kids easy.
Why Did I Pick These Fishing Poles and This Fishing Gear for Kids?
Look, these aren’t the most expensive fishing poles for kids. Likewise, they aren’t necessarily the highest quality out there. What they are, however, is very easy for a beginner to pick up and use. The goal of this entire post is to make things easy, so that you can focus on catching a fish.
You’ll note that I’ve recommended kids rod and reel combos here. Normally, I don’t recommend buying a youth fishing rod and reel combo, because I think you can do better parting stuff out. However, these aren’t normal times. These are desperate times, because your kid wants you to take them fishing, and you don’t know what you’re doing! I don’t want to stress you out even more having you put on your own fishing line or try to assemble your own reel, so I’ve gone with youth fishing combos that start off with line on the spool.
While I did once write an article all about the best kids fishing rods, I’m confident that if you buy the five pieces of equipment above, you’ll be just fine. Let’s break down the gear a little bit to show why.
The Best Kids Fishing Pole
Many posts out there about the best kids fishing pole have 10-20 entries, many of which are junk. I’m going to keep it real simple for you. Let’s and just talk about two that are good fishing rods for kids. If you’re looking for the best beginner fishing rod for kids, I recommended either the Zebco Dock Demon or an Ugly Stik. They are the perfect size for young anglers, and can stand up to the abuse kids put them through.
Steer clear of the fishing poles with princesses or cars on them. Let’s put it this way. If you buy one of my recommendations, you’ll use them with multiple kids. If you buy a toy fishing rod, you’ll be lucky if you can use them for multiple fishing trips.
Zebco Dock Demon
My kids have been fishing a Zebco Dock Demon since they were little. At 30″, it’s the perfect size for fishing with 2 or 3 year olds. It stands up well and will catch fish. My son wasn’t exactly careful with it, and smacked and dropped it every which way. Even so, it lasted long enough for my daughter to use it a few years later. I have pictures to prove it. Here’s a photo of the front of my book. You’ll note that my then 2-year-old son is fishing with a Zebco Dock Demon (you’ll also note that I’m photographed wearing a fanny pack on a nationally distributed book, but form follows function).
Trust me, I’m not going to try and sell you on something that doesn’t work. If you’re taking your kids out fishing and you have a 2 or 3 year old in tow, pick up a Zebco Dock Demon for them at Amazon and keep them entertained.
The Ugly Stik Combos
I spend a lot of time on my blog raving about how Ugly Stik makes some of the best rods for fishing with kids. I’ve been fishing with these since I was a kid myself. Now, my children are now using a number of the same fishing poles from my past.
As I mentioned, the particular Ugly Stik fishing rods I recommended above are combos. While I do earnestly believe you can find better stuff by parting it out, that overcomplicates things for a kid’s first fishing trip. The combos I recommended will work great for your children and help them catch their first fish. There’s a great chance your grandchildren will be using the same fishing rods some day.
Why Am I Recommending Spinning Reels Instead of Spincast Reels?
Many people recommend that kids start off with spincast reels. I don’t. While spincast reels are easier to cast, here’s the thing: if your kid isn’t old enough to learn how to cast a spinning reel, they aren’t old enough to cast on their own, anyway. You should be casting for your children when you’re all getting started. If you don’t, one of these three things is GUARANTEED to happen:
Your child will cast into the first bush or tree they (don’t) see.
There’s an extremely good chance you or another bystander will be hooked and hurt.
Your kid’s fishing line will tangle into the worst birds nest imaginable almost instantly.
Unless you bring along spare fishing rods (which isn’t a bad idea, frankly), you really don’t want your kids casting on their first time out. If your kids are anything like my three-year-old daughter, this is going to cause some issues (“I can do it!” is one of her favorite slogans). You’ll want to set some clear ground rules in advance (remember those maxims we discussed)!
Why Did I Only Recommend Fishing Hooks Instead of Lures?
It is much easier to catch a fish with a hook and a worm than it is with a fishing lure. Lures are artificial and require some skill to convince fish that they’re something worth eating. Worms, on the other hand, are actual food and fish (at least the dumb ones, which are the ones you’re looking for when you take your kids out fishing) don’t need any convincing. While I do have some articles about the best kids fishing lures, can you just trust me on this? Grab a pack of Aberdeen panfish hooks in size 4 and keep things simple for the first few fishing trips with your children.
Now, you are going to need to bait these hooks. Nightcrawlers are your best bet, and you should do your best to keep them alive and healthy as fish prefer live worms to dead ones. You could also fish with corn, though you’ll want to check and see if that is legal in your state.
Alternatives to Live Bait
Some people are uneasy about using worms or other live bait. I get it. Before I was a dad, I didn’t like using live bait either. If you don’t want to fish with worms for whatever reason, then buy some of those Berkley gulp minnows I talked about earlier. Get the 1″ size if you can, but no larger than 1.5″. This is small enough that panfish can grab them. Use a color that is either gray or black – something natural.
I personally have had much better luck by buying Berkley Gulp minnows in the plastic tanks filled with liquid than the dry pouches. The liquid is a proprietary scent and the lures come doused in it. They give off a good scent trail in the water which really calls the fish in. Berkley claims that Gulp out fishes live bait, and I’ve had several days where they were right. It’s certainly pricey compared to nightcrawlers, but well worth it.
Why Berkley Trilene XL is the Best Fishing Line for Kids
Granted the kids fishing rod and reel combos I recommended earlier come pre-spooled with fishing line, but that will only last so long. You’re only a few epic tangles (read: about 5 minutes away when fishing with small children) from needing to put on fresh line, so you’d better buy a pack.
If you’re looking for the best fishing line for kids, it’s Berkley Trilene XL, hands down. This isn’t fancy stuff. Indeed, it’s been around for decades and some thumb their noses at it, considering it “simple.” Simple is exactly what you want when you’re fishing with kids. Berkley Trilene XL is soft, easy to manage, and inexpensive. It casts well, is easy to tie knots with, and is strong. You can also find it anywhere. Amazon carries it, but it’s also at any local sports shop that carries fishing gear, guaranteed.
Since I’m trying to keep things simple here by setting you up with gear you don’t need to spool, I’m not going to give you the instructions how to do that here. However, I do walk you through that process in my post about the basic skills you need to take a kid fishing if you need some help.
Avoid Fluorocarbon When Fishing With Kids
Fluorocarbon is a mess to deal with and will have you wondering why your fishing line unravels from your spool so easily. It’s not a good fishing line for beginners because it’s so hard to keep it pliable.
Braided Fishing Line Can Cut Children
Braid is extremely strong fishing line that won’t coil up, but it is sharp and can easily cut your kids. Most of my injuries while fishing have come from using this line. Let’s say your child catches a good sized fish – that’s the dream, right? If your kid doesn’t want to touch the fish, they’ll hold the line instead. Now let’s suppose that fish thrashes suddenly. That thin braided rope is going to burn or cut your child’s hands.
Why You Need to Buy Some Fishing Sinkers
Well, I suppose you technically don’t. As mentioned earlier, you can use some nuts or bolts or anything heavy that you don’t mind losing as a weight. I’d simply recommend you stay away from lead sinkers. For one, lead isn’t good for you or the environment. Secondly, some lead sinkers are illegal in some states like Massachusetts.
You can pick up any sinkers you find that are affordable. Ones that are shaped like this work very well, but don’t fret if you can’t find their exact match. Just make sure you buy or scrounge up a weight, because we’re going to use them to tie a drop shot, which I’ll describe in the next section.
How to Fish With Kids – The Mechanics
Here we will discuss the mechanics of fishing. This could fill an entire book, but I’m going to keep things simple and teach you three things:
You’ll learn how to tie a drop shot rig.
We’ll discuss how to cast a spinning rod.
I’ll teach you how to hook, fight, and land a fish.
While there’s plenty more to learn, I promised to keep things simple These three skills will be enough to help your kids catch a fish.
How to Tie a Drop Shot Rig
At a glance, the drop shot rig should look like this:
The drop shot – a tried and true technique for fishing with kids.
The drop shot rig is just a hook tied with a Palomer Knot where a sinker is attached to the tag end. To tie a Palomer Knot, thread your line through your hook and then pass the tag end back through the eye again (figure 1). Take the loop this forms, and tie a simple overhand knot around the standing line and tag line with the loop (figure 2). Now, take the loop and pass the hook itself through it (figure 3). Finally, pull on both the hook and the tag/main line until the line is fully tightened (figure 4). You would now attach a sinker of your choice to the tag end (I like to leave about 12″ of line between the sinker and the hook, but you can experiment with different lengths).
The Benefits to the Drop Shot Rig
The reason I’m so high on the drop shot is its versatility. It will catch literally any fish in the lake and can quickly be converted to a simple hook and worm by removing the sinker. You can also rig up a bobber to it easily enough (even if I hate fishing with bobbers with a passion).
Drop shot rigs work very well in a variety of locations. Basically, anywhere that they won’t be fouled by weeds is a good place to throw them. They do very well in rocks (especially if you use cylindrical drop shot weights that won’t get stuck as easily in nooks and crannies), and are perfect for dropping near a school of sunfish or perch.
Finally, they’re a breeze for kids to cast, and don’t have treble hooks that you need to worry about. The hooks used tend to be quite small and thin, sure, but they don’t have too much of a barb to them and don’t pose as much danger as some other options.
How to Cast a Spinning Rod
Casting a spinning reel can seem daunting if you’re used to a spincast reel, but it’s really not that hard. My son was able to learn it at a very young age and with a little practice, so will you.
To learn how to cast a spinning rod, you need to know what the bail is. The bail is a metal loop that leads to a line guide. Its purpose is to keep line from falling off your reel. When the bail is opened, line can freely fall unless you do something about it. What you need to do is to hold the line with your index finger (young kinds might use their second hand) to keep it taut. When you go to cast your rod, you would release your finger from the line when you’re ready for your lure to fly.
Essentially, whereas with a spincast reel you hold onto a button and release it when you’re ready for your lure to cast, with a spinning reel, “the button” is the line itself, and you hold it with your index finger.
Hooking, Fighting, and Landing Fish
Once you get a fish to bite, you need to do three things: hook, fight, and land it! Here’s a few handy tips for each.
Hooking Fish
When you feel a fish start to nibble, you want to set the hook. Setting the hook means driving it through the fish’s mouth so the fish is stuck. You do this with either a short jerking or sweeping motion depending on what type of hook you’re using. If you don’t set the hook, you’re basically hoping that the fish bit down hard enough to snag itself. This isn’t always the case.
Just be careful when you set the hook not to pull too hard. For one, you might rip the hook out of the fish’s mouth. More critically, you might find you’ve sent the hook back flying towards you and your children! This can get dangerous in a hurry and is the second most likely way (behind casting) that someone gets hooked. Take it easy there sport and don’t go nuts!
Fighting Fish
Fighting fish boils down to three main objectives:
Keep the fish hooked.
Prevent the line from breaking.
Guide the fish away from cover, and to the boat or shore.
Keeping Fish Hooked
To keep a fish hooked, you need to maintain pressure on the line. When a hooked fish is under pressure (which is easy to tell by your rod bending), it means that the hook is grappled into the fish’s mouth. When there is no pressure, the hook can fall limp and be dislodged. Thus, it’s important to keep pressure on the fish.
While it’s not something I’d recommend for adults when fighting big fish, the easiest way to get kids to do this is simply to tell them to keep their rod up high. This has some disadvantages (the fish may be more inclined to jump, and in a worst case scenario, “high sticking” can cause the rod to break), but with little kids, it really is your best bet.
While “high sticking” can be problematic, the bottom line is it is the easiest way to help a kid catch some fish. Kids don’t really listen to the instruction well enough to cause a grave danger with the technique, anyway.
Preventing Your Fishing Line From Breaking While Fighting Fish
Fishing line has a line test, which means the amount of force it can endure before it breaks. For example, 6lb line can withstand 6lb of pressure. However, this does not mean that 6lb line can only catch fish 6lbs and smaller. Indeed, substantially larger fish are often caught on smaller test line. This can be done for a few reasons.
First, the rod itself absorbs some of the pressure and acts like a shock absorber on a car. It is very important to maintain a bend in the rod so that the line won’t snap. If your child points the rod tip right at the fish and prevents this bend from forming, the line can easily snap.
Secondly, your reel’s drag system will allow line to pull off the reel when a certain force is applied. Your spinning reel will either have a dial at the top above the spool, or below it. With most manufacturers, twisting this clockwise will increase the drag (meaning, it will be harder for line to pull off) while turning it counter-clockwise will decrease the drag.
A good rule of thumb is to ensure that line will pull off with a bit of pressure, but won’t fly off. This will help you prevent your kid’s from losing a fish that takes a sudden run, but will also ensure that your child can make some progress against larger fish.
Keeping Fish Away From Cover
When you’re fishing near cover (rocks, piers, laydowns, docks, etc.) bear in mind that this cover is the fish’s home base. Chances are, when they feel the pinch of the hook they’re going to go scooting off for home. Try to be aware of this when fishing and make an effort to keep your kids aware of it too. Their going to want to try and steer fish away from heavy cover as well as possible. If they don’t the fish can get tied up around the cover and break off.
Landing Fish
Once your child has tired a fish out and it is near the shore or the boat, you need to land it. If the kid you’re fishing with is fairly small, or excitable, you’ll want to help. The goal is to get the fish safely out of the water without injuring it or having it escape.
