Take a Kid Fishing!

Make it a really big deal and create future anglers who enjoy the sport as much as you do.

Start off by making your trip a really big deal. If you are going on a weekend start talking about it on Wednesday or Thursday to get them pumped up! Here are some more great tips for making this a trip to remember. 

1. CHECK THE WEATHER

The last thing you want is to take your kids out in hurricane winds and heavy rain, so make sure you have good weather so your kids will enjoy their time outdoors.

2. TAKE IT SLOW

You don't want to travel five or six hours away from home. Find a close location so they are not sitting in the car for too long. When you arrive, have a look around at Mother Nature - birds, snakes, grasshoppers anything that piques their interest before getting out the rods and sitting on the bank or in a boat.

3. ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS

When your kids are fishing, cheer them on and let them know what a great cast they are making! Take your time to teach them how to handle a fishing rod, worms and lures etc. It is very important that kids are taught in a simple, fun manner.

4. WHEN LANDING A FISH

Show your kids how to properly handle a fish that you are going to release and I would encourage you to teach them to catch and release for their future. There is nothing wrong with keeping a few for lunch but keep the smaller ones.

5. SHORE LUNCH

Kids love to see things in nature and having a good old fashion shore lunch is very bonding with your kids. Teach them survival skills at an early age is an asset. And a great way to just get away from the rods and reels for a while to keep them wanting to get back to it.

6. PANFISH

Start out with panfish like bluegill, perch, and crappie where there are plenty and lots of action so you can keep the kids busy catching fish, this will keep them interested and not lose focus or get bored.

7. MAKE IT NOT JUST ABOUT FISHING!

Lastly, make the trip fun and not just all about fishing. You have to make it an outdoor experience that the kids will love and will want more in the future. After all, the time you spend with your kids is time you will never get back and that is the most important thing in the world.

About Ron James

Ron has been fishing for over 35 years. He started fishing when he was just a youngster with his father Bill James (God rest his soul). He moved onto tournament fishing as his passion grew. With numerous wins and top finishes, the next step had to be taken. He met Leo, and the unstoppable force of Fish TV "is the best thing that has happened.

Recommended Articles

The Lake of Many Bays

Fly-in Fishing at Pine Portage Lodge

Dive and Rise Muskies

Ontario offers the best muskie fishing anywhere—and fall is the prime time to catch your fish of a lifetime.

5 Lakes, 4 Seasons, and Plenty of Fish

Fish TV selects their favourite lakes in Ontario.

Shield Lakes & Rivers

A Million Acres of Water. Where do You Start?

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Don't Let the Name Perch Lake Fool You

These Northern Ontario waters are packed with northern pike like you'll never believe, abundant gourmet walleye, and yellow perch await.

Nipigon River Salmon

Catching chinook salmon in Northwestern Ontario with Nipigon River Adventures

Planning for Pike

Start Planning for Trophy Fishing

Choose your Fishing Adventure: 39 Lodges Accessible by Train, Plane, Boat, and Automobile in Ontario

How will you explore the province's waterways this upcoming season?

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Top 5 Flies for Brook Trout

Favourite fly patterns from The New Fly Fisher

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Ice, Grit, And the Glory of the Kaby Lake Pike

The weather is a relentless challenge and the fish are the ultimate reward.

Top Ranked Flies For Catching Brown Trout

How to set up a fly rod, pick streamers, and catch some trout.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Top 5 Wet flies for Brook Trout

Fly Fishers describe their favourite brookie flies.

Ontario Brown Trout Fishing

It may be the best fishing on earth.

Snap Jig Weed Walleye

In pursuit of big walleye and smallmouth bass at Opeongo Mountain Resort.

Accessible Paradise

Fish Noganosh Park for Monster Pike & Feisty Bass