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

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?

 

• Bridges, Docks, and Underwater Structures – These places are dynamite for finding your fish. They slow down the current, which give fish areas to rest and feed on smaller baitfish. And you can normally find lots of underwater structures for you to fish!
• Stumps and Vegetation – See any downed logs, stumps in the water, or areas with overhanging bushes and trees? Stop there. These areas provide lots of shade and protection from birds and predators.
• Islands or Rock Piles – You may see rock piles or sandy islands if your river has low water levels or dams upstream. Since these natural structures break up the current, the downstream side of the rocks and islands can have calmer water. These are good places for fish to find refuge from the strong currents.
• Weeds – These are prime fishing locations. If you spot green vegetation underwater, there may be a group of fish hiding in them. These are calmer areas of the river, and are great places for fish to find food, shade, and cover from predators.
• Talk to an Expert – Still stumped? Good thing there are lots of people you could ask nearby for help. Go to a local bait and tackle shop and ask the staff where the best places are to fish on the river. There may be people who work there that fish the river frequently. Or you can ask any of your relatives, friends, or local fishing clubs for help.

 

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

Walleye are one of the most coveted fish for anglers. They not only hook your family on wild meat that is loaded with essential nutrients and proteins, they are also a way to get your family outside and celebrate your ancestral history. Walleye are some of the oldest fish that humans harvested in North America … for 3,000 years in fact!, Yet, catching them can be quite a challenge. You have to understand their seasons, habitats, behaviors, diets, water temperature and depth selection, and more! That’s a lot of patterns to keep track off. So how can you increase your walleye smarts and share in the tradition of wrangling in a few walleye for dinner? Have you ever thought about visiting a fisheries biologist? 

What’s a fisheries biologist you say? They are a special kind of wildlife biologist that specialize in studying aquatic ecosystems. These scientists focus their studies on fish populations (like the walleye!) and discover their relationships with their biological community. And have you seen the special tools they use to study these fish populations? They are pretty neat. Some look like they came right out of a ghostbuster movie!

But these scientists don’t just study for the biology. By evaluating and monitoring walleye and other fish populations, they can suggest and improve their aquatic habitat and populations.  Their research also determines the legal number of a fish species that anglers are allowed take from the environment. This all supports the wise use of natural resources … and promotes a healthy and balanced ecosystem that keeps us healthy too! Pretty cool career, huh?

And doesn’t chatting with a wildlife biologist sound like a great opportunity to better your walleye fishing skills? Consulting your walleye biologist can help educate you in the anatomy, habitats, seasons, behaviors, diet, and environmental factors that walleye depend on as well as their environmental importance. Now that is a caboodle of useful information for any angler!

To “school” your fishing buddies in walleye biology:

• Contact your local fisheries biologist. Search online for “fisheries” or “fisheries biologist” to find a fisheries biologist’s contact info in your state.
• Watch the video to dive into walleye biology with Fisheries Biologist Ali Shakoore
• Investigate the “Learn More” section or lesson activity below to discover the importance of food webs!

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

Fishing is not just a sport …. It is a technique that can give you many life skills: coordination with your motor skills, savviness with tools and gear, communication with your fishing partners, connections to your natural world, knowledge in surviving the wilderness, the value of patience, and the ability to sustain yourself with wild meat! So if fishing can reward you with so many skills, why not start your fishing adventures with a fish that is a wild time to catch … the walleye! 

Catching this freshwater fish on the hook has actually stumped and tested many anglers – including experts. The walleye is crafty, mysterious, and picky in nature. That’s why anglers identify this species as one of the “most prized” fish. And if your family is new to the mysterious walleye, fear not! With a little preparation, your family can be putting walleye in the boat regularly.

First, every successful angler needs a fishing license! This is your ticket to fishing your natural resources and harvesting this tasty fish for your dinner table. To get your state fishing license, go to Take Me Fishing. While retrieving your license, it is always a good thing to check up on your state's fishing regulations. Regulations are laws that limit the number of a species we can take from our environment. By following the laws, we conserve our fish populations and ensure we can continue fishing in the future.

