Each year the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) designates four free fishing days. On these days, a fishing license is not needed to fish in the state’s public waters. The final free fishing day for 2022 is this Saturday (September 24th). Free fishing days are perfect for learning how to fish, going solo, or taking your child fishing for the first time!
As I quickly learned, fishing is one of those activities with a bit of a learning curve but it’s a great activity for spending quality time spent as a family talking, laughing, walking in nature, looking at the pond for fish, and just sitting quietly side-by-side.
How To Get Started
If you’re like my family and you’re interested in taking your kids fishing for the first time but aren’t sure where to start, the DNR offers a free education program with instruction and opportunities for learning about fishing.
Where To Fish
Since our family was new to fishing we didn’t have equipment so if you’re like our family don’t let that hold you back. Fishers Parks offers pop-up fishing events on these free fishing days. All equipment is included. If you happen to have your own fishing equipment, drop in a line at a local pond in your neighborhood or one of the many fishing spots #AroundFishers. Since our first adventure in fishing this summer, we learned the top places to fish in Fishers include:
But please remember, all fishing at Fishers Parks is catch and release only. They recommend tamping down the barbs on your hooks to make hook release easier and less harmful to fish.
Tips For Fishing With Kids
1.) Focus On The Experience, Not The Fishing.
On our first fishing adventure, an experienced angler told us, “it’s called ‘fishing’ because you’ll spend 90% of time doing just that; otherwise, we would call it ‘catching.’ Just enjoy the process and each other.” This is great advice for beginners of all ages. My kids and I went into the experience thinking a catch would be immediate, or at least we’d catch something during that adventure. Share with your child this is a process without immediate reward and a good lesson in patience.
2.) Hook, Line, And Sinker
Children are naturally curious, so explain the “how” in fishing. Demonstrate how a bobber works and moves when a fish bites. Teach how to hold the rod in front of their body moving it in a 9 to 11 o’clock position as they cast and share that like any skill, it takes time to learn.
3.) Safety First!
When teaching your child about fishing, start by setting clear safety rules around water and handling the hook. As you teach how to cast, if you have multiple children around, have them practice casting away from the others. Start by practicing casting before you put bait on the hook in short distances, then add length.
4.) Set A Reasonable Time Limit
Remember if you’re fishing with a child, this will most likely not be an all-day event—plan for about one hour, then check in with your child to see if they’re still having fun. If they are, great! Definitely stay longer and enjoy the time together!
5.) Snacks!
“I’m hungry!!” We’ve all heard this phrase and know that kids can get hungry fast especially when there’s downtime. Make sure to pack some easy kid-friendly snacks and drinks. We like bringing fruit, granola bars, pretzels and of course goldfish.
6.) Just Have Fun
The goal of fishing should be to create fun memories and experiences. But fishing takes a lot of patience, especially if the fish aren’t biting. Make this adventure fun by keeping it light and entertaining. If the “catching” is slow, encourage your child to poke around the river bank. Challenge them to see what critters, rocks, and natural treasures they can find. Encourage your children to play with worms, get dirty, make leaf boats, or even just take a break together and walk along the shoreline.
Share your fishing adventures on free fishing day on social media using the hashtags #AroundFishers and #FishersParks!
Megan Gamble was raised in Fishers and has lived here for over 20 years. She lives in the Geist area with her husband, Zane, and two active boys, Miles (4) and Nolan (1). A former teacher and child developmental therapist, she loves finding new adventures with her family in Fishers Parks, as well as attending the city’s family-friendly (and date night perfect) events throughout the year. Her hobbies include photography, coffee, DIY projects, wine, traveling, helping others, and fashion. She loves Fishers’ small town feel though it’s a growing, thriving city and being able to visit and attend festivals, events, and activities with her family that she also attended as a child. Follow her on Instagram at @MilesofAdventures.