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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