Next, go find yourself a fishing coach if you can! These are experts who can provide you with invaluable information. They can help you locate the fish, provide gear, and coach you on how to catch Ol’ Marble Eyes! It is also their goal to ensure you wrangle in some walleye, and have a safe and successful trip!  To find your fishing mentor, have your parents ask:

• Grandparents or Extended Family
• Friends
• Fishing clubs

Click here to find out more info about fish coaches!

Next, you will want to decide which fishing method you would like to use! Each method will target different water depths and presentations of the bait. Some methods may be more appropriate to use at different times of the year. So make sure you consult an expert or do your research before using a method.

• Trolling – This technique is when you pull one or more lines with lures or bait behind a boat. It allows you to cover a wider area of water, which is great for highly mobile species like the walleye. You can troll from 0.5 to 3 miles per hour in rivers or lakes. And this method can be used at all times of the year with the appropriate bait! For example, anglers will troll in the summer with crankbaits, which are artificial lures that mimic several of the perch, gobies, and other baitfish that walleye prey on at that time of the year. If you and your family get this right, you may be reeling three or more walleye in at a time! What fun!
• Jigging – This technique may require some finesse. Plastic jigs or live bait (like nightcrawler worms) are attached to your fishing rod. The weight on the line will make the bait swirl and touch the bottom of the lake or river bed. Then, every 3 – 5 seconds, you lift and bounce the rod up and down. And the best part about jigging is you can do this in a boat, on a dock, or along the shore!
• Slip bobber – This is one of the best beginner options. A slip bobber is a plastic flotation device that will suspend your bait at a certain depth (preferably about 6 inches to a foot off the bottom). You can use minnows or leeches as bait with slip bobbers in rivers. Surprisingly, this method can be the most productive method used in certain conditions (low current and sunny skies)! Be sure you target shallow waters in the springtime.

 

Not sure which method to choose? Watch the video to see how two teens catch the mysterious walleye by trolling the Great Lakes with their fishing guide. You and your family will discover all there is to know about this technique and more! And you can set yourself up for success by visiting the “Learn More” tab or by downloading the lesson activity below!

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

 

When anglers are asked which fish species they would rank at the top of their list of fish to catch …. most will tell you, “Walleye of course!” This gamefish is commonly considered to be the “golden prize” of our North American water bodies. They are not only pursued by expert sport anglers, but also recreational anglers.

So why are people in such a tizzy over this fish species? Well for one, walleye are REALLY tasty. Their white meat is often described as sweet and succulent, and because it has little fat and oils … it does not have a pungent “fishy flavor”. Many anglers cannot wait for this tasty fish to be off the hook and on their fork! But these popular gamefish are not only tasty … but are mysterious as well. Walleye are considered to be elusive … like ghosts that haunt our waters because anglers have a difficult time finding these fish. This is because walleyes are picky about where they like to hangout. So the more you research about their habitat and biology, the more success you will have in finding them on your next fishing adventure!

Hmmmm … so where should you start? IDENTIFICATION. Any angler in pursuit of a new fish should know what their target species looks like. That way you can keep your eyes peeled for them and enjoy the overall fishing experience. Walleye are the largest member of the perch family (Percidae) in North America. Their bodies are generally an olive-yellow color that is mixed with black mottling. There are five or more vertical black bands on their backs while their bellies are white. Walleye also have large mouths with sharp teeth and very big eyes that help them find prey in dark waters. It is easy to confuse these fish with their close relatives, the Sauger. So look for a white tipped tail fin to distinguish walleyes from sauger.

Next, you need to know their distribution and habitat so you know where to fish! Walleyes can actually be found in medium to large-sized rivers and lakes almost everywhere in North America. They natively occur in the Midwest and were introduced in other eastern and western states from stocking programs. To figure out which water bodies have walleye in them near you, use Take Me Fishing’s online map as your guide. Walleyes can be found in rivers all-year-round. “Old Marble Eyes” will gather near dams, docks, logjams, weed beds, and other underwater structures in rivers. In both rivers and lakes, their favorite spots to congregate are on gravel and rock piles because that is where their prey fish like to hangout as well.

