A Bear Goes Fishing

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

A Bear Goes Fishing helps you learn about local fish, the rules that protect them, and how to use your gear. Then you'll head out and put it all to work. Fishing teaches patience and gets you close to nature.

Why it's worth it

A Bear Goes Fishing takes you a step past just dropping in a line. You'll learn about fish that live near you, the rules that keep fish around for the future, and how to use your gear and tie on a hook yourself. Then you'll fish for real. Fishing can become a hobby you share with friends and family for the rest of your life.

Start this week

With your adult, find your state's fishing rules on its fish and wildlife agency's website.
Look up three kinds of fish that live in a lake, river, or pond near you.
Ask an adult who fishes to show you a fishing knot, and practice it with string on a pencil.
Practice casting in the yard with a practice plug or small weight instead of a hook.

Stay safe

Stay back from the edge, and wear a life jacket on docks and boats with an adult close by.
Look behind you before every cast, and let an adult take hooks out of fish.

Requirements · 6

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

Requirement 1
Learn about three kinds of fish in your area
Tip: Look at a fish guide or ask a bait shop which three fish live near you.
For example: Three fish near you might be bluegill (small and round, likes shallow water), largemouth bass (big mouth, hides near weeds), and channel catfish (whiskers, feeds near the bottom).
Requirement 2
Learn the fishing regulations where you live with your den leader or another adult
Tip: With an adult, look up your state's fishing rules online or pick up a rules booklet.
Requirement 3
List three of those regulations and one reason each one exists
Tip: Pick three rules, like size limits, and talk about how each one helps protect fish.
For example: Size limits let young fish grow up and have babies. Daily limits make sure there are fish for everyone. Fishing license money helps pay for fish habitat and stocking.
Requirement 4
Get to know how to safely use the fishing equipment you'll use on your outing
Tip: Practice casting in the yard with a weight instead of a hook, and always look behind you first.
Requirement 5
Learn to attach a hook, lure, or fly to the line properly
Tip: Have an adult show you a simple knot to tie on a hook or lure, then practice it.
For example: Ask an adult to teach you a common knot, like the improved clinch knot. Practice on a hook with no point, or a paper clip, until you can tie it by yourself.
Requirement 6
Go fishing for at least 30 minutes, practicing what you learned about fish and fishing equipment
Tip: Fish for at least 30 minutes with an adult nearby, and use what you learned.
For example: Fish for 30 minutes from a pier with your den, using the bait and knot you learned. Keep a log of what you caught or saw, the bait you used, and the time of day.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

A fish hatchery
Hatcheries raise thousands of young fish to stock lakes and rivers, and you can see fish at different sizes.
How: Have your adult check your state wildlife agency or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website for hatcheries with visitor areas, and go with your family or den.

Talk about it together

Which fishing rule surprised you, and why do you think it matters?
What was the hardest part of tying your knot?
What did you notice about the fish or the water while you waited?
How would you teach a younger Scout to fish safely?

Good questions to ask a state wildlife officer or experienced angler

Why do some lakes have different rules than others?
How do you know if a fish is big enough to keep?
What's the best way to release a fish so it stays healthy?

Helpful reads

Cub Scouts: a guide for families, How Cub Scout ranks and adventures work from kindergarten through fifth grade, what an adult partner does, and how to keep it fun at meetings and at home., Families · Leaders · 4 min read

For leaders & parents

Pick a calm fishing spot with good footing and plenty of adults watching the water.
Ask a state wildlife officer or local angler to teach the rules and knots.

People & places that can help

State fish and wildlife agency — Fishing rules, local fish, and kids' fishing events.
Local bait and tackle shop — Staff can suggest gear and good spots.
Scouting America: A Bear Goes Fishing (opens in a new tab) — The official requirements and den activity ideas for each one.
Take Me Fishing: How to Fish (opens in a new tab) — Beginner guides to knots, casting, bait, and fish identification.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Fish and Aquatic Conservation (opens in a new tab) — How national fish hatcheries raise fish and protect rivers and lakes.
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (opens in a new tab) — Helps grown-ups find their state's fish and wildlife agency.

Bear, Rank · 7 requirements

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.