Small fish, like sunfish, bluegills, and yellow perch can simply be lifted out of the water. Your kid will probably end up reeling these fish close to their rod tip (which you want to tell them to avoid) before you know it, anyway. However, when you start tackling larger fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, chain pickerel, and northern pike, you’ll probably want to use a net.
While it is possible to land any fish without a net, things will go much smoother and safely if you use a landing net. I prefer landing nets like the Frabil Conservation Series net as its rubber netting is better for fish. It also catches less barbs than traditional rope/fiber nets. This is a win-win for everyone!
When attempting to land a fish with a net, try to guide the fish head first into the net and seize it with a scooping motion. Be careful not to jab at it, because if you miss and bonk the fish’s nose with the edge of the fishing net’s rim, there’s a good chance you’ll knock the fish off.
The moment that you attempt to hand your child the rod is the fish’s best chance of escape. Remember how I mentioned keeping pressure on the line and not allowing any slack is critical? Well, this is very challenging to do when handing a line from one person to the next. You need to ensure that before you pass the rod, your child knows to grab it and keep pressure on. You’ll help yourself tremendously if you ensure that you hand it to them with a bow in the rod meaning that the fish is under pressure. Do not allow slack to form before handing it over as there’s a great chance you’ll impart at least a little on the transition.
This might take you a few times to get right, especially if you’re targeting larger species. Don’t let your frustration seep through or let your kid down. Both of you need your A game to make this work so don’t let any nagging doubts creep in.
What Types of Fish are Good Targets for Children?
That old cliche that there’s plenty of fish in the sea is also true about fish species, but we won’t bother with that. We’re going to put fish into two broad buckets: easy fish to catch, and “kicker fish” to take a beaming photograph of. As mentioned in the maxims section, the idea is that you want to to get a fish into the livewell as fast as possible. This means that you should focus on catching “easy fish,” not “kicker fish.”
An easy fish is one that will bite repeatedly, aggressively, and without much trouble. They don’t require special gear or know how, and basically just require you to show up where they are and drop a worm in front of their face. Fish like sunfish, bluegill, crappie, rock bass, and yellow perch are considered “easy fish.” They were probably the first fish that you ever caught, and they’ll be the first your kids catch too.
“Kicker fish” are the fish your kids are going to go show off at Show & Tell the next day. These are the fish that are a little bit bigger than the easy fish, and will pull a little line. They’ll put a bend in the rod and a smile on the face. These will be the photos you put up on the big screen during their wedding day.
Kicker fish are not the goal. Easy fish are what you’re after. Kicker fish live in the same areas, however, so with time, you’ll get one naturally.
How to Catch Panfish
Panfish (bluegill, sunfish, yellow and white perch, as well as crappie) are great fish to target with kids, because they’re relatively simple to catch. They aren’t particularly smart, are extremely common, and will put up a decent fight on the light or ultralight rods you might use with your kids.
Panfish hang around docks, wood, and weeds. In clear enough water, you can often see panfish even if fishing from shore. Oddly, even though you can see them, they’ll still often take a bite at your worm!
Where to Find Panfish
Panfish are common in many lakes and ponds. When fishing from shore, you’ll be able to find them near most types of cover. For example, weed lines, rocks, and standing/fallen timber. When fishing from shore, you will probably notice there are “community spots.” You can recognize these because there will be signs of repeated human activity. These include worn areas where there is no grass, and, unfortunately, trash.
While these spots are often productive (and frankly, often your best shot when taking kids with you) just be advised that they may have been overfished recently. Sometimes, you may be better off taking a few steps off to the side or trying to find a good spot that not as many folks frequent.
Ideally, you’ll find a spot that has easy access to 3-6′ of water near cover. I like to use a drop shot tied on with a worm or gulp minnow to search for panfish. I don’t put my rod down. Rather, I hold onto it waiting to detect their bites. If there are panfish in the area, it usually doesn’t take too long to get a nibble.
Another outstanding place to find panfish is near creek mouths. Sometimes you’ll find them right in the mouth itself, while other times they’ll be a bit further back. These spots are especially productive in early spring and fall. During the height of summer, boat docks, rocks, and other places that toss a lot of shade can hold many fish.
A cross section of where to find panfish most days. Cover provides protection and shade both for the panfish and their prey.
What Size Hook to Use for Panfish
There’s a pond near my house that I take my children to often. It is popular, and there are frequently other families fishing next to us. We habitually take more fish than them, and it usually isn’t close. This isn’t really due to skill, but due to hook size. I’ve found that when I walk over to help out, they have a monster hook tied onto their line. I fish with very small hooks, usually size 4 or 6 in a panfish hook. This set has a good range of sizes that work well for panfish.
Basically, you want to make sure that the fish can actually fit the hook in their mouth. If they can’t, they will simply peck away at the sides of your worm until the hook is stripped bare.
I’d also recommend using just a little piece of a worm. There is no need to thread on the entire thing when going for panfish. If you do, you’ll find that most fish steal parts of the worm without being hooked. By taking a small chunk and placing it right near the point of the hook, your chances for success increase substantially.
How to Catch a Big Fish With Your Kids
There’s a very good chance that if you simply soak a worm for long enough, your kids will tie into a larger fish eventually. However, no one will dispute that you’re more likely to catch larger fish if you specifically target them.
Trying to catch a big fish with your kids requires either more skill, or more patience.
As your child’s casting accuracy and distance increases, you can tie on a spinnerbait for them. This is a lure that rarely catches panfish. Most bites will be a bass or larger. If your child lacks the skill set or desire to continuously cast, if you have a boat, you can try trolling. I wrote an article about trolling for pickerel which has become one of my go-to ways to catch fish with smaller kids in tow.
With more patience, you can tying on chunks of chicken liver onto a circle hook for bullhead and catfish. This is very much a “soak and wait” type of presentation, so ensure you have some distractions nearby.
If you’re serious about catching a larger fish with your kids, I’d take them out in the evening as the sun is setting. While you’ll need good bug spray, larger fish tend to be more active at this time and you’ll have a better shot at catching one.
Other Helpful Resources
Fishing has a ton of great content producers out there besides FishingFather publishing blogs, videos, books, and magazines frequently. One of my favorites is In-Fisherman magazine, which is great because it looks at ALL major freshwater species of North America, rather than just bass.
I’m also a huge fan of Uncut Angling’s YouTube channel. While some of his stuff is a bit advanced, he brings passion to the sport, has great tips, fishes year round, and just has some awesome fun videos to help get your kids excited about the sport.
On the other hand, if you, the parent are looking for help, check out my book, “Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide” for help centered from the adult’s perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fishing With Kids
I thought it would be best to close with a few “quick hit” questions that I hear from time to time from parents new to the sport. Some of these have been answered up above, but it helps to have them in one spot.
At What Age Does My Child Need a Fishing License?
All states allow very young children to fish without a fishing license, but a few require that their chaperon have one. Arizona has the strictest laws in terms of age, as kids less than 10 years old need a fishing license of their own. For more information, please see an article where I researched if a kid needs a fishing license in all 50 states.
What Size Hook Should I Use for Panfish?
Because panfish have very small mouths, you’ll want to use a smaller hook. I recommend panfish long shank hooks in the size 4 to 6 or so, but this set has a bit wider range that includes some other good sizes you can experiment with.
What is the Best Fishing Line to Use With Children?
I recommend 6lb test Berkley Trilene XL. It casts smooth, has low memory, is inexpensive, and is a tried and true brand I’ve been using since I was a kid myself. 6lb test is a good size that will fit on most spinning reels, even small ones kids use. It is strong enough to allow your child to catch bass and even larger fish, assuming the drag is set appropriately.
Well that was a doozy of an article, wasn’t it? But then, this is an expansive topic that can take a lifetime to master. I hope this helped condense that a little bit into something you could chew through in a weekend and have a good time on the water with your children!
Please feel free to send me stories or photos of your fishing adventures and successes. I’d love to hear feedback if this guide or my books helped you on your journey!
Every kid wants their parents to take them fishing, but I’m sad to report that I’ve met far too many parents who don’t. Yes, plenty of youths go their entire lives without having someone take them out for a fishing adventure. If you’re reading this, it’s time to break that miserable reality. You shouldn’t need much convincing; fishing’s awesome, end of story. You should absolutely take your child out fishing with you, every chance you get. Here are are a boatload of 31 reasons why you should take your kids out fishing with you this weekend.
1. Fishing Makes Shots at the Doctor’s Less Horrifying
I have legitimately used my son’s fishing experiences to help him through getting his shots at the doctors. Before I thought of doing this, shot day was the worst. There would tears, begging, screaming and fits.
How did fishing change all of this? Bluegill dorsal spines.
My child insists on holding his own fish and bringing them over to the livewell. With smaller fish, this means that he is routinely poked and jabbed by their dorsal spines and fins, which can feel pretty similar to the prick of a shot. He just never notices because he’s having fun and wants to handle fish “just like Daddy.”
It took me a few rounds at the doctor’s before I figured this out, but once I started talking to him about bluegill and how he gets spined and got him to acknowledge that it’s no big deal, I explained that getting a shot is just like a bluegill pricking him really quick – no big deal.
This got him smiling and it was clear the wheels were turning in his head as he said, “Ok,” and let the doctor treat him. We walked out of there with no tears and headed straight for the toy store to celebrate what an awesome job he did.
2. The Boat Is A Great Place to Potty Train Them
One of the greatest benefits of fishing with a two year old was we were able to potty train our son on the boat. We have a vinyl floor that gets far worse on it throughout the course of the fishing season, so if there was a little “spray” it was easy to correct. It was also great for our son because we didn’t have to pull him away from anything to go potty – just have a quick seat and, “why sure, kid, hold onto your rod while you’re at it.”
I’m sure we got a few weird looks fishing with our kid in his underwear, but it worked, he was trained quickly, without any fuss, and in a place that was very easy to clean.
Note the potty and all-vinyl floor–a great combination.
3. Fishing = Kids + Water. Enough Said.
Parents need no explanation for this. I just thought I’d remind everyone of the obvious. Just remember to bring a change of clothes with you or that car seat is getting soaked.
4. They’ll Spend Less Time on Screens
The more time your kids are on the water, the less time they’re in front of a screen. Get your kids hooked early on fishing so that you’ll always have this in your back pocket to get them outside.
It’s so hard to find things that will get kids engaged enough to leave the screen these days, but fishing is such a big production that it’s one of the few things that can compete. There’s all the fishing gear to assemble and talk about, all the different species that they might catch, all the fun of hanging out on a boat, or trudging through the woods to find a good fishing spot along a riverbank. It’s a winner.
Even if you do find that you need to hand your toddler your cell phone for a few moments while you retie, they’re quick to hand it back with no fuss in exchange for their rod back. That’s about the only thing on earth (aside, perhaps from a chocolate mousse mouse) that has that effect on my son.
5. When They Are on Screens, It’ll Be “Educational”
Look, if fishing with your children ignites a passion, you’re going to find your kids in front of television screens now and then, but instead of Saturday morning cartoons, you may find them watching fishing programs! I know a screen is a screen but take solace in the fact that at least they’re watching something educational.
If you haven’t seen it yet, you should search for Glen Lau’s “Bigmouth.” I purchased it years ago but am having a hard time finding a place where you can buy new copies of the DVD. There are some YouTube videos out there with a large portion of the show uploaded that you’ll find in your search. I’m leery to link them as I wonder if they’re legal, but you can find them quickly on YouTube yourself.
This film is great because they show underwater footage of largemouth bass behavior, including their spawn. While there are some fishing scenes, it is much more of a nature documentary than a fishing show. You may find it illuminating.
6. Fishing Helps Kids Learn to Listen
I swear I’m not kidding – my son actually listens when he has a fish on the line. I know that’s counter-intuitive as you’d think that pairing a small child with a live fish thrashing at the end of a hook, but it’s true. He carefully listens to my coaching, stops reeling when he hears the drag “ziiiiiip!,” and holds his rod up high when I tell him to.
He does this because he’s in the zone and really wants to land that fish. He’s open to guidance and suggestions and coaching and willing to hear what I have to say. This has worked out really well for him as he’s landed some fish that I don’t think I would have at his age.
This extends beyond fishing because sometimes I refer back to a large fish he caught and tell him that it’s so important to listen, because I’m trying to tell him something important that will help him. By doing this, I’m breaking down a situation he doesn’t understand (for example, why he can’t break away from me in a parking lot) into one that he does (whey he needs to let a fish run when it’s pulling drag).
There’s a method to the madness of all the fables and fairy tales that we read to our kids, and it’s usually so that we can refer back to a lesson that a character learned at one point. It’s all the better if the lesson is one that your child learned themselves while fighting a catfish.
Frankly, if getting your kids to finally listen isn’t a great reason to take them fishing, I don’t know what is.
7. It Teaches Kids Strategy
There’s nothing wrong with developing strategic thought from an early age, and fishing will provide plenty of lessons in strategy.
Pretty much every time you head to the lake, you want to have some sort of plan in mind as to where you’ll start casting, what lures you’ll start using, and what type of habitat you think the fish will hang around. If you’ve read my article filled with tips about how to scout your future fishing spots from the comfort of your home, then chances are you’ve spent some considerable time thinking about your trip long before you started it.