Don’t forget to pay attention to the season! This can tell you WHEN to find your fish. Spring and Fall are great times to go walleye fishing because they will be on the hunt for baitfish. In the Spring, males and females will be spawning (laying eggs) in shallow waters and will need the extra energy. In the Fall, walleye will be feeding on prey in warm shallows to fatten themselves for the winter. In the summer and winter, you can find walleye deeper in the water column, which can be more challenging to anglers, but just as fun!

Ahh … you are almost set to finding the elusive walleye. But you may have some questions still running through your head:

• What kind of bait should you use? And what water depth and temperature should you suspend the bait at? To track down the answers, watch the video!
• What are tools I can use to find my walleye? Check out the “Learn More” section.
• Where can I go fishing? Download the lesson activity to discover fishing locations near you!

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

 

Why do you fish, or why would you want to try fishing? The short answer is that it's "fun". But it's not THAT simple. We're all about science and research here at Into the Outdoors, so let's take a moment to reveal the deeper meaning of the "fun" of fishing into nine defined areas of "personal rewards". Once you've read all the answers below, go ahead and watch the video here to see if you can identify more (or list new ones from your personal fishing adventures).

1. We're programmed to fish: Believe it or not, some say fishing is part of our DNA and who we are as Paleo-hunters because it fulfills our instinct of pursuing and catching our own food. Besides making us more sustainable as a human on Planet Earth (if you consume some of the fish you catch), fishing both calms and excites our senses. Some say the excitement comes from feeling that shock in your hands when the fish strikes your bait while others think it’s the excitement of reeling in that thrashing fish fighting on the end of your line. So fulfilling some primal and exciting interaction with something wild is a kind of personal reward.
2. Create Lasting Memories: Studies show that many people equate "happiness" with creating and recalling treasured memories. That makes sense, right? When most people recall a memory of something "fun" or special in their lives, it often includes several key elements: 1) interacting with nature in the outdoors, 2) bonding with family and friends, 3) a first-time experience with something new. Fishing of course checks all those boxes. But so do a lot of things that fail to generate lasting treasured memories. Here's a simple test; ask five people if they remember catching their first baseball, swinging a golf club or hooping their first basket. Chances are few or none will recall those foggy memories of their favorite "sporting pastime". Now ask the same people if they remember catching their first fish. Betcha get a very different response. So yeah, fishing creates lasting memories that equate to happiness for many people.
3. A great way to unwind: Let’s admit it. Chores around the house, school homework, and the stress of growing up in a world full of ADULTS can sometimes make us kids go coyote crazy with stress. The cure? Fishing is your passport to a stress-free world where you can simply enjoy being outdoors, breathing fresh air, and waiting for the lunker to bite your hook. Some experts believe that fishing brings on a special sense of being free and alive when interacting with nature on the water. Now that’s a sure-fire combo for unwinding.
4. Creating Social Bonds: Look, you can Facebook and Twitter your way around cyberspace until your thumbs fall off. But nothing forms stronger relationships better than face-to-face time with genuine family and friends. And for some unexplained reason, fishing with family and friends can actually cement bonds that last a lifetime. Besides, who better to help you land that big fish than your parents or peeps?

Alright, you're about half way through the personal rewards of fishing. Click on the "Learn More" button below to discover the other 5 personal rewards we listed. And 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

 

Welcome to Florida Fishing Fun as part of our Getting Families Fishing Series.

As you’ll discover in this video, fishing with friends and family offers you pathways to learning about aquatic ecosystems, the fun and bonding of family adventures, plus how to become a more sustainable person here on Planet Earth. This show and others in the series is airing nationally on 5 digital networks 24/7, and syndicated television in 7 states on 33 stations via ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX… plus PBS in some markets.

Okay, so there's several great ways to enjoy and share the fishing fun and education in this show.

First, you can kick back with family or friends to watch this entire half-hour television episode to get the full content in one sitting. Kinda like enjoying a full course meal. Yum-yum.

