Plastics never go away. Think about that. Every water bottle, every plastic bag, every clamshell container you use, in one way or another, is here forever. Sure, they may not always look the way they do now, but the reality is that they break down into smaller and smaller pieces and in many cases, end up in the ocean. How does that happen? All marine debris comes from people, it can enter the ocean and waterways from land through littering, poor waste management practices, storm water discharge, and extreme natural events such as tsunamis and hurricanes. Debris can also come from ocean-based sources, such as fishing vessels, stationary platforms used for offshore oil and gas, cargo ships, and other large vessels.
Plastics in our oceans and water ways play a huge role in disrupting our fragile marine ecosystems, and it's not just fish that are affected. It's estimated that plastic waste kills up to 100,000 sea mammals and over one million seabirds each year. In fact, for a baby sea turtle, ingesting just half of a gram of plastic can prove deadly.
Fortunately, there are many organizations that focus directly on reducing and reusing ocean plastics in innovative and imaginative ways. In the video on this page, you'll be introduced to one of those groups, The Million Waves Project, which was founded based on a simple question: "What if doing something was better than doing nothing?" It's ideas like that, and motivated eco-minded individuals that have the potential to change the world for the better. So watch the video, hopefully it inspires you to think outside of the box, and possibly spark the idea in you that changes the world in ways not yet imagined.
For more information and resources related to the harm that plastic plays on our marine ecosystems and information about our National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments, head to Sanctuaries.NOAA.gov and marinesanctuary.org!
Whether you’re boating or fishing from a boat, canoe, or kayak, being safe on the water comes down to a few basic facts. The first fact facing us humans is that we can’t breathe if we’re underwater. Even teens... Duaah, no kidding! But even floundering in rough water on the surface can cause someone to choke on so much water that they could pass out and drown.
That concept is supported by the second fact: 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
And although we can’t survey people who drowned, (because they’re dead or fish-bait) most who were not wearing a PFD (personal flotation device) would probably have boasted beforehand that they didn’t need to wear one because… “What? Me worry? Heck, I’m a decent swimmer!” Kinda makes you wonder if they thought about that as they took their last lung-full of water before they passed out and drowned?
All of that makes the third fact pretty simple logic; It’s pretty darn hard to drown if you’re wearing your life jacket. So why were those hundreds of fatal drowning victims each year not wearing a PFD? That’s what we’ll decode here both in the content of this webpage, in the video here, and for students and teachers to learn from each other in the fun, interactive lesson activity at the bottom of this page.
So let’s begin by decoding the two reasons people make fatal mistakes. People contribute to fatal accidents, on the water or on land, because they either don't recognize the potential dangers beforehand, or they think it's not that dangerous for them, so they try doing it anyway. Although we can’t prevent someone from risking their life or the lives of loved ones, we can solve "not knowing" with an education that empowers people to make safe-n-smart choices on the water. We already covered the first biggie; wearing your life jacket from the moment you get near the water to the moment you’re on dry land again. And if you hear someone whining about the excuses for not wearing one; “It makes me look fat”, “It’s too bulky and hot”, or “It makes me look uncool to my friends”. Push the pause button and ask them if they want to look dead or alive. Then explain Fact #2 to them.
Of course, there are other reasons that people get into trouble on the water. In fact, there are so many reasons and circumstances that it’s too much to try and cover here. If you’d like to research those details, explore the boating safety website of our educational partner here, The U.S. Coast Guard. And before you ever try operating a boat, you really should:
The information in our video and on this page was made possible by our educational partners. To learn more about Getting Families Fishing and boating safely, click on their logos below to explore their websites.
Imagine this. You and your family are getting ready for a perfect day of fishing, you've looked forward to it all week, only to sit out on the boat watching the day go by without a single bite. “Where did we go wrong?” you ask yourself. You're not alone, this happens to countless anglers every year. But fear not, the answer, more often than not, lies in how the weather affects fishing. And today, you’re going to learn some basics every angler should know about how fish react in all kinds of weather.
