5 Reasons Why Fishing is a Great Activity for Children

1. Canada has one of the most diverse natural environments on the planet, including over 1 million bodies of water. With such an abundance of opportunity, it only makes sense to introduce children to a watersport like fishing.

2. The natural resources we have access to in Canada are threatened by pollution, un-checked development, neglect and climate change. Research has shown that anglers often become ardent conservationists. In fact, a recent paper co-authored by the Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science at Carleton University, states that “outdoor recreation inspires strong emotional responses in people, leading to advocacy for ecosystem-scale conservation.” The simple act of fishing leads to an increased commitment to the environment.

3. Fishing has proven mental health benefits. It has been used to reduce the symptoms of PTSD, and a recent study out of the UK showed that individuals who regularly went fishing were almost 17% less likely to report being diagnosed with mental health conditions. Fishing is a great way to practice mindfulness and create a sense of belonging and accomplishment for youth who might be struggling.

4. When you’re casting a line, you can’t be looking at your phone. We all know that social media plays a big role in the lives of children. And while there can be some perks, it’s always a good idea to offer opportunities to disconnect. Being out in nature, with friends or family, is a great opportunity to do just that.

5. There are many affordable fishing programs and events to help kids get started. In addition to free and almost-free fishing derbies throughout the region all season long, there are also great programs like the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Tackle Share initiative. Anglers simply sign out a rod and reel, as well as an assortment of tackle, in the same way that they would borrow library book. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also offers Learn to Fish, a free program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario. This 2–hour program combines a practical teaching session with supervised hands-on fishing. They also have an online version! And if you want to get started immediately, order a free ‘how-to’ booklet called Catch Fishing from the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation by emailing info@catchfishing.com.

For recreational fishing news and industry information,

visit www.keepcanadafishing.com. To learn more about Tackle Share, visit www.tackleshare.com. To Learn more about Learn to Fish visit www.ontario.ca/page/learn-fish.