Involve your children with this planning process! Bring them over to the map the night before and let them know where you’re thinking about fishing and why. Explain to them what you’re looking for – is it a different depth? A certain type of cover or weedline? The important thing is to let them see that you are approaching fishing thoughtfully and strategically so they will start to emulate you.
After you’ve gone out with them a few times, let them take control. Ask them to plan the fishing trip (give them a few tips) and then execute on that plan and see how it went. Having a debrief of each trip will let you revisit what your plan originally was and also what changes, if any, you had to make during the day. It will also assist you in coming up with a better plan for the future.
8. Fishing Teaches Kids to Deal with Change
Being able to deal with change is one of the most critical skills that you can teach your children. Change will be constant throughout their lives and will create chaos unless they know how to take a deep breath and muddle through.
Taking kids fishing is a great place to teach them how to reason with change because it’s everywhere in the sport. The seasons are the most glaring example, but offer a good way to talk to children about the seasonal patterns of fish, where you can expect to find them during the year, and how active they might be.
Change can be much more rapid in fishing. The tides are a good example as the rock or jetty that you caught so many fish on earlier might soon be consumed by the sea, forcing you to try something different.
Even just the process of losing a trusted fishing lure to a snag brings about change. It’s not a fun feeling to be forced to move from one technique that was catching fish in droves to something else that’s unproven for the day, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need to do.
Here, my son is embracing change like a champ.
9. Fishing Teaches Problem Solving Skills
Problems arise frequently while fishing and having your kids observe you while you solve a few (and then having them solve a few on their own) teaches kids to work through a tough situation and come up with a solution.
A good place to show your kids how to do this would be with Senko-styled worms. While they’re one of the best fishing lures for beginners, if you’ve ever used them, you know that just rigging them right on a hook is an expensive proposition as they tend to tear off the hook easily and are lost. You may have heard of sliding o-rings up the worm and then attaching your hook to that instead, as it tends to keep the worm attached much better.
This, unfortunately, presents a whole new problem: sliding the o-ring up the worm’s body will often damage the worm. Some enterprising folks came up with a tool that you can buy that does work very well, but if you don’t have it (or don’t want to buy it), you can also use your needle nose pliers as seen in the photo below.
Simply place the o-ring on the pliers while they’re shut and then open them enough to allow you to slide the worm through. Then, slide the o-ring off of the pliers and onto the worm wherever you want.
This solves a problem, and by walking your kids through your thought process it will start triggering them to think of new and creative ways to solve problems of their own.
This effective solution saves you money both from less broken worms, and also removing the need to purchase a specific tool.
10. Fishing Teaches Kids to Stay Organized
There are many disorganized people, including myself, who can only find order in their tackle box. As cluttered as my desk may be, my tackle bag has everything organized exactly as I like it so that I can find it quickly.
My son took an interest in my tackle boxes from an early age. We used to go down to the basement after I’d get home from work and just look at all the crankbaits and see how I organized them.
Now when we’re done fishing together, I ask my kids to help me “police up the boat.” We store all our rods away neatly where they go and make sure the net is in good condition and exactly where we need it. I have no interest in teaching them organization the hard way by losing their fish because the net is inaccessible!
When my children are older and it’s time for their own tackle box, they’ll do what all kids do when tasked with this for the first time — mess around and play with their plastic worms and lizards. However, once they get that out of their system, I trust that they’ll start organizing their lures by type and color and making sure everything has a proper place. It’s all part of the fun of fishing!
11. Fishing Helps Kids Provide for the Family
While it’s not necessary to always keep what you catch, and you’d probably want to practice selective harvest when you do, fishing is, nonetheless, a great way to put food on the table, and one of the few ways that a young child can contribute to the production and livelihood of the family.
If your family relies on nature for meat, letting your children take part in gathering will make them feel relevant, important, and esteemed. Most kids want to pull their weight. They will literally step into your shoes and emulate you. Fishing is a great way for them to do that.
12. Your Kids Will Develop a Greater Respect for Nature
I mentioned selective harvest above and linked to anIn-Fisherman article about the need for it. You ought to read it if you get a chance. The theory is that both catch & take as well as catch & release kind of miss the mark.
If one were to eat every fish they caught, they would soon find themselves with no fish left to catch. Yet at the same time, throwing back every fish can lead to overpopulation and stunted growth, especially in smaller ponds.
The idea behind selective harvest is that you want to release the truly large and magnificent fish as they are the ones genetically predisposed to have babies that will also grow to massive proportion. Instead, you should focus on keeping and eating smaller fish (where legal) who are more abundant (and usually taste better too).
Practicing this and teaching it to your kids will tend to get them thinking about the natural order of things and how they can negatively influence nature if they aren’t careful.
You’d also do well to take a little bag out for garbage whenever you’re taking your kids fishing. First of all, kids create a massive amount of garbage all on their own, seemingly out of thin air. But secondly, when your child observes you going through the effort to lean over and pick some trash up, they are more likely to to appreciate why we shouldn’t litter, and become better stewards for the planet.
Likewise, police up your old fishing line. Don’t let it stay stuck in the tree, or just toss it on the ground. Explain to your children how birds and other animals can become trapped or ensnared by the line, and encourage your children to always pick up after themselves.
If you explain why you’re taking the time to clean up after others, it will be a good start for your budding conservationists.
There’s nothing more likely to breed appreciation for the natural world than going out in it.
13. Fishing Teaches Kids About the Circle of Life
Even if you did intend to release each fish you caught, despite our best efforts, there is death in fishing. Hooks are sharp, and smaller fish are sometimes taken by larger ones as they struggle by the boat. Occasionally, a fish that seems perfectly fine just won’t swim off again, and that’s not even to mention what happens to the worms.
Death is part of life and though it’s a complicated topic and one I’d generally steer clear of with little kids, they’re going to be curious about it. At the very least, if they ask, you can explain how death works for animals, and how one life nourishes and sustains another.
You probably don’t want to linger on this topic longer than necessary, but it is something you’re going to need to explain to your children someday, and a quiet evening among the lily pads is as good a place for such a somber moment as any.
14. Your Kids Will Learn Self Reliance
Oftentimes when things go wrong out on the water, you have to fix them yourself. Perhaps you have an issue with a battery connection, or maybe all your tackle gets tangled up. Perhaps you’ve even bungled through some comedic fishing mistakes. No one is going to fix these issues for you, but your kids will certainly watch with a keen eye while you attempt a remedy.
I remember I was once out fishing some miles from home, having a grand old time and absolutely slaying some pickerel when I looked back and noticed my boat was sinking! I didn’t know it at the time, but the livewell intake had broken clean off the boat and was flooding the bilge.
This was an interesting dilemma, to say the least. I pointed my trolling motor in the direction of home and started frantically bailing (this old boat didn’t have a bilge pump, naturally). Anyway, I managed to bail it enough to where I thought I could use the outboard. I got home and retrieved the boat and saw the problem.
This was, of course, right at the start of my vacation and I thought it was all over. My boat had a giant hole in it, after all! Luckily, my friend introduced me to the amazing curative powers of J-B Weld, and after finding an appropriate plug we were able to get everything nice and dry and keep on fishing.
Telling your kids little stories like that (or living them out right next to each other) can make a big difference in how self reliant they grow to be.
15. Your Kids Will Become More Resilient
Not all fish that are hooked on any given day will be landed, and having your child go through this minor disappointment repeatedly will begin to teach them resilience and how to move on from setbacks without throwing a temper tantrum. This will only work, however, if the adult they’re fishing with is a good role model and also just let’s it go with a smile.
If a fish breaks your fishing line, it’s very tempting to let your frustration get the best of you and start complaining or groaning. Avoid this temptation and instead just focus on how much fun it was to fight the fish. “Gosh that sure was a big one! Let’s see if we can catch him again!” Often, fish school and another large one is just a few casts away!
16. Fishing Rewards Hard Work
Sometimes you have to really work for a bite. While this isn’t a great situation to be in with toddlers (you really want to make things as easy as possible for them), older kids can start to develop a good work ethic by fishing.
An angler often carefully prepares their gear well into the night and then rises before the sun to drive to the lake, launch the boat, and head out fishing. Hundreds if not thousands of casts may be made throughout the day, and dozens if not more knots will be retied. They may or may not catch fish during this process, but if they do, they’ll need to be skillfully played and landed. When the day is up, the boat needs to be retrieved, drained, and dried. Then everything needs to be packed up for the night. It can often be a 14-hour “work day.”
Just in case it isn’t obvious, you should NOT take your kids out for that long, but if they love fishing, they might start talking about becoming a professional angler. That’s a wonderful opportunity to talk about how hard the pros work and how much they sacrifice. For the most part, professional fishermen are good role models for your kids. Take advantage of that and use it to get your kids to start cleaning their room!
17. Fishing Teaches Delayed Gratification
This kind of goes hand in hand with how fishing rewards hard work, but it is a sport where there is delayed gratification involved. You do certain tasks in the hopes of being rewarded in the (hopefully not too distant) future. This is an important task for children to learn or else they turn into college grads wondering why they can’t immediately land a six-figure job.
Now, with small kids, you want to do your best to make sure that delay lasts as short as possible (I find 5 seconds is about right when fishing with babies and infants). If you want some tips on how to scout effectively to try and quickly put them on prime fishing grounds, check out preparing for a fishing trip with kids.
18. Fishing Teaches Kids to Win and Lose Gracefully
Fishing is a sport and one that kids can take part in from a fairly young age. There are many youth tournaments organized by various bass clubs, national programs, and also just different towns. There’s only one winner, of course, and that’s not always going to be your child.
Getting kids involved in sports early is important to help them learn to win and lose graciously, and fishing does tend to soften the blow a bit because whereas in most sports, there is one winner and one loser, in fishing, there could be one winner and hundreds of people who will have to try again next time.
If you’re one of those parents who has trouble stomaching that your kids are going to lose from time to time, fishing might help you too as being part of the 99 “also-rans” isn’t nearly as bad as outright defeat (there are also frequently prizes of some sort for many places beyond first).
19. There’s No Better Time for Quiet Conversations
When I’m with my son in the boat, it’s just the two of us and nature. We’re able to fill the time with quiet conversations about life, his thoughts and feelings, and my expectations and hopes for him.
I really enjoy our time together, especially when we both put down the rods for a little bit and just let the boat do the work by trolling. We like to eat peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and eat hummus and crackers while talking about this and that and waiting for a fish to strike.
If you don’t know how to set up a trolling run, check out this post on trolling for chain pickerel. This is a great technique for when you want to just concentrate on your company rather than casting, but still not give up fishing.
20. You’re Taking Your Kids on an Adventure!
Don’t think of a fishing trip with your kids only being about the fish; you’re taking your children on a fishing adventure! If the forecast is calm enough, make a journey out of it. Take them to see a really cool rock formation or to visit some “mysterious island.”
Make a big deal out of the landmarks you expect to see, and ask them to keep a lookout. Then, when they loom into view, make a huge deal out of it so they’re excited they finally got to see it.
Likewise, have a “checklist” of different birds or animals you hope to see over the summer. Will this trip be the one you finally see a muskrat? How about a loon? Or maybe even a deer swimming in the water? Take every opportunity to simply be excited to spend all this time with your children.
A bridge looming in the distance is a great landmark to take your kids to investigate closer.
21. You’ll Travel to Places You Might Have Overlooked
Fishing gives you an excuse to go the extra mile. It’s often an excuse to break away for a day on vacation and do something that most tourists don’t. In the process, you’ll get to see the natural beauty of this great Republic.
Here’s a great example of how to make your trip to Florida all the more memorable:
When you take the kids to Disney World, consider calling up Captain Mickey Maynard and taking a fishing charter over in the Harris Chain of lakes. It’s only a few miles away and is a unique experience that most of the tourists who head down that way never get to experience. Moving past the willow trees in the canals at dawn as alligators glide by you and Bowfin explode on your spinnerbait is one of those things every kid should get to experience.
22. You’ll Get Great Photo Ops
I had to make a New Year’s resolution to be more present in family photo albums during the winter months, because as soon as the water froze over I tended to disappear for months in the calendars my wife makes each year to celebrate all our adventures.
I am, however, all over those calendars for the summer months though I usually am standing next to my son who is showing off the latest fish he caught. Fishing with my children is about the only way to get me in front of a camera!
Someday, he’ll have thousands of photos to show his own children and to inspire him to take them out fishing and pass down this passion to another generation.
You’ll also get some great landscape photos that remind you that you really lived.
23. Fishing Lets Kids Get a Little Dirty
I can’t keep my son away from the fishing worms while we’re on the lake. He loves looking at the critters and taking them out when we need a new one. He also enjoys leaving it RIGHT between the walk-in windshield, where everyone needs to walk, and I’m not getting more agile as I age.
The boat gets dirty, the kid plays in the dirt, the kid is happy. I bought a boat with a complete vinyl floor, so I shrug it off.
If we’re fishing a pond from the bank, I just make sure he’s wearing some shoes and clothes that can get dirty and let him have a ball. We time bath day around fishing adventures so I don’t have to constantly tell him to stop having fun.
24. Your Kids Can Play With Bugs
Alright, so worms aren’t exactly bugs, but perhaps you’re using some crickets, or there are just a lot of dragonflies and water striders buzzing about. The bottom line is fishing gets kids up close and personal with bugs more often than not, and what kid doesn’t love that?