Fish are just like people in that they prefer certain kinds of weather over others. Some fish don't like the rain and will go deeper underwater. Other fish love a good downpour. When it rains, insects get knocked into the water, so these fish will stay close to the surface looking for a meal.
Fish like largemouth bass will come closer to shore on windy days. This is because small panfish like bluegill and sunfish will be pushed toward the bank with the wind, or will follow insects that are blown to the bank. The bass eats those small fish so naturally follow along.
Contrary to popular belief, a nice sunny day is not always the best day for fishing. When it's too hot, fish can become lethargic. To beat the heat, fish usually go deeper into cooler waters. This is one of the reasons why people tend to fish early in the morning or early in the evening during the summer when the temperatures are a little cooler. Fish will bite more during a cold front, as that front displaces the heat they were attempting to avoid.
There are many weather factors that play into a successful day of fishing. In this video, our expert angler goes through some of those factors as our Into The Outdoors crew attempts to catch the big one.
As you’ll discover in our video library of Getting Families Fishing episodes and the related educational topic videos, fishing, and boating are fantastic ways to spend time with family, learn about conservation, enjoy the outdoors, AND learn about aquatic science and yourself.
So take a moment and explore the dozens of videos on fishing and aquatic science here. The custom learning videos you'll find there are designed to share with your entire classroom. You’ll also find other educational content, including custom lesson activities that blend peer-driven learning and hands-on activities. Now go learn to catch fish!
And for even more information and resources related to fishing and boating, head to TakeMeFishing.org and DiscoverBoating.com. To learn more about America's Getting Families Fishing Initiative, head to the Future Angler Foundation.
Ethical angling doesn't just mean buying a license and following the rules and regulations, there's so much more to it. From respecting our natural environment, fellow anglers, and other members of the lake community, ethical angling looks to ensure quality fishing for generations to come. The ultimate angling experience goes beyond just the joy and excitement of trying to catch a fish, the beauty of the waters we visit and what we do to maintain that beauty plays a large part in the entire adventure. Not to mention, it is an extremely important responsibility! Ethical anglers use their knowledge and awareness of the environment and the ecosystems they visit to become active in supporting the preservation of our natural resources.
Whether they're regulars on the water, or just visiting for the day, ethical anglers respect the rights of others by taking responsibility for themselves. Ethical behavior includes picking up trash, and never dumping any pollutants, such as gasoline or oil, into the water. The ethical angler values and respects the aquatic environment and all living things in it. Carefully handling and releasing alive all fish they catch but do not intend to keep.
And for even more information and resources related to fishing and boating, head to TakeMeFishing.org and DiscoverBoating.com. To learn more about America's Getting Families Fishing Initiative, head to the Future Angler Foundation.
To get serious about being a safe-n-smart angling boater, take the complete online boating safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency, and approved by Transport Canada
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/467139389Campgrounds across the country are hitting new attendance records as families are rediscover the fun and family connections made while camping. In addition to sharing stories round the campfire and roasting S’mores (here’s our favorite recipe ), one of the most exciting ways to have fun while camping is to go fishing. And since many campgrounds also offer fishing opportunities, it can be both fun and have an added bonus of feeding the family with a fresh fish dinner… that is IF you know how to catch a fish.
For those campers new to fishing, that big IF can be what stands between you and reeling in your catch. That’s why we’ve included educational videos on this page that offer sensible and simple methods for catching fish. Combining docks with worms, bobbers and bluegills is a simple introduction to freshwater fishing.
Common fish species that can be caught from a dock include, bluegill, sunfish, perch, crappie, catfish, bass (both largemouth and smallmouth). If you’re lucky, some of the bigger predator fish such as northern pike and muskie. That’s why dock fishing can offer an easy, simple and relaxing way to catch fish, especially when using natural live bait like red worms, night crawlers, crickets and minnows.
