Wowser browser, we have so many new angling education videos, lessons and more, we can’t even begin to fit them all on this page. So to make things easy-peasy for you, simply click on the link to our Aquatic & Angling (fishing) Science section at IntotheOutdoors.org. There you’ll find 22 new videos and lessons to not only help you catch more fish on the water, but you and your teacher can get all kinds of fun and free lesson activities so your entire class can share in the discovery of learning about the science of fishing.
As kids, most of our activities are planned by adults. Sure, we appreciate their help. But we’d also like to plan some of our own adventures in life. So thankfully the video and information linked below gives us kids a clear path to mapping out our own adventure… where adults still get to play key roles in YOUR PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE on our National Forests.
We don’t want to spoil the “fun” of planning your personal passport to angling adventure, but chances are you’re also going to learn problem solving, math, geography, science, nature and government. In fact, you and your class can elevate this fun educational adventure into a dynamic peer-driven learning (your teacher will love those words) experience where you ask and explore critical questions. Simply go to this link below, then download the free lesson, Discovering YOUR National Forests… Through Angling Adventures for learning fun stuff you can actually use in life right now. There’s a win-win for you.
Do you want the skinny on Biological Carrying Capacity? Then discover the answers by watching this Serious Science video and reading the information you’ll find on this Into the Outdoors Education page. And to take this aquatic education learning adventure into your classroom, have your teacher download the free Lesson Activities at the bottom of that page so everyone can share in the fun of this inquiry based learning how BCC impacts various species.
So if an ecosystem can only support a limited number of a certain species before problems begin happening… how do scientists determine what that number is and what things can affect it? Hint… BCC! Watch the video and share the classroom lessons and you’ll be on your way to becoming a biologist.
Let’s say that you have two fish. One has a lifespan of 100 years and one has a lifespan of five. One first spawns in its second year and one waits until it is 25. Why is there such a difference and what does this mean for the two species?
Dive into this topic and by watching the Serious Science video Comparing Fish Life Cycles on this Into the Outdoors Education page. You’ll be transported underwater to compare and contrast two well-known fish species here in the Upper Midwest. And to take this aquatic education learning adventure into your classroom, have your teacher download the free Lesson Activities at the bottom of that page so everyone can share in the fun of this inquiry based learning about comparing the fish life cycles of various species that share the same body of water. You’ll also learn how this branch of science helps biologists understand the bigger picture of the whole interrelated ecosystem.
This 50-Page angling curriculum is the complete Instructor’s Guide to Educating and Recruiting Junior Anglers! With 30 Lesson Activities, it offers lessons from Grades 4-6 up through Grades 7-8 to educate and recruit our next generation of anglers through classroom and peer learning. It’s correlated to education standards and gives teachers free-n-easy ways to offer aquatic education that inspires hands-on learning about angling, science, nature and the environment. If you want to see kids get excited about learning, dive into these lessons! Compliments of the WI DNR.
This 164-Page angling and aquatic education curriculum is the complete Instructor’s Guide for Middle and High School Angling Education. It contains everything teachers need for conducting all the related classroom and field activities that companion the Hook, Line & Thinker Student Field Guide and Science Guide. With tons of background and science information, it’s also correlated to education standards and gives teachers free-n-easy ways to offer aquatic education that inspires hands-on learning about angling, science, nature and the environment. Compliments of the WI DNR.
In this free Freshwater Fish Identification Guide, (compliments of WI DNR) you’ll discover 26 popular species of fish that you might catch. This Guide tells you about fish habits and habitats, plus offers ideas on where and how to catch them. You can download this PDF to your Smart Phone or print a copy to take fishing with you. It’s also a great way to learn about those species that you might catch but you’re unsure… “What kind of fish is this anyway?” 
Download and print this free Angling Field Guide, (compliments of WI DNR) to help you catch fish. It offers lots of tips on rods, reels, hooks, lures, baits, knots and other information that will help you become a successful angler. It’s designed to print in color, assemble, fold in half and staple in the middle so you can take it with you when you go fishing (or for reading the night before when you’re planning your trip). It even has info on how to clean and cook your catch so you can host a fish fry for your friends or family. Plus is has cute cartoons to make you smile.
This “Hook, Line & Thinker” Field Guide is 34 pages full of Field Knowledge to make you a successful angler. The “Before You Go” section will help you get “outfitted” with the right tackle, skills, rules and safety for your angling adventures. The “Making The Catch” section will help you figure out how to locate and catch different species of fish, plus shows you how to clean and cook your catch. Ask your teacher to download the full free curriculum that goes with this educational field guide so you and your peeps can learn all kinds of cool stuff while having fun… who said education had to be boring?
This “Hook, Line & Thinker” Science Guide offers 60 pages of Aquatic Science Knowledge that will help you become a more successful angler. The old saying “Knowledge Is Power” really applies to fishing. If you know HOW to catch fish… then you’ll catch fish. The “Ecology & Biology” section will help you understand the detailed biology of fish and the biological differences between key species. The “People Knowledge” section reveals the social, political and management issues of our healthy fisheries programs. Ask your teacher to download the full free curriculum that goes with this educational field guide so you and your peeps can learn all kinds of cool stuff while having fun. Keep this up and you’ll be a fish-savvy genius before we’re done!
Fishing is a great way for everyone to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories together. The Discover Nature — Fishing Program helps Missourians gain the skills and confidence to go fishing on their own. They also offer this free PDF, An Introduction To Fishing that decodes the process from getting started and everything to cleaning and cooking your catch. So check out this link and get your free copy. And consider angling in Missouri sometime!
From our Get Families Fishin’ partners at RBFF, this Passport to Fishing & Boating Program provides skills, techniques and information that novices need to begin boating and fishing in their communities. Each of the six hands-on stations focuses on a key participation aspect and includes strong conservation messages. Straightforward, effective, inexpensive and FUN. Simply follow the instructions on this link to get this free “hands-on” program that teaches elementary schoolers and families how to get fishin’. https://www.takemefishing.org/corporate/resource-center/event-planning-education-resources/passport-to-fishing-boating/
Here’s a ton of helpful how-to fishing videos and information to learn how to fish with links on how to teach aquatic education from our angling friends in Texas. https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/angler-education/learn-to-fish
Besides the over 3,400 free-loan rods and reels available at over 100 locations around Iowa to use for a fishing field trip or to teach casting… this link also offers a dozen (that wold be a full 12) free angling and aquatic education resources for teachers. http://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/For-Teachers/Fishing-Education
The MinnAqua leader’s guide has 39 detailed, beautifully illustrated fishing and aquatic education lessons and activities. You can also download full curriculum or lessons. To request a hard copy of a sample lesson and invertebrate identification key from the Leader’s Guide, please email Cassandra Hawkenson. Check it out at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/minnaqua/index.html
Here’s a treasure-trove of how-to fishing and aquatic education resources from the Illinois DNR. In fact, there are some many free resources and podcast, it will make your reels and heads spin. Just click this link to all their posters, booklets, guides and lessons… woo-hoo! https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/pages/edufishes.aspx