Bugs are a great distraction when the fishing slows too. You can’t always count on fish biting, but if you’re fishing from a bank and have access to a rocky shore, help your child turn a few rocks over and see what’s underneath. This will keep them occupied while you collect yourself and figure out how to put them on more fish.
25. Fishing Teaches Kids Cause & Effect
Sometimes when things go wrong out there on the water, it’s an opportunity to step in front of it and take the blame for your little one. If a fish snaps off the hook, you might tell them that you’re sorry but you think you tied the knot a little loose. Explain to them how forgetting to do the little things can have a big impact later, and use fishing to teach them this lesson in a safe, but memorable way.
You also might use the opportunity to explain the concept while doing a little topwater fishing near your children. If they’re patient enough, have them observe the little “bloops” of your lure and wait until a fish comes and grabs it. Explain how the little “bloops” caused the fish to think the lure was prey, and attack (effect).
26. Fishing Gives Kids Confidence
We were very fortunate in that my mother-in-law was able to watch our son for several years while he was little, but when his sister was born, it was time for him to go to daycare. Since this was a new experience for him he struggled with it a little bit at first.
Being able to take out my cellphone and let him show his friends and teachers pictures of all the fish he caught over the weekend gave him a lot of confidence and helped his transition tremendously. His teachers picked up on this quickly and started engaging him about fishing and soon he was telling them all about his adventures over the weekend.
It’s very important for kids to believe in themselves and it doesn’t hurt if they have a skill that is fairly rare. Fishing isn’t always the easiest activity, so being able to cast, hook, and reel in fish gives kids a real boost. It’s also something that helps them start conversations with their peers, which helps them make friends if they’re shy.
27. Fishing Keeps Kids Out of Trouble
I firmly believe that the more involved kids are in sports, the less likely they are to get involved in drugs and alcohol. Fishing might just be the greatest sport of all for that because they’ll spend all their spare change on lures instead of having any left over for other vices!
If your kids are at all interested in pursuing a career in fishing, it’s very important that they keep a clean rap sheet. So much of the fishing industry is really a marketing game, and sponsors don’t want to doll out money to folks with criminal records. Remind your children of this early and often.
28. They Could Get a College Scholarship
Fishing is a legitimate college sport these days, with several large tournament sponsors, including B.A.S.S. and FLW, offering college tournaments and various schools offering scholarships to anglers to compete in them.
Bassmaster published and article in October, 2018 discussing this trend as well as the rise of Bethel University as a college fishing powerhouse. It talks about how the school awarded $216,000 to 36 students in 2018 in fishing scholarships, as well as how about 10 other universities now consider fishing a major college sport.
While fishing is clearly in its infancy as a college sport, who knows just how expansive it will be by the time your kids are applying for college? You never know. The little hobby that was your way of spending some time with your little fishing buddy might one day be the ticket to his higher education.
29. Your Kids Could Make a Career Out of Fishing
In the same vein as collegiate pursuits, you never know if introducing your children to fishing will one day lead them towards a fulfilling career. This doesn’t need to mean that they’re tournament anglers, either. They could be fishing guides, tackle shop owners, boat mechanics, journalists, salesmen, skilled craftsmen or even a marine biologist.
There’s a huge range of careers that supports the recreational and commercial fishing industry and many of them are fields that are almost impossible to automate, so the jobs are likely to be around in the future.
To give you an idea of the size, the Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2016 report by NOAA found that fishing generated $212 billion in sales and supported 1.7 million jobs (source). There is certainly opportunity for aspiring young anglers.
30. Most Kids Think Fishing is Fun!
I saved one of the more obvious reasons for last: fishing is fun! Your kids what to go, and they want to go with YOU. They are sitting there at their lunch table talking with their friends about how you are going to take them out this weekend. They will wake up at the crack of dawn and run into your room asking you if it’s time to go. It’s like Christmas in July, and every other month!
It’s a great way to spend quality time with your kids and one that they’ll enjoy. You do want to do your best to make fishing fun for kids (which usually means making sure they catch something), but that really doesn’t matter to them. All that they want is to spend time with their dad or mom or grandpa or grandma or uncle or aunt or mentor or older brother or, well, you name it.
If there’s a little kid out there that looks up to you, grab a rod, dig up some worms, and take them fishing!
31. Fishing Ignites a Passion
I suppose the final reason I’d implore you to take your kids fishing is that we all need a passion. We all need something that gets us up each morning and powers us through each week. A reason to keep going on and pushing further so we can get some time to ourselves to really live. Fishing fits the bill quite nicely.
Whereas there are so many passions that can turn to vice, when done sensibly and with respect for the environment, fishing can be flawless:
They’ll scream less at the doctor’s, or whenever they get a minor cut;
Your kids will be potty trained in no time;
Fishing is a great reason for kids to spend less time on screens;
When they are on screens, they’ll at least be watching something useful;
They’ll learn to listen, to plan, and to change as they work their way through life’s many problems;
They’ll learn organizational skills, and how to provide for their families;
Taking your kids fishing gives them a reason to develop a greater appreciation for nature, and better understand life and death;
They’ll learn to rely on themselves, and grow more resilient because of it;
They’ll learn to work hard for delayed gratification;
When a fish spits the hook, it will teach your kids to lose gracefully;
They’ll go on grand adventures to places they might overlook, and walk away with amazing photos and memories;
Your children will get to play in the dirt with bugs;
They’ll learn cause and effect, which will give them the confidence they need to stay out of trouble, and in school;
Someday, their studies might lead them to a rewarding career that they find fun and are passionate about.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, there really are a boatload of reasons to take your kids fishing. In fact, I’ve barely scrapped the surface. If this sounds like a fun activity for you and your children, but you aren’t sure where to start, consider purchasing my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. In it, you’ll find many more great reasons to go fishing with your kids, but more importantly, advice on how to do it!
I also took the time to write an Illustrated Guide to Taking Kids Fishing, which is a blog post you can read for free if that is more up your speed. Check it out!
I get a lot of questions from parents trying to take their kids fishing. One of the first things they ask is, Do kids need a fishing license to fish? Some also ask if a parent needs a fishing license to help their child fish. Finally, more than a few are curious about how much does a fishing license cost. Well, there’s not much good having a website devoted to helping families take their kids fishing if I don’t have a post answering these critical questions!
Most states require that a child have a fishing license by the age of 16, but a few states require younger children to have them. Rest assured, no states require your four-year-old to have a fishing license, but I did see as young as 10. While not every state specifically addresses if a parent can help their kids fish without a license, many do have specific verbiage on this. The bottom line is that you are generally fine to bait a hook for your child and take off the fish. You might even be OK with casting. Once you start reeling, however, you are fishing and will need a license of your own. As to how much a fishing license costs? It’s all over the board ranging from $8.50 per resident in Delaware all the way up to $52.66 in California.
Because it all differs depending on where you live, I’ve gone ahead and researched the laws for all 50 states. I’ve looked at three specific things. First, I determine at what age a child needs a fishing license. Then, I discuss if a parent can help their child fish without a license of their own. Finally, I document how much a fishing license costs in each state in 2021. Make sure you keep reading after the chart as I’ll also discuss some common questions like how much is a fishing license at Wal-Mart, and if you need a fishing license for catch and release fishing.
At What Age Does a Child Need a Fishing License in All 50 States
Use the chart below to determine if children need a fishing license in your state, and how much a fishing license costs. I’m also going to list if each state allows you to buy a lifetime fishing license because that is important information you need to know NOW so you can set your kids up for a great life of fishing.
Originally I intended to talk about whether or not states have specific laws that discuss if a parent can help their child fish without a license. I found so few that had actual language for this that a boilerplate, “No – the parent needs a fishing license if they’re ‘fishing'” is the best answer.
DISCLAIMER: Be aware that I am not an attorney nor does this constitute legal advice. This is simply my interpretation of the laws in the latest state laws that I could find. When in doubt, reach out to a fish and game warden in your state.
State
Age Child Needs a Fishing License
How Much Does a Fishing License Cost? (all prices reflect yearly cost)
Children under 16 years of age don’t need a fishing license in Alabama.
No Alabama resident needs a fishing license if fishing from the bank with hook and line in the county where the live.
FRESHWATER: Residents $14.05 Non-Residents pay between $54.20 and $66.29 depending on home state. Non-Resident College Students pay $14.05 SALTWATER: Residents: $24.35 ($6.40 if only fishing from a pier) Non-Residents: From $52.20 to $91.10 depending on home state.
All anglers 16 or older are required to have a fishing license in Delaware.
Resident: $8.50 Non-Resident: $20.00 Note that there’s also a $2.50 “agent fee.” Interestingly, Delaware also offers a “boat fishing license” that covers anyone fishing from that boat. The fees are:
Resident Boat Fishing License: $40.00* Non-Resident Boat Fishing License: $40.00* *Note: it is $50.00 if the boat is over 20 feet long.
Resident children under 14 do not require a fishing license in Idaho. Non-resident children under 14 must be accompanied by someone who has a fishing license, or they can buy their own.
Children 15 or older need a fishing license in Massachusetts. Licenses are free for Massachusetts resident children aged 15-17, but still must be acquired.
All residents 15 or younger don’t need a fishing license in Minnesota. Non-residents 15 or younger don’t need a license, but must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who does.
Kids 15 or older need a fishing license in Washington. Even kids younger than that need to carry a catch record card if going after certain species (salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, or Puget Sound Dungeness crab).
Bear in mind that the prices listed above are, for the most part, the basic fee you’ll need to obtain a sportfishing license in a particular state. However, many states have “add ons” or other fees that you may need to purchase depending on what you want to fish. For example, Alaska has a king salmon stamp that costs residents $10. Other states have similar “extras” that you’ll need to be aware of, so make sure you check local regulations before heading out. For the most part, however, I can tell you that these fees don’t seem to apply if you’re largemouth bass fishing or going for panfish with your kids. They mostly revolve around trout, salmon, and certain saltwater fish.
What States Have a Lifetime Fishing License?
As of 2021, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming offer lifetime fishing licenses to their residents of all ages.
Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Vermont, and Virginia are the only states that allow non-residents to purchase lifetime fishing licenses in 2021.
Can I Take My Child Fishing Without a License?
As seen from the chart above, most states will allow a parent to take their child out fishing even if the parent doesn’t have a license. The trick is, the child must be the one doing the fishing – NOT THE PARENT. While a game warden might use their discretion to let you make a cast for a younger child, you can’t count on it. If you’re seen reeling it in or working the bait or lure in any way, or fighting the fish at all, you aren’t in compliance and could receive a ticket.
Do People 65 Years or Older Need a Fishing License?
Want to take Grandpa along for your fishing trip? He might not need a fishing license depending on where you live. Some states allow elders to fish for free, to acquire lifetime licenses, or to at least get a discount on their license.
DISCLAIMER: Again, remember that I am not an attorney nor does this constitute legal advice. This is simply my interpretation of the laws in the latest state laws that I could find. When in doubt, reach out to a fish and game warden in your state.
State
Fishing License Required For The Elderly?
Alabama
Residents aged 65 and older are exempt from needing a fishing license. The exceptions are for spearfishing or for anyone fishing gulf reef fish. Alabama does offer an “optional” fishing license for residents 65 or older. Essentially, if you want to pay for a license to support conservation efforts, they’ll take your money.
Alaska
Alaskan residents 60 years or older can apply for a senior permanent identification card in lieu of a fishing license.
Arizona
Fishing license required.
Arkansas
A lifetime fishing license can be acquired by Arkansas residents 65 or older for $10.50. Various stamps such as trout stamps are also available for an additional fee.
California
Eligible low-income seniors may qualify for a reduced fee license in California.
Colorado
Colorado offers seniors a fishing license at a slightly lower price. Eligible low-income seniors can qualify for a lifetime fishing license.
Connecticut
Seniors 65+ qualify for a free lifetime fishing license in Connecticut.
Delaware
Delaware residents 65+ do not need a fishing license.
Florida
Florida residents 65+ do not need a fishing license.
Georgia
Seniors 65+ are eligible for a free lifetime fishing license in Georgia.
Hawaii
Hawaii charges seniors $1.00 for a freshwater fishing license.
Idaho
Fishing license required.
Illinois
Seniors can purchase a discounted fishing license for $7.75.
Indiana
Seniors are eligible for a discounted fishing license ($3.00) or to pay $17.00 for a “fish for life” license (those born 1943 or earlier).
Iowa
Seniors can purchase a lifetime fishing license in Iowa for $61.50.
Kansas
Seniors qualify for a less expensive fishing license in Kansas ($15.00).
Kentucky
Kentucky seniors can purchase a “senior sportsman” license for $12.00 which is less than the regular fishing license and includes deer permits).
Louisiana
Seniors qualify for a less expensive fishing license in Louisiana ($5.00).
Maine
Seniors 70+ can buy a lifetime license in Maine for $8.00.
Maryland
Resident seniors have a reduced cost license of $5.00.
Massachusetts
Residents 70+ fish for free in Massachusetts.
Michigan
Residents 65+ pay $11.00 for a fishing license in Michigan.
Minnesota
Residents 90 or older fish for free.
Mississippi
Mississippi seniors can purchase a lifetime senior fishing license for $5.00.
Missouri
Missouri residents aged 65+fish for free.
Montana
Resident seniors can purchase discounted fishing and conservation licenses in Montana.
Nebraska
Seniors qualify for a discounted fishing license in Nebraska.
