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Go Fish

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Go Fish is your first fishing trip with your adult partner. You'll learn how to stay safe near water, imagine what fish live there, and then try catching one. Even if the fish aren't biting, time by the water is a treat.

Why it's worth it

Fishing is waiting, watching, and then a big tug on the line. In Go Fish you and your grown-up learn the safety rules, guess what fish live in your spot, and then go try to catch one. Even if nothing bites, you'll see bugs, birds, and ripples on the water. Fishing is something you can enjoy your whole life, with almost anyone.

Start this week

  1. Ask your adult to look up a pond, lake, or pier near you where families can fish.
  2. Look at pictures of fish that live in your area, like sunfish, catfish, or trout.
  3. Find out if your family can borrow a simple rod and reel, since some parks, libraries, and state agencies lend fishing gear.

Stay safe

  • Wear a life jacket on docks, piers, and boats, and stay within arm's reach of your adult near the water.
  • Hooks are sharp. Let your grown-up bait hooks and remove them from fish.

Requirements · 3

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

  1. Requirement 1

    Learn the rules for safe fishing with your adult partner

    Tip: Go over the rules together, like staying close to your grown-up near water and handling hooks carefully.

    For example: Fishing safety rules can be: stay close to your grown-up near the water, wear a life jacket on docks and boats, look behind you before you cast, and let an adult take hooks out of fish.

  2. Requirement 2

    Draw the kind of fish you expect to find where you are going fishing

    Tip: Look at pictures of fish that live in lakes or rivers near you, then draw the one you hope to see.

    For example: If you'll fish at a pond, you might draw a bluegill: a round, flat fish with a dark spot near its gill. Color it and show it to your den before your trip.

  3. Requirement 3

    Go fishing with your adult partner

    Tip: Pick a calm spot like a pond or pier, with your adult close by. Wear a life jacket if you're near deep water.

    For example: On a calm morning, go to a pier with your adult. Put a worm on the hook together, cast gently, and watch the bobber. If you catch a fish, look at it closely, then let your adult help you let it go.

Places to visit

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

  • A fish hatchery

    You can see thousands of baby fish growing in tanks before they're put into lakes and rivers.

    How: Have your adult check your state fish and wildlife agency's website for hatcheries with visitor hours, and go with your family or den.

  • A kids' fishing day

    Many towns and parks hold free family fishing events with loaner gear and helpers.

    How: Your adult can look up events from your state fish and wildlife agency or ask your den leader to plan a den outing to one.

Talk about it together

  • What fish did you hope to catch, and what did you really see?
  • How did it feel to wait quietly for a bite?
  • What other animals did you notice near the water?
  • What is the most important fishing safety rule, and why?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Plan a den fishing outing at a stocked pond and invite an experienced angler to help.
  • Check your state's fishing rules for young anglers and their adults before the trip.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

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