Written by: Emily Joswiak • March 6, 2025• Family

4 Tips for Freshwater Fishing With Your Kids

New to family fishing? Discover expert tips for freshwater fishing with your children, including choosing the best spot and using the right gear.

A man and small child fish inside a green kayak. The child is smiling and pulling up his fishing line.

For anglers, casting a line into a lake or river teeming with fish is always exhilarating. It’s natural to want to share this experience with your kiddos. However, freshwater fishing with kids isn’t quite the same as heading off on a solo fishing trip. To make the experience fun and hassle-free for everyone, you’ll need a little preparation and patience. Don’t miss these essential tips for freshwater fishing with your kids.

1. Choose a Kid-Friendly Fishing Spot

The location sets the tone for your fishing adventure, so picking the right spot is key. If you’re in Florida, where freshwater fishing spots are abundant, Lake Okeechobee, the St. Johns River, and the Florida Everglades are just a few iconic areas perfect for your next family fishing trip.

2. Use Simple Gear and Tackle

While there are plenty of accessories you can bring on a fishing trip, not all of them will be necessary or helpful for children. Here are some things that’ll be more useful for your little ones.

Kid-friendly fishing rods: Opt for lightweight rod-and-reel combos made specifically for children. Many tackle shops sell starter kits perfectly designed for smaller hands.
Basic tackle essentials: Stick to easy-to-use tackle, such as bobbers, hooks, and split-shot sinkers. Circle hooks are a great choice because they’re less likely to snag, making them safer for kids.
Live bait vs. artificial lures: Live bait, like worms or minnows, can be fun to fish with but may be too much for some kids to handle. In that case, you might want to consider artificial lures.

3. Focus on Fun, Not Just Fishing

Keep the atmosphere light and fun, and don’t get too focused on catching big fish. Instead, celebrate every success, whether your child just learned to cast or caught a tiny sunfish.Just remember to explain that results don’t matter; sometimes, the fish aren’t biting, and that’s okay!

4. Teach Good Fishing Etiquette

Part of the joy of fishing is learning to respect wildlife and practice patience. Teaching your children good fishing manners early on will set them on the path to becoming mindful anglers. For instance, demonstrate how to handle fish responsibly. If you’re practicing catch-and-release, show your kids how to minimize harm by wetting their hands before quickly handling the fish and releasing it back into the water.

Also, teach your children to respect nearby anglers. For example, if you’re fishing from a kayak, know the dos and don’ts of kayak fishing etiquette, such as keeping a safe distance from boats and other kayaks.

Make the Most of Your Fishing Adventure

If you have a budding angler in your family, use our tips for freshwater fishing with your children. Whether you’re teaching kiddos how to attach bait or simply wait for a nibble, you can enjoy fishing as a family bonding experience.

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