Monday, March 30, 2015

Tips for Educators Conducting a Fishing Field Trip

Organization is the key to a successful field trip. The following suggestions are meant to help make your experience more enjoyable.

Beforehand
1. Make sure students who are 16 years of age or older know where/how to obtain a fishing license. Vendors are listed at www.iowadnr.gov. Students can purchase a 24-hour license.

2. Locate a pond or lake as close to the school grounds as possible. Make sure the fishing area is easily accessible and will accommodate your students. If you are unable to locate an area, contact your local DNR fisheries field office, county conservation board, or fishing club for assistance.

3. Contact your local tackle distribution center to reserve the rods and reels (if necessary).

4. Plan for other outdoor activities to enhance the field trip (e.g., identification of plants, animals, and habitats; biking, hiking, and walking; service projects – the possibilities are endless if you incorporate other areas of learning).

5. If you are planning a trip longer than one hour, are there restroom facilities available? Should students take refreshments?

6. If you are taking a large group of students, recruit volunteers such as parents, grandparents, or members of a local fishing club to assist.

7. Remind students to dress for the situation. Sturdy shoes and jeans are a must. Hats also are a good idea. Have a first aid kit on hand with sunscreen and insect repellent.

8. Prepare permission slips and obtain signatures from parents or guardians before the field trip. Include a list of “good conduct” rules students are expected to follow.

9. Discuss appropriate conduct in the field and “angler etiquette” before your trip.

10. If you are stopping to buy licenses on the way, allow enough time.

11. Allow enough time to reach the fishing site and fish for at least an hour before returning. (It will take some time to rig poles and get started.)

12. Have rods and reels, terminal tackle, and bait ready to go.

13. Discuss ahead of time what you will do with your catch. If you plan to keep fish, it's a good idea to take along a cooler with ice. If you plan to release fish, make sure students know how to properly handle fish to be released.

14. Take along trash bags and containers for your garbage. Take along gloves to pick up trash if your area needs a clean up.

At The Site
1. Go through the basic safety procedures and etiquette one last time.

2. Pair students so more experienced anglers can assist beginners. 

3. Hand out equipment and have students assemble their rigs before dispersing to different areas to fish.

4. Make sure students are safe distances from each other for casting purposes.

5. Keep the bait, first aid kit, and spare terminal tackle in a central location. Be sure to keep the bait cool. Provide smaller containers for individuals to carry some bait and tackle with them. 

6. If you plan to keep fish, make sure that students have stringers, buckets, etc. It ’s best to get them in a cooler of ice as soon as possible.

7. Pick up any garbage before you leave the site. Emphasize that the area should look as good (Or even better!) when you leave as when you came.


8. Make sure you have all equipment before leaving.

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