Teach Fishing

Take a free, fun, hands-on instructor training workshop (4-6 hours). Learn to teach fishing basics to children and adults in your community.

Check the calendar for future angler education workshops near you.

Young adult woman learning to cast a fishing rod and reel

What We Provide

  • A curriculum that is hands-on and fun for participants
  • FREE educational materials, including certificates and fish pins
  • Loaner equipment where available 

For more information about our angler education instructor certification program, please see our brochure (PDF).

Who Uses This

  • Teachers (State Board for Educator Certification credit available)
  • Youth group leaders, including Scout groups
  • City and county parks and recreation staff
  • Local community groups
  • Religious organizations
  • Home-school groups
  • After-school groups
  • Fishing clubs
  • Camp staff

What We Teach

Basic Fishing classes introduce participants to: equipment, knot tying and tackle assembly; casting and fishing skills; fish ID and habitats; regulations and ethics; and safety and stewardship. 

Advanced Fishing classes provide more advanced experiences in both fresh and saltwater fishing, as well as information about both fresh and saltwater aquatic environments.

Basic Fly Fishing is an introduction for children (ages 10 and older) and adults to become familiar with: fly rods and reels; tackle assembly; flies and fly tying; proper casting techniques; aquatic habitats; regulations and ethics; safety and stewardship.

Intermediate Fly Fishing provides additional knowledge and skills. Children (ages 10 and older) and adults learn to: identify fish and fish habitats, tie fly fishing knots and flies, understand fishing regulations, properly handle fish and cast safely.

Please see the calendar to find upcoming fishing classes and events in your area.

How our Program Works

illustration of the Angler Education program cycle

Report Your Classes

Documentation of  your fishing classes and events are volunteer 100 hour pin award vital to the success of our program. Instructor hours are used as a match for our USFWS Aquatic Education Federal Aid grant. View the Reporting Guidelines to ensure your reports meet all policies. Volunteer Instructors receive annual incentives, including a 100-Hour Pin for our Top Lures!

Use a computer, smart phone or tablet with internet connection to report online:
How to set up a short cut on your smart phone

Report online - it's easy!

Not sure what can be reported? Check out this FAQ. 
See the list of class/event descriptions in the  Instructor Guide or on this chart
To learn how to report online, view this PDF or watch the video below: 

More Resources for Educators

Fishing for Conservation: excerpt from Texas Aquatic Science curriculum

Recycle Fishing Line: How to make a collection tube for old fishing line, courtesy of "Fishing's Future"

State Fish Art Contest: Students in grades 4-12 in any school (including private school or home school) are invited to submit a drawing of an officially-recognized state fish as well as a one-page essay about its behaviors, habitats or conservation status. Students in K-3 may also submit a drawing, with no essay required.

Additional teaching resources are available on the Instructor Resources webpage

 

Volunteer Spotlight

Why did you volunteer to become an angler educator?  

I enjoy the outdoors and love teaching children skills to make them love the sport of fishing. From my experience, I see that many children have few opportunities to learn how to fish. When parents get involved in the learning, children find it more meaningful for them.

~ Irma R., San Benito, TX

I became a volunteer to be able to work with kids, and teach about fishing and outdoor activities, as well as stewardship of our lakes, rivers, and streams. Most importantly, I volunteer to pass on the passion of fishing that was instilled in me as a child, and promote family unity with outdoor activities.

~Rodd G., El Paso, TX