Tips for Fishing with Toddlers

Author Paige Hulsey as a child, posing with her dad and her 8 lb. catfish

My first fishing memory is still crystal clear. I was in preschool, and my dad took me to fish at my Great-Uncle John’s pond. Oddly, my two older brothers (who are lifelong outdoorsmen) weren’t with us that day. It was just Dad and me. I don’t remember how long we stayed or if we caught anything else, but I do remember the moment my tiny hands felt that massive tug on the line. I was shocked and shouted for help. My dad thought I was joking… until we reeled in an 8-pound catfish. For years, it was the biggest fish I’d ever caught. My favorite photo with my dad is from that day.

My second fishing memory wasn’t quite as charming. We were stuck on a giant Canadian lake with no phone signal, a broken motor, and a storm rolling in. We spent hours slowly working our way to safety.

So, if you're planning a first fishing trip with a toddler, ask yourself: which kind of memory are you hoping to help them make?

A pair of toddlers reel in a small fish

Now that I’m the mom taking my toddlers fishing, I’ve learned a few things (sometimes the hard way) about what works and what doesn’t. Here are my top tips for making your toddler’s first fishing trip a success.

1. Keep Expectations in Check—Theirs and Yours

Don’t expect a perfect day, and don’t sell one to your toddler. Talk them through the plan: how far the drive is, who’s coming, what you’ll bring, and that catching fish can take time, and sometimes, you might not catch one at all. Prepare them for the adventure, not just the outcome.

2. Keep it Simple

Pick a spot close to home. Avoid long walks or rough terrain. You want to save your toddler’s energy (and yours) for the actual fishing.

3. Snacks Matter

Bring plenty, and bring the favorites. Think of snacks as part of the plan, not just backup. A few treats go a long way in keeping spirits up.

4. Keep It Short

Don’t plan an all-day outing. Watch for signs they’re losing interest and be ready to call it a day before it turns into a meltdown.

5. Give Them a Real Shot

Let them use your best gear. Take them to the spot where fish usually bite. Help them feel like this is their trip, not just them tagging along.

6. Read “A Bad Day of Fishing” the Night Before

This book helps prepare little ones for the ups and downs of fishing. It’s a great conversation starter about making the most of the day, even if things don’t go as planned.

Fishing with toddlers might not always be peaceful. But it can be magical in its own messy, unpredictable, snack-filled way. Keep your plans loose, your expectations low, and your tackle box full. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll help spark a lifelong love of the outdoors - one Goldfish cracker and bobber at a time.

"A Bad Day Fishing" Hardcover Book

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