Nevada
Fishing license required.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers seniors a discounted license ($7.00)
New Jersey
Resident seniors qualify for a discounted fishing license in New Jersey ($12.50)
New Mexico
New Mexico residents aged 65-69 get a discounted fishing license. Those aged 70 or above can fish for free.
New York
New York offers resident seniors a discounted fishing license ($5.00)
North Carolina
North Carolina seniors qualify for some discounted license rates.
North Dakota
North Dakota seniors 65+ have a discounted fishing license ($5.00).
Ohio
Ohio residents born before 1937 can acquire a free fishing license. Other seniors qualify for a less expensive fishing license ($10.00).
Oklahoma
Oklahoma seniors can purchase a lifetime fishing license for $15.00 once they turn 65.
Oregon
Oregon seniors 70 years or older qualify for a reduced cost fishing license ($29.00)
Pennsylvania
Seniors 65+ in Pennsylvania qualify for a reduced license ($11.97) or can purchase a lifetime license ($51.97).
Rhode Island
Rhode Island residents over 65 can obtain a free lifetime fishing license.
South Carolina
Resident seniors may apply for a lifetime fishing license.
South Dakota
South Dakota resident seniors fish for a reduced rate ($12.00)
Tennessee
Seniors qualify for certain discounted licenses in Tennessee.
Utah residents 65+ don’t require a fishing license.
Vermont
Permanent license available for Vermont residents aged 66 or older.
Virginia
Persons 65+ don’t need a fishing license to fish in saltwater in Virginia.
Washington
Seniors qualify for discounted fishing licenses in Washington.
West Virginia
Resident seniors 65+ don’t need a fishing license in West Virginia.
Wisconsin
Resident seniors 65+ fish for free in Wisconsin.
Wyoming
Resident seniors 65+ who have lived in Wyoming for 30 years can get a free fishing license.
Who Else Doesn’t Need a Fishing License?
Generally speaking, people with significant disabilities or challenges may be exempt from fishing license laws. Some states require you to get a license (mostly so they can keep track of the number of anglers in the state), but the license will be free and occasionally is granted for the person’s entire lifetime.
In at least fifteen states, blind people are either exempt from needing a fishing license, or can acquire one for free. Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia all either allow the blind to fish without a license, or to acquire one for free.
Additionally, many states have laws that allow disabled veterans of certain classes (usually those with a 60% disability due to a service-connected disability) to acquire a free fishing license. There is a little paperwork required from the Veterans’ Administration. You can call the Veterans Benefits Section at 1-800-827-1000 for help applying for these licenses in your home state.
Do You Need a Fishing License for Catch and Release?
Yes. Regardless of if you will keep your catch, or release it, you need a fishing license. The license is not simply to keep fish, it is literally to put a hook and line in water and then retrieve it. Any type of “angling” is “fishing” regardless of if you’re successful and actually catch something. Thus, you still need a fishing license even if you intend to practice catch and release.
Can I Buy a Fishing License Online?
Most states now offer the ability to purchase fishing licenses online that you can print out at home. A few, like Connecticut, are even OK with your keeping a virtual copy in your phone (though you’re out of luck if you dunk it)! However, be aware that you MUST purchase a fishing license online from your state directly. Don’t buy it from any other place – there’s a good chance it is a scam. Your best bet is to google, “Online fishing license in [my state].” Make sure you’re on your states fish and wildlife website and you’ll be good to go (sometimes this information is found towards the bottom of the page).
How Much is a Fishing License at Wal-Mart?
One of the more convenient places to get a fishing license is Wal-Mart. Chances are, you have one (or four) near your home, and most all of them have a sporting department. The best part is that there is no surcharge for a fishing license at Wal-Mart. You will pay the same price as your state requirements.
Where Else Can I Get a Fishing License?
In addition to Wal-Mart, most tackle shops from mom and pop all the way on up to Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas will sell you a fishing license. You can also usually get one at your town hall or other places where official government business is conducted.
Why Do You Need a License to Fish?
Most states donate every cent you spend on a fishing license to conservation efforts. The money is used to stock fish in waters, to keep the lakes and streams clean, and to fund important research that can lead to better fishing for all. Purchasing a fishing license in a state very much makes you a stakeholder of the state’s local fisheries and is something you should be proud of. Wideopenspaces.com ran a piece a few years ago called, Where Does Your Hunting and Fishing License Money Go if you’d like to read more about the history of how this came to be.
Can I Buy a Short Term Fishing License for a Few Days?
All states that I checked offered the chance to purchase fishing licenses for shorter terms, typically 1 – 7 days. If you are headed to a state for vacation and want to book a fishing charter or just bring along your own rod, you should look into seeing what other options are available for fishing licenses in the state.
Can I Buy a Lifetime Fishing License?
Some states allow you to purchase a lifetime fishing license for a sizeable fee. For example, in Vermont, residents are allowed to purchase a lifetime fishing license for a set price. This is something you should consider doing as soon as your child is born! In Vermont, a lifetime fishing license purchased when a child is less than 1 years old costs $224 for residents, and $432 for non-residents up to 16 years of age. The second that child turns one years old, the price doubles! Thus, if you’re looking for a really good present for some new fishing parents, consider buying their children a lifetime fishing license.
Just to compare things further, once that same child turns 16 years old, their Vermont lifetime fishing license will cost a whopping $868 for residents, and $1674 for non-residents. It only starts to reduce (slightly) once you’re over 25 years old at which point a Vermont lifetime fishing license can be had for $728 for residents or $1404 for non-residents.
Note that these prices are of course subject to change. In Vermont, they go by a system where they multiply the current cost of a license times 8, 16, 31 or 26 to reach their price. Thus, if standard Vermont fishing licenses go up in price in the future (which, let’s face it, is likely), so will the lifetime ones. This is something you want to invest in early if your state also offers lifetime fishing licenses! I am kicking myself in the head for not having done this the second my kids were born as I routinely fish Vermont waters with my kids.
Conclusions
As you can tell, the rules are fairly standard across the board: younger children can usually fish without a fishing license, though some states require them to be accompanied by an adult who has one. Remember that these foregoing is simply my interpretation of the laws of the land, but as I am neither an attorney nor game warden, you should always double check before heading out there.
I hope this article helps you get out there and make some great memories with your kids and their grandparents. Thanks for reading.
John Paxton
Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!
Are you sick and tired of your walls being covered in crayon? Is your toddler running around the house, knocking over every vase, in need of some fun outdoor activity? Or, are you simply so fed up with “Baby Shark” that feel compelled to catch one? If so, you’ve probably wondered “can a 2-year-old go fishing?”
You are in luck! Not only is the answer, yes, you can take your 2-year-old fishing, but it’s also the best time to take them! This is the perfect age at which to take a kid fishing for several reasons. First, they’ll be super excited about every little fish caught, no matter how large. Second, this is an age where they want to copy everything you do, and they’ll grin from ear to ear if you let them practice casting. Third, this is a point in their life where they’re really into slime, water, and animals. In short, 2-year-olds love to fish. You need to take them!
Now, you may have already seen my article about what a good age is to take a child fishing, but this will expand on that, so read on. Note that this article does assume that your kid is about 2-3 years old. If they are much younger, please refer to my post about fishing with babies and infants.
Why You Should Take a Young Kid Fishing
It might surprise you, but fishing is a great sport for young kids like 2-year-olds or 3-year-olds. Like soccer, it’s one of those activities they can mostly handle. Sure, most kids won’t be able to make that great of a cast at first, but they can quickly get the hang of it. There aren’t too many ways that they can be “just like mommy or daddy,” but fishing is one of them.
That’s empowering for kids. After all, how many of your hobbies do they “really” get to play along with at this age? Much of the time, they probably feel left out on the sidelines. If you take your 2-year-old out to catch some fish, they’ll be front and center for the action.
I’ve also found that my children listen to me better while we’re out fishing. While I struggle just as much as anyone else to get them to eat their food or pick up their toys, they listen very intently to instruction with a fishing pole in their hands. This is because they’re so interested that it’s easy for them to pay attention. Little kids have ADD from the 7th ring of hell, but if they find something fascinating, they’re laser-focused. I’ve yet to find a 2-year-old who saw me catch a fish and didn’t want to catch one of their own.
Finally, you ought to take your 2-year-old fishing with you because they think it’s just the coolest thing ever, and that’ll make you the coolest parent ever. Well, at least until you get back in the car.
Pictures like this are a pretty good reason to go fishing with your kids too!
What to Expect When Fishing With a 2-Year-Old
In a word, tangles. Lots and lots of tangles. Everywhere there will be tangles, the likes of which you’ve never seen. There’ll be no reason for you to wonder if old fishing line goes bad. It’ll never get the chance.
You may think I’m joking, but I’m not. You know how it only takes your 2-year-old two seconds to get into trouble? I think it’s more like one when they’re fishing. You should absolutely expect to have significant equipment breakdowns, and you should therefore bring a couple of spares. I recommend bringing no less than three fishing rods when you take a 2-year-old along.
Alpha Rod: the fishing rod currently in your 2-year-old’s hands. It is in the process of being tangled.
Bravo Rod: the fishing rod currently in your hands. It is in the process of being detangled.
Charlie Rod: the fishing rod currently resting up against a tree. It is about to be tangled.
It might seem like overkill, but if you don’t bring along three rods you’re going to spend most of your time fixing issues with one and your kids will get bored. Fishing with 2-year-olds very much feels like reloading muskets during the American Revolution. It takes time and is a constant, all trip long.
Can a 2-Year-Old Catch Their Own Fish?
Yes, but you shouldn’t expect this. My son was casting, hooking, fighting, and landing his own fish before he was two, but I am insane. You’ll note I started an entire blog about this. I’d assume most people haven’t had their kids on this kind of track since they were little. So, it’s going to take them a few trips. Your best bet is to cast out for them, and also try to cast your own rod out. When you get a bite on your rod (which is more likely, since your kid has probably reeled theirs in immediately), hand it over to your 2-year-old and have them reel it in.
You’re going to need to coach them through the reeling and fighting of the fish. My father always used to coach, “keep the rod up high!” While this can lead to high-sticking, which you don’t want, with little kids like 2-year-olds, it really is good advice. They’re too short to keep much pressure on the fish in any other way. Also, it’s unlikely they’re catching a fish large enough to break the rod via high-sticking (if they do, it’s probably stronger than them and they aren’t lifting it that high in the first place).
Tips for Fishing With a 2-Year-Old
Here are some tips and advice to make fishing with your 2-year-old much more enjoyable. You’ll note that most of the factors discussed below are entirely in your control. Given this sport has so much that isn’t, I would advise you to consider these.
Wear the Right Clothing
Taking a 2-year-old fishing requires special clothing. You should outfit your children in some rainboots, regardless of how sunny it is. I suppose if it is really hot, crocs or other water shoes would be fine. Don’t put them in anything that you want to keep clean, as it’s not happening. You also need to get them a sunhat, even if it isn’t that sunny. Trust me, fishing is so exciting that you’ll forget to reapply sunscreen, which you don’t want. I like wide-brimmed hats that have a snap to help keep them in place.
This is a good style fishing hat for fishing with kids.
What is the Best Fishing Pole for a 2-Year-Old
Once a child reaches about 2 or 3 years old, the best fishing pole to buy them is an Ugly Stik. They’re durable, inexpensive (important since you want three of them), and last a lifetime. They are perfectly sufficient for catching any fish a 2-year-old is likely to hook into. Kids this age don’t need the sensitivity some of the higher-end brands provide, as they’re going to be fishing mostly with live bait which provides an obvious bite. If you’re interested in learning more about why Ugly Stik is my favorite fishing rod for kids, check out my review of the Ugly Stik Elite fishing rods.
What Lures Should You Use With a 2-Year-Old?
I’d strongly urge you to avoid using lures and instead use bait. Lures are artificial objects intended to trick fish into biting, thinking it’s a meal. Bait is the real deal. We’re talking worms, crickets, hot dogs and corn (where legal).
Of these, I find that worms work the best, especially when rigged with a drop shot. I favor drop shots because they’re easy to tie and cast, keep your bait up off the bottom where fish might see it, and can easily be converted to a slower-moving target by removing the sinker.
Here’s a video from Wired2Fish that will show you how to tie a drop shot rig. This is a great way to fish with 2-year-olds.
Should You Use a Bobber?
I’m really not a fan of fishing with bobbers when I take kids out. I find the technique to be boring as people tend to cast their rod out and then set it down, waiting for a fish to bite. I find that you get far more bites by working the bait back to shore or the boat in a series of short little twitches with pauses. If I was going to fish with a bobber, I’d leave that rod off to the side and have my kid working a different one.
Bobbers are fine if fishing is the ancillary activity, so if you’re “mostly” playing catch and just happen to be next to a lake, they’re useful. I just feel that they take something that should be active and exciting and make it very passive.
This Sounds Stressful…
Yes, it can be. However, you’re in luck! I wrote an entire article about making fishing with kids stress-free that I highly encourage you not only to read, but also to share with your spouse and anyone else who is coming for the trip. One thing that bears repeating from that article is simply to keep your cool. Look, you’re catching sunfish out there. If you lose one, does it really matter? Of course not. Indeed, you might think about a fishing trip as an awesome way to showcase some resilience for your children by always being on the up and up no matter what goes wrong. So look at the little adventures of taking a 2-year-old fishing as a learning opportunity and leave it at that.