One of the challenges of fishing from shore or a dock, however, is can be limitations associated with being near a very small area of water. There can also be only one type of fish that inhabit this aquatic ecosystem. To branch out, all you need to do is look out across the water to the other side of a big lake or river, or perhaps take note of how others are catching fish while in boats. By using your imagination, you can easily multiply your chances reeling in a catch almost anywhere on that water, and especially from a boat.
For tips on fishing from a boat, see our Into Family Fishing and Boating and Fishing 102 – From A Boat videos. (video thumbnails are located on the upper right of the page). If you’d really like to dive into some more educational fun about blending fishing, boating and camping, have your teacher use the free lesson activity below. It will really get you and your classroom thinking critically about how campgrounds can work with anglers and boaters to generate more happy campers by creatively developing fishing-boating facilities and activities. Learn more about this topic in the LEARN MORE section below.
You’ll discover in our video library of Getting Families Fishing episodes and the related educational topic videos, fishing and boating are fantastic ways to spend time with family, enjoy the outdoors, AND learn a thing or two along the way about aquatic science and yourself.
Explore the dozens of videos on fishing and aquatic science. These custom videos are designed to be shared with the entire classroom. You’ll also find other educational content, including custom lesson activities, that blend peer-driven learning with hands-on activities. All that’s left will be to catch an actual fish!
For even more information and resources related to fishing and boating, head to TakeMeFishing.org and DiscoverBoating.com. To learn more about America’s Getting Families Fishing Initiative, head over to the Future Angler Foundation.
To get serious about being a safe-n-smart angling boater, take the complete online boating safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency, and approved by Transport Canada
Are you craving for delicious fish for dinner? Perhaps you should try lunching on crappie! This is a panfish you can find in rivers and lakes all over the country. They are not picky eaters and so many beginning anglers can pull crappie into the boat by fishing with minnows around downed trees, weeds, stumps, and rocks. And when ranked by anglers on tastiness, crappie are usually at the top of the list!
So what’s the big hype? Crappie do not have a “fishy” taste or odor. Instead, the meat is light and flaky in texture with a sweet and lemony flavor. And they are also great for your health! Crappie meat is high in protein and Vitamin D, which help your muscles and organs function and improve your immune system. Crappie also contain Omega 3s which are very beneficial to your health. These fatty acids can fight depression, lower risks of heart disease, can help prevent cancer, and promote brain growth!
Yet, you won’t be able to find these in a store or a restaurant! That’s why families and anglers will fish out in nature to get a taste of this yummy fish. And because you are harvesting crappie right from your rivers or lakes, the fish are fresh and still high in nutritional quality. And they make for some great dishes and meals for your family!
So what are some ways you can cook your crappie for dinner? Chew on some of these ideas:
Oh there are so many delectable ways you can cook crappie for your table! And if you would like to explore how your family can enjoy you meal by having a shore lunch along the riverbank, tap on the “Learn More” section below or by downloading the lesson activity.
But remember …. It’s important you have an adult with you at all times while preparing and cooking your fish! They can be a great helper in the kitchen and ensure you are safe while handling kitchen appliances.
For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.
And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency, and approved by Transport Canada
One of the most popular panfish that anglers can catch in their freshwaters is the crappie. These panfish provide a lot of fast and fun action to anglers and yet, they are often overlooked in many fishable waters. You can actually find them in all 48 contiguous states and can fish for them all-year-long in rivers and open waters.
Although crappies are overlooked, they do play an important role in their ecosystems. They feed on many zooplankton, insects, minnows, and shad, and are great sources of food for predators such as walleye, bass, and northern pike. If these fish were completely removed from their ecosystems, their disappearance would challenge the survival of larger game fish and birds that depend on crappies for food, and could potentially alter ecosystems greatly.
Okay, okay … if that’s so, how does crappie fishing actually help the environment? Aren’t we taking crappie away?
