The final weekends of summer present opportunities to reinforce the fun of fishing in the minds of youngsters. If school has not already begun, it will soon, and they need fond memories of the past summer.

For children to enjoy fishing, it is important to know the child. Pre-school children are more interested in chasing minnows and casting rocks than they are in spending a day “chunkin’ and “winding” a bass rod. It is important to consider the short attention span of young children. To them, fishing is something that you do for a little while until bored.

Adults need to watch for signs of boredom and then switch the activity either temporarily or for the day. It is important youngsters catch fish to maintain interest in the activity. Just sitting and watching a bobber float on the water will get old in a hurry. That is why bluegill and sunfish are such a great fish for kids. They are also easy to find in the late summer and early fall. Youngsters can see the fish swimming in the water. Small sunfish are voracious eaters and will take a piece of nightcrawler presented by young anglers. The tug on the line is exciting to the novice angler even if it is not from a giant bass.

Regardless of how many fish the youngster catches it is important to be able to recognize the opportunity of teaching “catch and release.”

Picnic lunches and snacks are good alternatives to fishing for the bored child. Remember that children get hungry more quickly than adults. Take along a cooler with snacks and plenty of drinks. Be sure that everyone stays hydrated. Nothing can ruin a future fisherman’s love of the sport like a trip to the hospital for an IV to combat dehydration.

A bat and ball or football to throw around can be a break from the rigors of fishing.

It is important to have and use sunscreen. Sunburn can ruin fond memories of a trip. It is also a good idea to have any child near water wear a personal floatation device. You cannot watch them every second. Kids have a way of finding a way of falling into the water when you are not looking.

The ultimate idea is to make fishing a fun time and then youngsters regard it as an experience they will await with anticipation all winter to repeat in the spring.

For more insight and tips for fishing throughout the year, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.