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Family Fishing in Canada"Still fishing" gets them hooked
But when do you introduce kids to fishing, and what is the best way to do it? If you enjoy fishing and are hoping to pass it along to your kids, you need to plan it out. Make sure it is done in an easy manner and don’t force the issue. There are options to introduce your kids to family fishing in Canada, so read on.
The age of the child will dictate the method of which to introduce them to fishing. At a young age (say 3 to 5) try doing it right from shore. Spending the day in a fishing boat can be hard on a little body at this age, and you have to factor that in. If you can locate a beach on a lake with good structure nearby, you have a good formula on your hands.
An absolutely perfect location for this is Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan . There is over 500 miles of shoreline (most of which is beautiful beach) and clean, clear water. The number of fish species in the lake is remarkable. You can catch walleye, pike, rainbow trout and perch all in the same location - using the same lure or bait! Still fishing from shore is a technique that works wonders for getting kids interested in fishing. It is a method that is used well not only at Lake Diefenbaker, but other wonderful lakes across Canada. Locate a “non-public” beach that you can use. Prepare your day like you are going to spend it making sandcastles, eating sandwiches and drinking Cool Aid. Just make sure you throw in a couple of good casting rods, some leaches, minnows and a perch rig. Family fishing in Canada was never so easy!
The day can be spent as it would normally at the beach, except for one thing. Rig up a fishing rod with the perch rig and leeches or minnows. It is ideal if there is a shelf you can cast the rig out onto (10 to 20 feet deep). From shore, or wading out to your waste, cast the rig with bait to the location you think it needs to be.
The further you need to cast, the more weight you will need at the bottom of your walleye rig. Typically two egg shaped sinkers will get the job done. Make sure you have good distance between you and the kids before you cast your line out.
Once the bait has landed, stick your fishing rod in the sand (or in a rod holder) on the beach. Tighten the slack to the point where your rod tip slightly bends toward the water. With your hand, grab the line along the rod, and give it one or two big time tugs to move your bait around, and make sure it is sitting on top of the structure. Tighten your line again slightly if need be.
Now enjoy! You can build sandcastles, read a book or pick rocks. Just make sure you keep an eye on the rod from time to time. It will be obvious that there is a fish on the end of it. Normally, the fish will take it and swim with it for a few moments before you notice it is on. From time to time, wander back and give the line a shake again just to give your bait a bit of movement. You are looking to attract a scavenger!
When you have a fish on, how much line you have out will dictate how hard you have to move the rod to set the hook. If you have 40 or 50 yards of line out, make sure you give it a very hard tug. If you are lucky, and you have done your homework, you can have a very successful day on the beach!
Particularly on a reservoir, many fish can be caught still fishing this way. The kids will enjoy the day not having to “work” to catch a fish. In between sandwiches and yogurt tubes you can pull in a variety of walleye, pike, perch and whatever the lake has to offer if you are in the right spot.
The looks on their face is priceless as they reel their prize into shore. It’s up to you if you want to keep the fish or not. It can be just simply be a fun activity to add to the agenda for the beach day. It’s easy, fun, and not demanding on their little bodies. Family fishing in Canada has hooked many a child on fishing this way!
If your child is older (5 to 7) they can probably handle the rigor of being in the boat for a day. Make sure however you include many snacks and drinks in your trip, or it will be a tough day on them (and you)! Incorporate many stops and walks on shore for them to stretch out those little legs and let off steam.
Before you head out, do your homework and try to locate a perch hole. A morning of catching perch can be just what the doctor ordered. The perch is a perfect sized fish for kids to catch while family fishing in Canada. Not only can you catch them in bunches, but they taste good too (and are easy to clean with few bones).
Many lodges offer great atmospheres for family fishing in Canada. Hiking trails, playgrounds, beaches and even pools can be found at many locations. Make sure you spend a little bit of time scoping out the best locations for family fishing in Canada. When you talk to the outfitters, tell them the age of your children, and ask what amenities they offer that would appeal to the kids.
Family fishing in Canada is something that you can cherish for a lifetime. If you have not tried it, give it a whirl. You (and your kids) will be happy that you did!
Good luck out there!
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