How to Keep a 2-Year-Old Interested in Fishing
My best two pieces of advice for how to keep a 2-year-old (or any kid) interested in fishing are pretty simple:
Get a fish into the livewell or bucket as fast as you can.
Have plenty of other distractions besides fishing.
The first one makes enough sense. For years, I’ve stressed the need to catch a fish as quickly as you can and put it in the livewell or bucket. This gives kids something to “check in on” whenever they start getting bored. I’ve found that my son and daughter spend almost as much time staring at the livewell than they do fishing some days! From a 2-year-old’s perspective, if there’s no fish in the livewell, then you’re just standing there holding a fishing rod. They don’t do well with delayed gratification. Once the fish is in the livewell, they have a “friend” to hang out with until their next opportunity to start reeling.
As for distractions, well, as counter-intuitive as it may be, one of the best ways to keep kids interested in fishing is to have other stuff going on that can pull them away from it. It’s the same concept, really, as getting the fish in the livewell. You want your kids to have other things pulling their attention away so they don’t have time to get bored with the actual angling. I find that soccer balls and worm buckets are just about perfect for this!
Have some distractions on hand. Luckily, you don’t need to bring anything special. The box of worms will do just fine.
Conclusions: Yes, You Can Take a 2-Year-Old Fishing
You shouldn’t hesitate for a moment to take your 2-year-old fishing with you. Indeed, it’s one of the best experiences that a parent can share with their child. If you aren’t convinced, I’d suggest that you check out my article on a boatload of reasons to take your kids fishing sometime. There’s plenty of good ones!
As always, if you need more help please feel free to email me, leave a comment below, or join my Facebook group and post a message there seeking advice. You can also buy my book which was written specifically to help you with the exact kind of questions that led you to this page (click on the picture below my signature for the purchase link on Amazon). I love interacting with fans and helping people learn to fish with their kids, so please don’t feel as though it’s any trouble!
It’s rare that I visit a place I like so much that I immediately add it to my list of the best places in Connecticut to take a kid fishing, but that’s what happened after I visited The Farm at Carter Hill located at 86 East Hampton Road, Marlborough, Connecticut (860-906-7866). A Connecticut bed and breakfast that is about as kid-friendly as they come, the farm has something for literally everyone. Want to take the kids to feed some goats and sheep? They’ve got it. Want to find some sort of outdoor event where you can socially distance yet still feel alive? This is just the place. How about the perfect backdrop for that wedding you’ve been dreaming of since you were little? Yep – the Farm is the place, once again. It has everything!
Granted, my website is “FishingFather” so you can guess what I am most interested in. Yes, the Farm at Carter Hill is an outstanding place to take kids fishing in Connecticut. It checks every box:
Clear areas to cast.
Species easy to catch and find.
A place to grab a snack
PLENTY of distractions for the little ones if they get bored.
All the same, many fishing fathers have a fishing spouse in tow, so let’s do an in-depth review of why The Farm at Carter Hill should be on your short list of summer destinations in Connecticut!
How Did I Stumble on This Gem, You Ask?
For years now, I’ve heard my father rave about “Mitch’s Place” owned by two of Dad’s friends, Mitch and Hazel. For most of that time, it was a large “everything” store in New Britain, Connecticut that Dad used to love. It is no stretch to say that every sweatshirt I grew up wearing, every single piece of paper I ever scrawled on as a child, and every storage shelf in my basement came from Mitch’s place. When Dad says he likes a place, he means it.
Well, much to Dad’s considerable consternation, Mitch and Hazel closed up shop there a few years back and opened up a new bed and breakfast venture in Marlborough, Connecticut: The Farm at Carter Hill. Perhaps because of all the sweaters, paper, and storage shelving they sold Dad over the years, our family was invited out to take a look at the farm and go fishing on its private pond this weekend. We took my son in tow and hoped he’d catch his first fish of 2021. It didn’t take long!
A Relaxing Connecticut Bed & Breakfast
The Farm at Carter Hill is many things, and a top class bed and breakfast is one of them. The rooms are clean, the scenery serene, and when you wake up, there’s plenty to go out and explore. If you’re in New England and are looking for a good spot to take your kids on a “mini-cation,” this place would be hard to beat. Sure, there are a lot of so-called “kid-friendly” bed and breakfasts in Connecticut, but there are very few that boast as many cool things to do with your kids for a weekend. Pretty much everything in this article is something a child would enjoy.
It’s also a good place to bring the grandparents along. There’s plenty of fresh air and sunny places to sit and admire the countryside or watch as the grandkids catch fish and feed the goats. In a time when many are shuttered indoors, this could be exactly what your family needs to feel alive again.
A view of the bed and breakfast. Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill
Goats, Sheep, and Ducks!
This is a working farm and there are a number of animals who call it their home. They seem friendly enough and are eager for the bag of feed Mitch and Hazel will sell you for $1. Most of them are in an enclosure with a few trusted enough to walk around and say hello.
Frankly, the experience reminded me a lot of going to a fair in a year where, sadly, I couldn’t take my kids to one. These friendly animals did their part to bring a bit of normalcy back to my son’s life, which I appreciated. Further, as those of you who have read my piece on preparing for a fishing trips with kids know, having distractions is critical when fishing with young children. I’d be hard pressed to think of a better distraction than farm animals.
This goat was particularly photogenic.
Socially Distant Events
Visiting The Farm at Carter Hill yesterday was the first time I’ve felt normal for ages. For over a year now, I’ve felt like I’ve had to look over my shoulder for some foe I’ll never see. So many of the things I used to do with my kids are off the table for the foreseeable future. It was nice to FINALLY get to do something with my son that was normal.
Now, my normal was taking him to something that seemed like a fair, with animals and cool stuff to look at. Your normal may well be going to a comedy show, classic car show, concert, or cookout. As so much of this venue is outdoors, you can do all of those things even in these unusual times. If you’re interested in checking out what events there are to look forward to, check out their Facebook page for upcoming events and promotions.
Live music is just one of many things The Farm at Carter Hill typically offers. Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
A Perfect Country Wedding
Looking for a wedding destination that’s close to home, but still feels like an adventure? The Farm at Carter Hill has just what you need. They offer two buildings for your big day. As you can see from the photos they’ve graciously allowed me to reproduce, you can either rent a rustic barn with cast iron fixtures, or a more classical white pavilion. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll have the entire grounds for some memorable wedding pictures.
Not for nothing, but the pond we’ll talk about below would give you some great opportunities for fishing wedding pictures too (any woman’s dream, I know).
Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
Cool Knick Knacks and Oddities Abound
I’m convinced that Mitch and Hazel’s retirement plan is to link up with the guys from that “American Pickers” show at some point. When they aren’t running this Connecticut bed and breakfast, I’d almost think they’re on that show. The Farm at Carter Hill abounds with old advertisements, collectibles, knick knacks, and generally just “fun cool stuff.” You could spend a day just walking around and looking at all the pieces of Americana they’ve collected.
The entire compound has cool stuff to look at. In many respects, it’s like walking through a museum or time capsule. Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
Perhaps the coolest of the cool is this 1/2 scale F4U Corsair. I don’t talk much about my love of old warbirds on this site, but this right here is my absolute favorite and it was a nice touch. The story of how Mitch acquired it was even better. Apparently, he put an add in the paper that said, “Looking for an airplane to hang from a tree.” Then this showed up! Well, it might be a bit much for the tree to handle, but it’s darn cool nonetheless.
A 1/2 scale F4U Corsair: Connecticut’s State Warbird.
Finally – a Connecticut Bed and Breakfast With Great Fishing!
I’d have a hard time believing there is a Connecticut bed and breakfast out there with better fishing than The Farm at Carter Hill. Yeah, it’s not on the ocean or some giant lake. It doesn’t need to be. Mitch and Hazel have a great little fishing pond right on the property that lives up to all the lore small farm ponds typically enjoy. There’s a healthy population of largemouth bass and pumpkinseeds for your kids to catch and enjoy. Here’s how our day went.
The Fishing Report
The three of us arrived at Mitch & Hazel’s a little past noon. Our first stop was the farm pond Dad has been talking about all these years. It’s a small little thing – rather unassuming at first – but I quickly sized it up as a great place to go fishing with kids. It has several features that make it so:
You can reach every inch of it from a clear, unobstructed shore.
The water has clear, deep pockets where you can cast without getting all gunked up with weeds.
The slope is slight and safe for little kids to go near. My son managed not to fall in and he wasn’t being particularly careful!
I could see fish – and a LOT of them!
It’s such a great place for kids to fish that I think I’ll have to take my daughter along next time and put her on some fish too. Darned nap time keeps getting in the way of taking her fishing with daddy!
While not large, there’s plenty of room for kids to cast, and the pond is narrow enough you can easily reach any place you want.
The First Cast
I’d brought a few simple rigs with us. Two Ugly Sticks, my son’s favorite St. Croix panfish rod, and my St. Croix Avid and Legend Elite. Drop shots were tied on five of six rods, but I had a watermelon 5″ Senko tied onto my Avid. As I could see several bass immediately, this is the one I started with. One cast, a few twitches, and there was a fish on for my kid to reel in.
We kept fishing for the better part of ninety minutes or so, and the action was nonstop. We must have caught at least 15 largemouth and another 20 sunfish. The largest was only about 12″, but Mitch says there are some larger ones lurking in the weeds. It’s a bit early in the year yet and we couldn’t get anything to hit a fast moving bait (that we could keep up over the emerging weeds), so we “had to settle” for the multitude of fish we found in the deep pools around the pond. No one was complaining!
I was extremely excited as while my son has caught plenty of fish “all by himself” by now, they’ve usually come on a drop shot with a worm or Gulp minnow. Yesterday, I’m very proud to say that he set the hook on a fish with a plastic worm for the first time in his life! While it is a great lure for fishing with kids, it still takes some skill to hook a fish with one, and it was great to see my son have this success. Many thanks to Mitch and Hazel for giving him the opportunity!
The pond is filled with healthy bass like this.
Just a Note – Please Be Respectful
While Mitch and Hazel are gracious hosts who are very relaxed and welcoming, I’d just like to remind my readers that this is private property. This is not a public fishery and if you go down to check it out, you should be on your best behavior. It is a place that patrons of the farm are allowed to fish in a respectful manner. This means that fishing should be one of many things that you do (I’d recommend grabbing some lunch there on a day trip, or staying the night if you want to make an adventure out of it). You should also be vigilant to “carry in, carry out” and not leave a mess of trash behind you. Likewise, remember that these fish are their property. Plan on catching and releasing your quarry, and put the fish back gently.
Not for nothing, but this is the kind of fishing pond that is special for children. While it’s not my place to tell any adults not to fish it (I certainly did), I will simply say that the size of the fish is perfect for putting a giant smile on a kid’s face. I’d bring along the kids and do more helping than fishing if I were you. This is the kind of place that kids can really get the confidence they need to fall in love with this sport. Let’s all try and keep it special for them.
To sum it up, this is a true gem of a place and I hope all of my readers will do their best to keep it that way!
Conclusion: The Farm at Carter Hill is a Great Place to Take the Kids
As you can see, we had a blast in our short time at the farm, and we didn’t even get to scratch the surface of all the many events it has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a cozy Connecticut bed and breakfast, the perfect wedding venue, or just an outdoor compound to take the little ones to for some fresh air and good vibes, The Farm at Carter Hill ought to be on your short list of Connecticut destinations this summer.
If you don’t believe me, just consider my son’s critique. About an hour after we got home, he was already asking, “Hey Dad, when can we go back to Mitch’s place?”
His grandpa is so proud!
Interested in visiting the Farm at Carter Hill? Call 860-906-7866, visit their website, or stop by their Facebook page for more information.
I don’t normally like to make posts full of product after product, but I have a very good reason for doing so now: my sister just had a baby! Naturally, I needed to scour the internet for great gift ideas of what I could get her, her husband, and their little bundle of joy! Here’s the best of the best fishing baby gifts that I could find!
I’m not going to focus too much on actual fishing gear here so much as cute little presents for newborns. If you’re interested in learning more about fishing with babies and infants (including what gear to grab) check out my article on the topic here.
Fishing Onesies and Other Clothing
It goes without any doubt that you’re going to want to get the new baby some fishing onesies. Take it from me: act fast as they grow out of them soon. You can simply run a search for “Fishing Onesies” and find more than you can count. Here are a few I thought were pretty cute and clever. Click their respective photos for their purchase links.
Fishing Onesies
At some point I may be tempted to write an entire article on all the different onesies out there, but here are a few I’d consider purchasing for starters:
These are quintessential for any new parent and come in a variety of styles (such as grandpa’s new fishing buddy, etc.)
True story!
I’m not sure about the order. You can start fishing with your kids long before they can crawl!
This is not exactly PG but it made me laugh! If the parents have a saltier sense of humor, this could make a great fishing gift for their new baby (well, let’s face it, it’s mostly for the parent)!
Fishing / Sun Hats for Kids
While the onesies are cute, you also want to pick up some practical items. Small children (really, all children) ought to have a good sun hat that is UPF protective so they can actually hang out on the boat for more than 10 minutes. Stay away from baseball caps in favor of something that offers 360 degrees of protection like this:
You can also find ones that offer maximum neck protection:
Fishing Toys for Babies
While it can be tempting to find the loudest toy out there for any child that isn’t your own, here are a few that the parents will actually appreciate and the kid should love.