That’s why we have fishing regulations, which are basically laws that limit what anglers can take from the environment. And by following these laws, anglers can actually help conserve and improve the environment for future generations! How can that be? Well every state’s fishing laws are based on the research that fisheries biologists do on our water sources. They check on the health of the fish populations and their ecosystems. When something is wrong with a fishery, the laws can be altered to improve conditions.
So what kind of limits can you follow as an angler?
Size limits - These restrict the length of fish you can keep. Size limits protect the harvest of young fish and give them a chance to grow strong and reproduce! To see if your fish is for keeps, use a measuring board to estimate the length of your fish.
Creel limits – This law controls the number of a species each person can take in a day. It ensures you do not overfish and sustains a natural balance in the ecosystem. For example, crappie can reproduce quickly and can overcrowd small water bodies if not controlled by anglers. So creel limits for crappie may be higher or smaller in different water bodies.
Seasonal limits – Although you can catch crappie all year long, some states may prohibit anglers from legally fishing for crappie during certain seasons. For example, many fish spawn during the springtime, and laws will limit the time anglers can fish during the spring. Seasonal limits may also limit give narrower time periods to fish on waterbodies that are heavily fished.
Limits are definitely the way to go! But remember … every state has different regulations. To make sure you are following your state’s laws, check your Department of Natural Resources’s fishing regulations.
So now that you know the laws, are there more ways you can give back to Mother Earth when fishing? And what are some tips to fishing for crappie all-year-round? Unriddle those critical questions by watching the video or clicking on the "Learn More" tab below. Oh! And don't forget to download the lesson activity for your class. You will produce your own public announcement videos for fishery conservation!
For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.
And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
Can you imagine sitting in a boat on a calm day … hearing the lapping waves, birdsong, and wind through the trees …. And feeling the curious fish underneath you nibbling your fishing line? Fishing is a great way for people to get back to nature. And 51% of anglers say they fish so they can experience the sights and smells and be close to nature. But to protect our natural resources, it is critical that anglers respect the environment where they fish. And one way you can show your respect and love for the environment is by keeping the fish you catch alive and healthy!
So here are some ways you can sustain your fish and make sure everyone in the future can be close with nature too:
When you look at these tips, there are bunches and bunches of ways you can care for your environment while fishing! Ahh … but when you think about it … it’s not only important that anglers take care of the fish, but that they take care of each other as well. So how can your family be safe on the water and have a successful fishing trip out in nature? Dive into the video to investigate the pathways to safe angling. And if you fish out the lesson activity below, your classroom will plan your own safe fishing trip.
For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.
And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
The need for environmental stewards who protect our aquatic ecosystems has never been so great. Right now, our earth faces tons of environmental pressures from humans:
Pollution. Think of all the chemicals and contaminants from our agricultural fields, industrial factories, sewage, and wastewater that drain into our groundwaters and watersheds: oil, grease, wastewater, fertilizers … All these pollutants can have devastating impacts on our aquatic ecosystems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 40% of rivers and 35% of lakes have too many nutrients in them from farm fields. These nutrients drain into watersheds, increase algae blooms, lower oxygen levels, degrade macroinvertebrate communities, and harm aquatic life.
Climate Change. Do you use electric power? Or rely on cars to get you around places? If so, you may be contributing to the warming of the planet. These things burn fossil fuels and emit carbon gases at alarming rates, which create a “greenhouse effect”. This has led to a global warming that is changing seasonal precipitation, warming water temperatures, shrinking cold-water fish populations, and lowering our aquatic ecosystem productivity.
Declines in Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of organisms in an ecosystem. The more biodiversity we have in an ecosystem, the more likely an ecosystem can bounce back from natural disasters, like diseases and storms. Biologists say that aquatic organisms are more threatened than any other life forms right now, especially in freshwater ecosystems. According to scientists, freshwater species are disappearing two to five times faster than land animals! This is mainly due to the destruction of habitat.