Then there's the shorter, custom segments on the noted links below. These are the custom "classroom" or learning videos with some bonus content designed to share with your entire classroom. On these links below you'll also find lots of other educational content, including custom lesson activities for your teacher to take your entire classroom on a three to four day journey of peer-driven learning blended with fun and hands-on pathways to try outdoor pursuits yourself.

Whichever way you decide to enjoy the fun and educational content, it's a win-win way for you to get engaged with pathways to discovering more about yourself and the great outdoors.

Until then, enjoy the journey of discovery in all of the content in our Getting Families Fishing Series funded by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in partnership with the Future Angler Foundation, a nonprofit org dedicated to growing sportfishing across the country.

For all kinds of helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. You'll also find lots of fun educational resources for classroom or lakeside learning. Plus, be sure to check out all the helpful resources on TakeMeFishing.org.

Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials

The reason this topic is in "Health Science" is because catching fish is healthy for your physical and emotional health by spending quality relaxing time outdoors with family and friends on the water. Then after you've caught some fish for dinner, it's healthy for your body and brain by eating a super protein that's low in calories and yet high in Omega 3. To make the process of cleaning and cooking your catch relatively easy, watch the video above plus explore the helpful content provided here by our friends at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. And believe it or not, cleaning fish actually provides an opportunity to learn more about fish anatomy and fish diets (what the fish was feeding on before you caught it will still be in its stomach).

Staying Sharp - Cleaning is the technique used to prepare fish without removing bones.
Filleting leaves the fish boneless, and occasionally skinless and is generally used for larger
fish. The most important step in preparing any fish is choosing a sharp knife of the
correct size and shape. Most fillet knives have thin, slightly flexible blades five to
eight inches long. A dull knife can be more dangerous than a sharp knife because
you have to work harder to make the proper cuts. Make sure your knife is sharp,
and hold it away from your fingers and body as you carefully prepare your fish.

Cleaning Your Fish is the simple process of removing the scales and internal organs. Then you can cook your fish with the skin and bones in tact and remove the bones before eating. It works fine on most species of fish, especially on pan fish such as perch, crappie and bluegill.

Step #1 - Remove the scales using a spoon of fish scaler. Scrape off the scales by scraping from the tail toward the head.

Step #2 - Without cutting through bones or internal organs, cut around the head, behind the pectoral fins, and down to the anus (also called "the vent").

Step #3 - Break the backbone by bending the head downward and twisting. Remove the head and internal organs. Clean the inside with water while gently scraping away any remaining "stuff".

Step #4 - Check local rules, but generally you can dispose of wrapped fish waste in a trash bin or bury it deep in your garden. Fish waste does not belong in compost bins. If trash pickup is a few days away, consider freezing them until trash removal.

Filleting Your Fish takes a little more time and skill with practice and is often used on larger fish such as salmon or bass. But the rewards are having a clean, skinless and boneless "fillet" to bake or fry. A sharp "fillet knife" is key to successfully filleting your fish.

Step #1 - Cut along the dorsal fin from head to tail and along the anal fin from anus (or vent) to the tail.

Step #2 - Just behind the gill cover make a vertical cut through the flesh down to the bone. This cut extends from the back to the stomach. Deepen the cut made along the dorsal fin working from head to tail. Hold the knife nearly parallel to the row of bones extending upward from the spine to the back. This cut should extend downward only as far as the backbone.

Step #3 - Repeat this procedure on the stomach side. Cut first from behind the gills to the anus, then along the anal fin cut you made earlier. These cuts should be just below the surface of the belly skin to avoid rupturing internal organs. As you cut up toward the backbone your fillet will come free.

Step #4 - Do not cut the fillet from the tail. Flip the fillet so that it is lying skin-side down. Hold the fish down with one hand just in front of the tail fin. Beginning at the tail carefully skin the fillet, working away from your hand. Work slowly and patiently; cutting too deeply will result in cutting through the skin and not cutting deeply enough will result in lost meat.

Besides that fillet knife, "sharpen" your aquatic science by "exploring" the various internal organs of your fish. Check out your fish’s stomach! Examining a fish’s last meal will help you
become a better angler. Knowing what the fish was eating can help you better match your next lure to this species’ diet. We've also included some lessons below that you can share in class that should help you on your way to becoming a fish biologist, or at least knowing their basic anatomy.