My First Tackle Box by Baby Gund
I think this “My First Tackle Box” set by Baby Gund is an AWESOME little fishing gift for a brand new baby. It’s certainly making the short list of what I’m considering for my sister. Indeed, I’ll bet my two-year-old would still love it. It comes with a fabric tackle box, fishing rod, oddly-happy-looking worm, and two fish. I could see this one being a real winner.
Munchkin Fishin Bath Toy
This isn’t too far off from one of the first “fishing rods” I bought my son. He enjoyed it quite a bit. We had a little stuffed largemouth bass that we fixed up with some velcro to connect to the lures, but this one comes with magnets.
Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash Water Table
Every parent will tell you: KIDS LOVE WATER. While this might be a bit much for an infant (let’s face it–darn near all toys are), you are guaranteed that this will be a huge hit the instant that kid is old enough to stand next to it. Water tables provide hours upon hours of entertainment anywhere that is warm.
Fishing Books for Kids
It’s never too early to start kids reading. I wrote an entire article with detailed reviews on fishing books I love for kids. I suggest checking it out to find the perfect fishing gift for your new baby.
And of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention that the perfect fishing gift for any new baby is my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. In it, the new parents will find everything they need to know about fishing with their newborn and engendering a lifelong passion for the sport!
I hope this gives you some ideas of what types of fishing gifts you can get for the new baby in your life! May God bless them with a long, happy life with many tight lines!
I’ve fished in Connecticut my entire life and learned a good fishing spot or two, but not all are created equal when taking your kids. In this article I’ll help parents understand where to fish with their kids in Connecticut. If you’re looking for some advice on where to find family friendly fishing in the Nutmeg State, read on!
Rather than give you an overview of every lake in Connecticut, I’ve decided to stick to places I’ve actually visited and fished. I figure that this will give you better information, and give me a reason to go check out some new spots!
I plan on making this page a work in progress as I continue to ply my way across the state with my two children and discover new fishing holes, so make sure you bookmark this and return to it often! Edit 3/28/21 – I just found one!
As this is a longer article, here’s some handy navigation to get you started.
Great Places to Take Your Kids Fishing in Connecticut
Now that we’ve talked a bit about what makes a good fishing spot for kids, I’m going to break down some ideal places to take your kids fishing in Connecticut.
When possible, I will discuss the following:
Size: How large the lake or pond is. I won’t always have this data, but will provide it when I can.
Fish Species: The different fish you can find in the lake. Bear in mind that you’re going to want to see “sunfish” and “yellow perch” if you’re going fishing with little kids.
Facilities: If I know what facilities are available, including restrooms and picnic tables, if I’ll tell you.
Parking: I’ll give some thoughts on the parking lot so you know if you need to get there early. It can be stressful trying to navigate a trailer around a crowded lot.
Boat Ramp: Can you bring a trailered boat or only one you can carry in?
Shore Access: I discuss if there are a number of good fishing spots from shore or not.
Special Restrictions: Some places don’t allow outboard motors or ice fishing. When I know this information, I’ll share it, but you should always consult the most up-to-date Connecticut Fishing Guide you can to make sure you’re compliant with the law.
Distractions: I’ll talk about what you can do with your kids if they get bored of fishing.
After laying out these basics, I’ll also make sure to give you my personal thoughts on the location, and offer any other insight that I can.
Family Friendly Fishing Spots in Hartford County
I’ve spent many years fishing in Hartford County both before and after I had children, so I’ve learned a few good spots to take kids fishing. Here are a few of my favorite places to take my family fishing in Hartford County.
Paderewski Park (Plainville, CT)
Size: Not available, but I’d estimate around 10-15 acres.
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish.
Facilities: There are restrooms with working plumbing in a building by the splash pad. There’s also shaded picnic spots.
Parking: There are two parking lots. One is right next to the pond and can accommodate 10-15 vehicles. It would be tough to fit a trailer.
Boat Ramp: No. Getting a canoe or row boat into this pond would be challenging for one person.
Shore Access: Good. There are several spots around the pond where you have plenty of room to fish.
Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
Distractions: Tons. There are multiple sports fields, a great playscape with swings, and a splash pad in the summer.
Overview
If you’re looking for a family friendly fishing spot in Connecticut, look no further than Paderewski Park in Plainville. Its combination of ample shore access, numerous fish, and tons of distractions make it THE place to go fishing with your kids.
Paderewski Park is a square fishing pond with shore access on all sides, though the north and eastern sides would have you fishing in site of people’s back yards, which is awkward. I usually take my son fishing along the southern bank as there are several wide open areas for him to cast a line.
Most of the fish in this pond are stunted as there seems to be too many sunfish for their own good. You’ll find that many fish you catch are 3″ or so in length. This won’t be too exciting for older children, but little ones love it.
As a plus, there is an awesome splash pad and very nice playground for the kids to enjoy after they tire of fishing. This area also has several shaded picnic benches so you can relax in peace while your children play.
If you live near Plainville, Connecticut, I think you’d have a hard time finding a better spot to go fishing with your kids.
Vast sections of Paderewski Park Pond have open areas where kids can cast.
Fisher Meadows Pond / Spring Pond (Avon, CT)
Size: 41 acres
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Common Carp, American Eel, Chain Pickerel (rare).
Facilities: A few porta-potties and some picnic tables.
Parking: Very large lot; unlikely to be filled unless there is a soccer game going on.
Boat Ramp: There is no boat ramp available, but there are several places where you can carry in a canoe or row boat.
Shore Access: Plentiful. There are many spots along the walking trail where you can easily fish with kids.
Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.. Ice fishing is prohibited by town ordinance.
Distractions: There is a well-kept hiking trail around the pond and several soccer fields to kick around a ball if your kids get bored.
Overview
Spring Pond was my absolute favorite place to fish in in Connecticut before I had my kids and still produces some of my earliest fishing reports of the year. I knew all the best fishing spots and would go there at least three times a week. Now that i have kids, I still go to Spring Pond, but I have to scale back where I wet my line.
While Spring Pond has plentiful shore access, many of its best fishing spots require you to go into the woods. For example, the southeast shoreline holds many fish, but you have to walk through the woods to access it. This makes it a poor choice to take your kids fishing.
You’ll still want to invest time in this pond because it has some of the largest bass in Connecticut. When I was younger and could go often, I would routinely catch my biggest bass of the year from this pond. I’m still hoping to help my kids tie into one of them, but it might be a few years at the rate we’re going.
One disadvantage about Spring Pond is that it is difficult to launch a boat. There is no ramp to speak of, and only a few clearings in the woods near the parking lot. None of these are capable of acting as a ramp, though you can get pretty close to the water on a few. You’ll need to drag your boat the last bit of the way. Since my Gheenoe LT10 weighs 150lb, this is no small task. Getting it in is fairly easy. Getting it out is another story!
The Farm at Carter Hill (Marlborough, CT)
Size: I’d guess about .25 acres
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish.
Facilities: There is an expansive compound with multiple buildings, bathrooms, dining, dancing, etc.
Parking: Very large lot but pick your spots as they have large events at times
Boat Ramp: No. This is a private pond.
Shore Access: Plentiful. The entire pond is accessible/fishable with kids.
Special Restrictions: This is private property – you need to be a guest/patron of the establishment, but there’s so much to do, that’s not an issue.
Distractions: There are goats and ducks to feed, a 1/2 scale F-4U Corsair to marvel at, gift shop, ice cream, food, the list goes on.
Overview
While this isn’t a public place and you need to be a patron to fish there, The Farm at Carter Hill offers so much to do with your family that this isn’t an issue. It’s a wide open compound with outdoor everything. There’s a large number of goats, sheep, and ducks waddling around the place with food available to feed them. There are events like classic car shows, dances, or outdoor movie nights from time to time. Finally, there’s a gorgeous bed and breakfast that makes for a wonderful retreat, especially if you’re wary of going too far in the time of COVID-19.
The Farm at Carter Hill has a small but stocked fishing pond with bass in the 8 – 12″ range. Nothing huge but absolutely perfect for the little ones. We did catch some pretty good-sized bluegill when we went. The important thing was how accessible they were. Now, let me preface this by saying one thing: we went in late March – I don’t know what the weed cover is going to look like in a few more weeks. All I can tell you is the fish are there!
If you do check this place out, remember that it is private property. Come mingle first, buy some food, pet the goats, and meet the owners before politely asking if you can fish. When you do, make sure you carry out everything you brought in. In other words, be on your best behavior so you don’t ruin things for anyone!
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Crappie, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Walleye (which are stocked each year by the state).
Facilities: None in the public sections.
Parking: There is a decently large lot. The back row works for backing trailers. You don’t want to go during busy times as many people fish from shore and the spots can get filled.
Boat Ramp: There is a ramp that works for fishing boats but there is no dock, so you need to drag your boat onto shore while you park your car. There is a submerged line of large rocks on both sides of the ramp.
Shore Access: Moderate. Much of this lake requires a boat to access. The shore access is larger on the Farmington side, but it is rarely mowed.
Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
Distractions: Not really. Swans and ducks frequent the place but aside from looking at them, there isn’t much to do when you’re not fishing.
Overview
I have very mixed thoughts about Batterson Park Pond. On the one hand, its one of the few spots that Connecticut DEEP stocks with walleye, so any given fishing trip might let your kids catch a pretty unique (and tasty) fish. There are also some pretty big bass in the lake, and a healthy population of sunfish.
Having said that, the fishing at Batterson Park can be really tough. I’ve had plenty of days before I had kids where I would get completely skunked, even if on a boat, and if you read the reports at some local forums, this seems fairly common. Much of the surroundings are also in complete disrepair, though there’s recent political support for Batterson Park to be Maintained, finally.
Batterson also gets extremely windy at times with very few places to tuck in. Since it is an electric-only lake, it can be challenging to get back to the boat launch if the conditions go sour.
Where to Fish at Batterson Park Pond
If fishing from shore, you have two options. The New Britain side can be reached from the boat launch and parking lot while the Farmington side has a few parking spots along Batterson Park Road. Unfortunately, the Farmington side is rarely mowed so it can be challenging to walk across.
The New Britain side is deeper and has less weeds, but you’re limited in how far you can walk as much of it is private property. The Farmington side has many fishing spots, but they aren’t the best ones in Connecticut to take kids to because they tend to be enclosed by trees. The one exception is the northeast shore which is lined with rip rap.
If you’re fishing from a boat with an electric trolling motor, you might as well make a day of it and just power fish the entire perimeter of the pond. At 140 acres, it is small enough to do this in a couple of hours. Don’t forget to check out the sunken island near the middle as it holds fish, but be careful around it as it’s not always marked and is jagged enough to snag you.
The Farmington River at Tunxis Mead (Farmington, CT)
Size: N/A
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Trout.
Facilities: There are bathrooms, but they are far away from the fishing spots. There are some shaded picnic tables along a trail that follows the river.
Parking: Tunxis Meade has a ton of parking, and the spots nearest the river aren’t usually taken.
Boat Ramp: There is not public boat ramp or docks.
Shore Access: Limited. There are some good openings where you can fish but much of the banks are wooded and difficult places to fish with children.
Special Restrictions: As this is a river, different fishing regulations will apply than in lakes and ponds. Make sure you check out your fishing guide to understand them.
Distractions: Yes. Tunxis Meade has a playground, several fields for numerous sports, a skate park, and great trails for hiking or biking. There is plenty to do when the little ones need a distraction.
Overview
There are several places that you can fish along this river, and one of the better spots to take your kids to is Tunxis Mead in Farmington, Connecticut. I like taking my kids here because there are some spots that hold a lot of fish, and if they get bored there’s plenty of other activities nearby. It’s also just beautiful.
When you drive in you’re going to wonder what I’m talking about as there isn’t any water in sight. Tunxis Mead is one of the main sports fields for the town of Farmington and this is all you’re going to see at first. However, if you walk past the fields there are several trails leading into the woods that take you to the river. Follow these until you come across a good spot that has room for your kids to cast. If it doesn’t work out, carry on and find another.
Tunxis Mead is a very family friendly spot to go fishing in Connecticut. It’s in a safe town, has plenty of shade, has good facilities, and plenty of other things to do. If one of your kids doesn’t like fishing, there are great bike trails for him or her to go on with your spouse while you take the little angler out. When everyone is done, there is often a shop filled with treats for whatever sporting events are going on at the time. You can’t beat it.
There are several good fishing spots along the Farmington River to bring your kids. Look for spots that are wide open so they can easily cast.
The Farmington Reservoir (Farmington, CT)
Size: Not available, but I’d estimate around 20 acres.
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Bullhead.
Facilities: There are no restrooms or outhouses. There are a few park benches to sit, but that is it.
Parking: There is only space for a handful of vehicles and no room for a trailer.
Boat Ramp: No, and there isn’t a very handy way to carry one in, though it is possible with two people.
Shore Access: Moderate. While you could walk around most of the perimeter, there’s only a small section fit for children.
Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
Distractions: Aside from an open field, no. There are limited things to do here besides fishing.
Overview
I’d argue that the Farmington Reservoir is one of the better places ot take your kids fishing in Connecticut. You just need to make sure you get there before it gets completely choked out with weeds.
You access this reservoir by taking Route 6 towards Bristol and turning right on Reservoir Road (directly across from Pinnacle Mountain and a bit past Will Warren’s Den).