Habitat Loss. Our industrial way of life has altered our landscape drastically in the past 300 years … The logging of forests, the spread of cities and agriculture, the development of highways and power lines … these all have contributed to the shrinking of aquatic habitats across the continent!
When looking at all the impacts we have on the planet … it's staggering! So how can we help our environment and become better stewards for planet earth? Did you know it could be something as fun as fishing?
Fishing is not just a recreational sport you can try with your family. It also does loads for your Earth and aquatic ecosystems! Because anglers spend time with Mother Nature and receive her gifts of healthy food, they learn to respect and care for the environment where they fish. They are also the first ones to notice and report pollution or other environmental issues they see in the ecosystem. You can think of anglers as custodians or guardians of our aquatic ecosystems. Many anglers seek to protect the aquatic species they fish for and contribute to the conservation of our aquatic ecosystems. How do they do that? Every time an angler purchases fishing gear, licenses, or permits … a portion of the money is funded to aquatic fisheries and habitat management! And experts say that preventing habitat loss and restoring habitat are vital to protecting our aquatic ecosystems. So when you look at all the good you can do as an angler … it is incredibly rewarding to our environment!
So are you ready to share in the fun of family fishing and become a steward for planet earth? Well the key to being an Earth steward is to first educate yourself about your environmental surroundings. So wade into this video and explore what you can learn about aquatic habitats when crappie fishing with your family! Or dive into the lesson activity to design and craft your own panfish habitat!
For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.
And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency, and approved by Transport Canadahttps://www.boat-ed.com/
Did you know 18% of the American population goes fishing. So what has got people so hooked on this recreation? When anglers were asked why they tried out fishing, they said it helps you spend time with your family, experience excitement and adventure, and there’s an easy access to fishing. These are all great pluses, especially if you need to get away from the grind of homework, chores, and stress!
But can you really access this sport with ease … just like the anglers said? Yes, you can! Often, there is a big misconception that you have to travel by boat into wild, remote areas to get to where the fish are. Yet in reality, almost anyone can go fishing. That’s because the majority of people live near rivers. Rivers are great sources to find your freshwater fish species because they provide many eddies, gravel beds, and shallow waters that fish depend upon for reproduction and growth. They also supply fish with yummy invertebrates as well as pathways that connect migrating fish to our lakes. Rivers are also our lifelines. They irrigate our crops, give us electricity by moving water through dams, and transport materials by boat. So when you think about it … most cities today are positioned near or along a river! And because rivers are a public resource, they belong to everyone, which offers us TONS of opportunities in outdoor recreation. This makes your access to fishing pretty easy … especially if you are only a few blocks away.
So where can you find access to your rivers? Most cities have biking paths, public parking lots, or city parks that run along the edge of the river, which makes it pretty simple to find your way to a river bank and get fishing! Some cities also have boat launches where you can cast your fishing line off the dock, or launch your boat, canoe, or kayak into the river.
Okay … so we found your river. But where will the fish be? Ah … well to figure that out, you have to think about where the fish will seek refuge. Rivers have strong currents and also lots of predators. So what kind of cover can fish find in a river system?
Alright. You are almost ready … Your fishing maps should have a lot of X’s marking where you can begin your river adventure. But how do you fish a river? And what other kinds of fish species can you catch? Let’s test the waters and watch the video! You will discover what methods two teens used while fishing in the city for walleye … and lots of other unique river species too! Or visit the “Learn More” section or lesson activity below to boost your urban fishing and outdoor recreation skills.
And remember … you should always wear a life jacket when fishing in or near a river. Even a strong swimmer may need help if swept up by a strong undercurrent. So always make sure you are wearing a life jacket on your river adventure!
For all kinds of other helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. To discover more about becoming a future angler, visit our educational partners that helped make this video, webpage and lesson possible by clicking on their logos below.
And if you decide to fish, you really need to get serious about being a safe angler. So take the complete online boating and water safety course using the link below.
Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials
Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency, and approved by Transport Canadahttps://www.boat-ed.com/