Fishing lets you plan a real fishing trip and choose your own gear. You'll learn where fish live, tie your hook on, and spend time on the water. Patience is part of the fun.
Why it's worth it
This time you choose your own rod and tackle, which is how you go from someone who's been fishing to someone who knows how to fish. You'll plan the trip, learn your fish's habitat, tie the right knot, and follow the rules that keep fish populations healthy. Fishing is a skill you can share with friends and family for life, and troops often fish on campouts.
Start this week
- Pick a fish to target and learn three facts about it: what it eats, where it hides, and when it bites.
- Practice the improved clinch knot or Palomar knot ten times with real line and a hook with the point covered.
- Ask your adult to look up your state's fishing rules, including size limits and whether anyone in your group needs a license.
Stay safe
- Wear a life jacket near deep or fast water, look behind you before casting, and let an adult help with hooks and fillet knives.
Requirements · 7
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
Plan a fishing trip: decide where you'll go and what kind of fish you hope to catch; base all remaining requirements on that choice
Tip: With an adult, pick a lake, pond, or river nearby and find out what fish live there.
For example: Your plan might be: "We'll fish for largemouth bass at the state park lake on Sunday morning from the shore near the lily pads, using plastic worms." Include where, when, who, and the fish you're after.
- Requirement 2
Use the SAFE Checklist to plan what you'll need for your fishing trip
Tip: Go through each SAFE point, like having a trained adult along and wearing life jackets near deep water.
- Requirement 3
Describe the habitat where your fish might be found
Tip: Find out where your fish likes to hide, like weeds, rocks, or deep water.
For example: Largemouth bass hide near weeds, logs, and docks in warm water, waiting to ambush small fish and frogs. Trout need cold, clean, moving water with lots of oxygen. Describe the water, cover, and food your fish needs.
- Requirement 4
List the equipment and materials you'll need to fish
Tip: Make a list: rod, hooks, bait, sunscreen, water, and anything else you need.
- Requirement 5
Pick the best knot for attaching your hook to the line, and tie it
Tip: Practice an improved clinch knot or similar knot with thick string, then on real line.
For example: For most hooks and lures, the improved clinch knot works well. The Palomar knot is strong and easy to tie with braided line. Try both, tug-test each, and choose the one you can tie best.
- Requirement 6
On your own, pick the right kind of rod and tackle for your trip; have an adult check your gear
Tip: Pick your rod and tackle for the fish you want, then have an adult look it over.
For example: For panfish, a short, light spinning rod with 4- to 6-pound line and small hooks works well. For bass, you might want a medium rod with heavier line. Show your adult and explain why you chose it.
- Requirement 7
Using what you've learned about fish and gear, fish for at least one hour, following local rules and regulations
Tip: Check local fishing rules with an adult. Fish for an hour and enjoy being outside.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A state fish hatchery or a free fishing day event
Hatchery staff and fishing educators can show how fish are raised and teach casting and knots.
How: Have your adult check your state fish and wildlife agency's website for hatchery tours, kids' fishing clinics, or free fishing days.
Talk about it together
- Why did you choose the fish you did?
- What did you learn from picking your own gear?
- How did you handle any fish you caught, and why does that matter?
- What would you change about your plan for next time?
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
- From Arrow of Light to a troop, What changes when you join a Scouts BSA troop, how to visit and choose one, good questions to ask, and how to make your first year a great one., Youth · Families · 4 min read
For leaders & parents
- Check state fishing license rules for adults and youth before the trip.
- Invite an experienced angler to help with knots and rigging.
People & places that can help
- State fish and wildlife agency — Fishing rules and family fishing spots.
- Local bait and tackle shop — Tips on gear and bait for local fish.
- Take Me Fishing (opens in a new tab) — How to start fishing, knots, and where to fish near you.
- Fishing in National Parks (opens in a new tab) — Fishing rules and spots in national parks.
Pairs well with
Counts toward
More Arrow of Light adventures
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- High Tech Outdoors, Elective, Adventure · 4 requirements
- Into the Woods, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Knife Safety, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Race Time, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Summertime Fun, Elective, Adventure · 1 requirement
Into this? Explore more
Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.