While I haven’t caught many giants here, I have found the fishing to be excellent and it’s a place I can trust to catch a couple fish with my children during a lunch break. It’s very open to the water and makes for a great place to teach kids how to cast.
If you go often enough in the spring, eventually you’ll stumble across the crappie spawn. This brings in hundreds of crappie close to the rip rap and within casting distance. You can catch your fill.
My friend takes his children ice fishing here routinely and swears by it. He catches many bass near the western cove.
The only isssue with this place is that there is no access for boats. If you want to take a canoe in, you can, but you’ll need to carry it a long way.
Lower Pond at A.W. Stanley Park (New Britain, CT)
Size: Not available, but I’d estimate around 5-6 acres.
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, American Eel.
Facilities: There are restrooms, but not near the fishing spot.
Parking: There is only space for a handful of vehicles and no room for a trailer.
Boat Ramp: No.
Shore Access: Very limited. There are only a few spots where you can easily fish.
Special Restrictions: All boats are prohibited.
Distractions: Several sports fields, a basketball court, a picnic area with grill, and a swimming pool. Note, I’m unsure if the pool is just for New Britain residents or not. Get in touch with their Parks and Rec department for more information.
Overview
My sister-in-law taught me about this Connecticut fishing spot, as she takes my kid there from time to time. You’d never know about it unless you grew up in the area, as she did. To reach it, you need to go into A.W. Stanley Park and and follow the loop road back towards the baseball field.
While there is very limited shoreline access, the fishing spots you can reach with your kids are stacked with hundreds of fish during late spring and early summer. There’s a little spillway that seems to attract many of them and you can literally see schools of fifty yellow perch or more. The pond also has a good population of largemouth bass and some monster common carp swimming around.
There are a couple of downsides. As mentioned above, there aren’t many places along the shoreline that you can fish. Unfortunately, as the year progresses, more and more of the lake gets clogged with weeds, which makes it challenging to fish even the few spots available. Thus, I wouldn’t risk a long journey here with your kids unless you scout it out first.
Silver Lake (Berlin, CT)
Size: 146 acres.
Fish Species: Chain Pickerel, Largemouth bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish.
Facilities: I’ve seen porta potties there some years, but not every year.
Parking: There are two parking lots. One is right next to the pond and can accommodate 10-15 vehicles. It would be tough to fit a trailer.
Boat Ramp: No. Getting a canoe or row boat into this pond would be challenging for one person.
Shore Access: Small. There are very few spots were you can fish from shore and even less where you’d want to bring your kids.
Special Restrictions: 8 mph except between June 15 and the first Sunday after Labor Day. During that time, speeds in excess of 8 mph and water-skiing are allowed. I wouldn’t recommend it though as the lake is shallow and weedy!
Distractions: Very few. There is a trail you can walk a bit but that is about it.
Overview
Silver Lake is one of the few fishing spots in central Connecticut where you can fish with your kids for part of the day, and pull them on tubes for the rest. There just aren’t that many places nearby that allow outboards.
Silver Lake is stocked with channel catfish and they are numerous enough at this point that you have a good chance of catching one on any given trip. While we have yet to tie into a giant, my son hasd caught a few pushing 3-4lbs which put up a good fight on his light youth tackle.
There is a decent boat ramp with a good amount of parking, though it isn’t going to hold more than a dozen or so boats (if that) so make sure you get there early.
We’ve had our best luck in the southern end of the lake. There are several spawning flats and also some marshes that hold a number of catfish. Another good option is the extreme northern end which is sheltered somewhat from the wind. Drop shots work well.
Good Fishing Spots for Kids in Litchfield County
Bantam Lake
Size: 947 acres.
Fish Species: Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Crappie, Brown Bullhead.
Facilities: There are a few porta potties at the boat launch.
Parking: There is parking for 20 vehicles with trailers, but this fills up very quickly on weekends.
Boat Ramp: Yes. There is a 2.5 lane boat ramp with the half-ramp reserved for carry-in boats such as canoes and kayaks. There is a floating dock with room for one vessel.
Shore Access: Limited. Very little of this lake is accessible from shore as most of the land is private property. With that said, there is a good stretch along Route 209 that people fish and it is in range of large bass and pike. You just need to walk a ways to get to it.
Special Restrictions: Motorboats restricted 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. This is a Trophy Northern Pike lake, so special restrictions will apply.
Distractions: None on land. While there are some private campgrounds nearby, there is nothing for a kid to do at the boat launch. However, this is one of the few lakes in Connecticut where it is practical to water ski or pull a tube.
Overview
Bantam Lake is one of the few places in Connecticut where you can easily and safely go water-skiing or pull a float tube. Many other locations (like Silver Lake in Berlin) are just too small to do this safely, even if they allow it. This alone makes it one of the more family friendly fishing spots in Connecticut, as water sports are available for everyone.
Bantam also has a good population of chain pickerel and northern pike, especially in North Bay. Chain pickerel make good targets for children, as they are an upgrade in size from sunfish and are fairly easy to catch. While pike are more challenging to hook, when they do, they make long runs to your children’s delight.
There are numerous docks on Bantam’s eastern shoreline that hold a number of panfish which makes it pretty easy to get a fish in the live well early to keep your little ones entertained. These docks service lake homes that are often for rent, though you need to book them very early in the year as they fill up quick.
There is some limited shore access in the southwest corner that you can reach by walking along Route 209. This is near good habitat for largemouth bass and northern pike so you have a decent chance of catching a good-sized fish with your kids even if you don’t have a boat. Just keep working your way up the shoreline until you find a spot that works well.
Make Sure You Get There Early!
The one downside of Bantam is that it has limited parking spots available to the public and fills up exceptionally quick on weekends. Many weekends feature fishing tournaments which don’t help. I wouldn’t even consider going to Bantam on a weekend, and only go there when I have a day off from work. If you are going on a weekend, make sure you check the Connecticut DEEP website for a list of approve fishing tournaments so you can avoid going when it is likely packed. You’ll also want to pick an overcast day where not as many people are likely boating.
Kid Friendly Fishing in New Haven County
So far, my fishing adventures in New Haven County have been limited to Meriden. Be sure to drop me a line if you have other locations you’d recommend, or like me to explore!
Hanover Pond (Meriden, CT)
Size: 70 acres.
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Common Carp.
Facilities: I haven’t noticed any. It is next to a park with baseball fields, so I imagine there must be at least porta potties.
Parking: limited – I’d estimate 15-20 spaces.
Boat Ramp: Yes. There is a one lane boat ramp near the baseball fields.
Shore Access: Good. There numerous areas you can fish from shore all along this area.
Special Restrictions: Steerage speed only.
Distractions: There are several sport fields that you’re kids can play on if they get bored. Hubbard Park and Castle Craig are a short drive away as well.
Overview
Hanover Park Pond is a fairly good place to fish with kids in Connecticut. It has good shore access and is an easy place to launch a canoe or rowboat. If your kids get bored, there are plenty of fields to play sports on, and there’s a good walking trail around much of the park as well. These traits make it a family friendly fishing spot in my mind.
With that said, the fishing isn’t fantastic. I’m calling it “family friendly” because it’s easy to fish – not because your kid is likely to catch a trophy. While I’ve caught some big bass there, I’ve caught them with techniques that aren’t great for using around children. When I take my son, I’m usually going for panfish instead, and I haven’t found this lake to be overrun with them.
I’ve had the best luck fishing on the opposite side of the lake, away from the boat ramp. There is a little parking lot here off of Oregon Road, and you can follow the Quinnipiac Trail to some good fishing spots. Many of these are accessible with children, but they aren’t as wide open as they are on the other side by Habershon Field. The problem near the ball fields is that the water is extremely shallow and clogs with weeds easily.
One thing you may notice while fishing Hanover Park Pond are the monster carp that live there. Hooking one would give your kids their first fish story, as it’s unlikely you’re bringing one in on a child’s fishing rod! If you do, send me a picture! I’d love to see it!
Black Pond (Meriden, CT)
Size: 76 acres.
Fish Species: Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Crappie, Sunfish, Channel Catfish.
Facilities: None.
Parking: limited – I’d estimate 10-15 spaces. It would be very challenging to park a trailer here given the layout. I doubt more than 1-2 could fit.
Boat Ramp: Yes.
Shore Access: Poor. There are few places that can be reached on foot with kids.
Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
Distractions: None. There is very little to do here except fish.
Overview
If you read the Connecticut Fishing Guide and see Black Pond you’ll note that it is both a Bass Management Lake and Catfish Lake which would make you think it would be a great spot to take your kids fishing. I disagree. While my son and I did manage to catch many fish when we went there, we were limited to fishing right around the boat launch as there weren’t very many places he could access.
If I was fishing by myself, I could have probably reached more areas, but that just wasn’t practical with a four-year-old in tow. The terrain is rough, steep, and wooded. This is a poor combination with little ones.
Another concern is the boat launch. While there is one, the parking lot next to it is small and has very limited room for trailers. I doubt more than two could fit, and it would be very tough to bring my 19′ boat here. Again, if I was fishing by myself, this might be a different story as I could get there early enough to ensure I’d have a spot. That rarely happens with kids, so the more likely scenario would be we’d get all the way there and find we had nowhere to park.
For these reasons, Black Pond isn’t the most family friendly fishing spot in Connecticut if you have small children. It would, however, be a good place to take more adventurous middle schoolers.
Family Friendly Fishing Spots In Tolland County
I’m just starting to explore Tolland County. It is a bit of a hike for me but is a pretty part of Connecticut and easy enough to access from the highway. I have a cousin who lives in Coventry and I’ve noticed several good fishing spots on the way to his house, but have yet to fish them. The main reason I haven’t fished many places in Tolland County is because Mansfield Hollow Reservoir is just so good. Let me explain why it’s a great family friendly fishing spot in Connecticut.
Boat Ramp: Yes. There is a 2 lane boat ramp in very good condition. There is no dock, but there is a sandy bottom next to the boat ramp on both sides to pull your boat up to.
Shore Access: Good. There are walking trails along the perimeter and good places to fish with kids from shore.
Special Restrictions: 8 mph speed limit. No swimming is allowed.
Distractions: None on land. While there are some private campgrounds nearby, there is nothing for a kid to do at the boat launch. However, this is one of the few lakes in Connecticut where it is practical to water ski or pull a tube.
My Experience Fishing Mansfield Hollow With My Kids
If I was contemplating where to take a kid fishing in Connecticut for the first time, I’d seriously consider going to Mansfield Hollow. It can be a little bit slow early in the year, but once you get to about June, the fishing can be fantastic.
What I like best about this place is how close the shore access is to good fishing. This makes it a very kid-friendly place for a Connecticut family that wanted to go fishing. Just north of the boat launch you’ll find a bridge that has two culverts underneath of it. These are big enough for boats to pass through and create current. This activates fish and draws them in. On the right days, you can catch a ton of sunfish.
There are trails around the lake that you can walk and many places open up enough to get kids some room to cast. Most of these shorelines are reasonably good fishing for panfish.
If you have a boat with a trolling motor, the northern portion of the lake (meaning, the side you launched your boat on) has large grass flats that are great for trolling for pickerel and northern pike. This is a good technique to do on a lunch break so you can focus on getting some nutrients into your kids while the boat does all the work with fishing. If you’re interested more in this technique, I’ve written an article about it that you can read here.
These culverts hold many fish due to the current flowing between them, and they can easily be fished from shore.
Other Counties
Connecticut has eight counties and I’ve only written about fishing in four. That’s not to say the others are bad, I just haven’t had much experience there yet. A primary goal I had when starting FishingFather.com was to ensure that the information here would be trustworthy and authentic. That means I need to either spend some time at these waterways, or at least research them well enough that I’m comfortable giving you my word.
Again, I’d encourage you to bookmark this page and come back to it often as I intend to update it over time. If there is a particular body of water you’d like me to visit or even help you research, please email me and let me know. I’ll do the best I can to help you!
Want to Head Out of State?
If you’re interested in fishing adventures that aren’t too far from Connecticut, I’d highly recommend booking a fishing charter with Captain Mick Maynard and taking a trip north to Lake Champlain. It’s about 4-5 hours away, depending where you live in Connecticut, but is well worth it. Here’s a Lake Champlain fishing report to show you what you’re missing!
If you’ve gotten this far, you obviously agree that it’s a good idea to go fishing with your kids, but that doesn’t mean you know how! While Connecticut boasts many great places to go fishing with kids, it’s all for naught if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, this website has a number of articles that are designed to help parents learn the basics of fishing, so they can take their families out and have a great time.
Some articles I would suggest starting with include:
First and foremost, read preparing for a fishing trip with kids. Learn what type of rod to buy, what tackle to bring along, and how to scout for a good location.
In addition to these articles, I also wrote an entire book the subject of fishing with kids. It’s filled with tons of information that will help you get started. Consider giving it a read – I think you’ll like it!
Finally, you can contact me directly at johnpaxton@fishingfather.com as I’d be more than happy to give you personalized advice about taking your kids fishing in Connecticut. It’s important to me that your children have a good time, so please feel free to reach out.
. In it, you’ll find many more great reasons to go fishing with your kids, but more importantly, advice on how to do it! 
Every parent will tell you: KIDS LOVE WATER. While this might be a bit much for an infant (let’s face it–darn near all toys are), you are guaranteed that this will be a huge hit the instant that kid is old enough to stand next to it. Water tables provide hours upon hours of entertainment anywhere that is warm.