To learn how to cook your cleaned fish, click on the "Learn More" button below and get ready to share your catch with a fish dinner.

The helpful content here about how to clean and cook your catch was  provided by our friends at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check out their website links for more information and classroom education materials. In fact, watch this helpful video on "Eating Your Catch" from WIDNR that helps educate you about some healthy science that you didn't consider.

 

 

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Okay admit it! Kids and even parents today can't seem to "disconnect" from their cell phones long often enough to make time for meaningful face-to-face connections with family and friends.

So what's the solution? One innovative teacher created a summer-school homework assignment that required two "cell phone-addicted" students to make it their "mission to go fishin". As you watch the TV show, try to identify a handful of key elements that can make real family fishing adventures happen. And if you're a student of R3, see where recruitment, retention, and reactivation come into play.

Besides enjoying the action in this program, kids and teachers can share the education that's part of almost every fishing adventure by watching the companion classroom videos and lesson activities with the links below. They're free, fun and an easy to download for engaging peer-driven classroom learning... complete with hands-on sections for getting kids and families fishing.

Fishin' For Food and Fun comes with complete educational content about how to clean and cook your catch and was  provided by our friends at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

 

Fishing YOUR US Forests is your educational "passport to angling adventure". This classroom video has tons of companion lesson activities and resources on how to plan a family fishing adventure on YOUR National Forests. To help plan your next National Forest adventure, click on the logo here.

 

For all kinds of helpful information and resources on how kids can learn where-to and how-to go fishing, explore our companion KidsFishing.US website. You'll also find lots of fun educational resources for classroom or lakeside learning. Plus, be sure to check out all the helpful resources on TakeMeFishing.org.

 

 

Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials

We see information like this in the news all the time. "Studies show that kids spend too much time in front of TVs, Smartphones, and computer screens and not enough time connecting with the natural world and their families."

As if that's not enough bad news, other studies also show that those disconnects from nature and family can undermine our physical and mental health. And too often the "cure" of participating in organized competitive sports only adds to our mental stress when we really need to be de-stressing in quiet, wide-open spaces.

Thankfully, there's a cure. It's called creating your own family-outdoor adventure. And the best part is that it's available on millions of acres in National Forest lands across the country. Plus, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg or make us jump through flaming hoops. Though some parts of the country do have more National Forests than others, most regions still have forests within a day's drive. The video here and information in the "LEARN MORE" section decodes the seven easy steps to creating your personal passport to angling adventure on YOUR National Forests.

Okay, we admit that we need guidance in life from parents and teachers. But we also deserve the chance sometimes to determine what we'd like to do and when. That only seems fair, right? How else are we supposed to problem-solve and develop life skills? So really, this whole passport to adventure exercise benefits our parents by helping us develop skills for navigating through life. (Nice psychology, huh?)

Here's the drill. You can do this with friends, siblings (you know, your brothers or sisters), or classmates. Watch the video once and simply enjoy the content. Then take a moment to consider what kind of outdoor adventure you'd like to have, what's realistic, and how you can use the millions of acres of National Forests. Then watch the video again and pause at the 7 key steps to make some notes on how you can accomplish each step. That may include recruiting help from adults.

We don't want to spoil the "fun" of planning your personal passport to an angling adventure, but chances are you're also going to learn problem-solving, math, geography, science, nature, and government. In fact, you and your class can elevate this fun educational adventure into a dynamic peer-driven learning (your teacher will love those words) experience where you ask and explore critical questions. Simply download the free lesson below, Discovering YOUR National Forests… Through Angling Adventures for learning fun stuff you can actually use in life right now. There's a win-win for you.

And don't forget to have your teacher open the LEARN MORE section below for additional information that will help guide the classroom learning where all the students get to design their own personal passports to adventure. Get a jump-start on designing your adventure by exploring the U.S. Forest Service Regions near you at... Fish YOUR National Forests.

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.

 

 

Official Boater Safety Courses
and Boat Safety Education Materials