the 2010 digest - New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

Reel Fun :
Go Fish with the Kids!
Five-year-old Caysen Allard of Weare with trophy crappie catch;
Lake Massabesic, 2008.
Do you remember... lazy summer afternoons, hanging out
on the bank of a favorite pond, fishing with worms and joking around with your best
friend? Those were the days! Can your children have this same kind of laid-back experience?
Definitely. In fact, fishing is one of the best ways to spend time together as a family
and create lifelong memories. We all long for those simpler days of no commitment other
than catching a fish; you can relive those times by simply going fishing.
Fishing with kids is simple. You just need a place to go—there are thousands of fishable
lakes, ponds, and streams in New Hampshire, many of them right in the neighborhood—
and a little bit of gear. An inexpensive rod-and-reel combo is easy to find at a variety store,
or often in your own basement! Colorful, kid-friendly tackle boxes are readily available
for toting hooks, sinkers, bobbers, lures, and a pair of pliers. And there’s always the old
coffee can filled with fresh-dug worms from the garden.
Plan ahead for comfort, and let the kids help decide when and where to go and what to
bring. Dress for the weather. Bring snacks and drinks, a blanket or lawn chairs, a hat,
sunglasses, sunscreen. It’s a good idea to keep the first few trips short—say, an hour or
two—and let interest and enthusiasm grow. If the fishing is slow, you can use the time
to look for signs of wildlife.
Most adults go fishing for the camaraderie (or solitude, depending!) and the outdoors
experience; but for a lot of kids, it’s important to make a catch that first time out. You can
help by seeking out special “kids’ ponds,” or local places that are packed with panfish
like crappies and sunfish. And don’t forget the camera—you’ll definitely want to have a
picture of that first-fish smile!
Fishing is a great way to
reconnect with friends and
family. Children under age
16 don't need a license to
fish, so why not bring them
along for a day of fresh air,
sunshine and family fun?
For fishing tips, species
identification and places to
cast your line in N.H., consult
the Shorebank Fishing Guide
to the Manchester/Nashua
Region, the Great North
Woods, or the Southwest
Region.
Call (603) 271-3211 and we’ll
send you one, or download
from: www.FishNH.com
Free Fishing Day
Saturday, June 5, 2010
• Freshwater Sportfishing Only
• NO LICENSE REQUIRED
• Resident or Nonresident
• All Other Regulations Apply
EXCEPTION: Atlantic Salmon Permit still
required for Merrimack River Brood Stock
Fishery Program.
Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine
is the first obvious bonus to learning how
to fish; most parents would agree that just
being away from the computer games and
other modern distractions is a step in the
right direction! Children relish the chance
to have quality time with adults away from
home. And of course, there’s the fishing; it’s
a lifelong skill that can provide a sense of
accomplishment along with a darn good
time. Fishing doesn’t have to be difficult
or far from home—and it’s free for kids
under 16. The important thing is to do it
as a family and have fun.
38 2010 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest