I live in an area with an abundance of lakes, ponds and rivers. As a result, there are an abundance of vacation and rental homes, filled every summer with people looking to get back to nature. Part of that experience for many of them includes throwing a line into the water and seeing if anything bites. I have witnessed whole families doing this together, some quite harmoniously, others not so much. Here are five tips that will help turn your family's next fishing trip into a treasured memory.
• Don't make your child's first fishing experience your first one as well--Your kids are going to look to you for answers. It is always helpful to have a few answers ready. Sneak out by yourself to practice casting, tying knots and baiting a hook.
• Go to a place where you know there are fish--Nothing kills interest in fishing like spending an afternoon without getting a nibble. Find a stocked lake or pond and ask at local bait shops for good places to take kids. Landing a few panfish will earn you a fishing buddy for life.
• Don't raise expectations too high--Fishing is unpredictable at best, infuriating at worst. There is a fine line between getting the kids excited to go fishing and filling their heads with visions of reeling in a prize-winning bass. This is a tough one. Good luck.
• Know what to do if you actually catch one--Landing a fish can be tricky, and unhooking one can be a nightmare. Using hooks that are too small and easily swallowed is a common mistake. Hopefully you will have snuck out and caught a few, as per tip #1, so you have a feel for it. If not, watch a few videos online, keep a pair of pliers handy, and stay calm. You can do it. Also, take the time to learn the correct way to release a fish back into the water so it can live to fight another day.
• Keep it simple--Flashy lures that swivel, pop and rattle are cool, but it is hard to beat a worm and a bobber for pure fishing fun. There is something about watching a bobber twitch, dip and finally go under that never gets old. Definitely give lures a try, but always have some worms on standby.
Remember above all to have fun and enjoy your time together. Best fishes!
(Images by Flickr user MyFWCmedia, licensed for use under Creative Commons)
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
Get a child size fishing pole. Our beloved Snoopy fishing pole kit cost less than 10 dollars years ago and has doubled in value over time!
If you don't have much experience fishing, look up the summer schedule of your local nature center, recreation center, or Issac Walton League. In areas with ponds, rivers, bays, you can often find kid fishing sessions or parent-child fishing sessions.
If you don't want to touch worms or other crawlers, try different types of bait like hot dogs, corn or marshmallows. Sometimes these work better anyway. Haha.
I really enjoyed fishing as a child, and I always go with my dad whenever I'm back home or close enough to the family cottage to visit. I had my own mini tackle box and rod, and taking ownership of its contents was a lot of fun. I also enjoyed learning about the different fish species in our lake, and what color lures would work best.
Also, if you're out on a boat, make sure you bring lots of fun snacks and drinks, a travel game or two, and emergency toilet paper. You never know when you'll have to dock the boat on a nearby island for an emergency bathroom break. And keep fishing trips short. An hour or two is plenty for a young angler. Anything more can be torture if the fish aren't biting.
Make sure your kid knows how to cast and when to cast. I've seen too many hooks embedded in human flesh. Knowing how to take a out a hook without tearing the flesh is a good tip as well.
Umm, speaking of hooks - put a pair of thongs (flip-flops) on your kids' feet!
That first picture of the little girl in a white cardigan and bare feet made me lol.
I'll add another. Get a license. Know your laws. You don't want the day out with your kids ruined because you did something illegal. In my neck of the woods enforcement officers are out every weekend checking with fishermen- checking limits and licenses.
i agree with @KD_MUSE. when we went to the family camp in grand isle, we all had these personalized poles my grandfather made for all the grandkids. even though i wasn't particularly good at fishing when i was young, i felt included.
also, kids seem to really like squirmy things, and i remember we had a lot of fun hooking minnows onto the poles. my cousin would wear them on his fingers like little hats -- strange kid. but learning how to cast the line was fun too. make it a fun occasion. if there are other kids around, it might become competitive, and that can be fun too.
how many times did i just use "fun"? that should be the main priority!
Bring snacks and wipes. If you have one, it's also nice to bring a book to help you identify fish so you have something to keep the kids engaged. And if nothing's nibbling, just have a casting contest to keep it fun.
My oldest (now 4) loves to fish. He started at 2 yrs old with his grandpa, but I always try to tag along (without a pole) so there's an extra pair of hands to help if needed. Extra hands never hurt when you're working with little guys.