Fishing
BSA Fishing
Welcome to the BSA fishing page. Below you will find some resources to help your unit, district or council in developing your fishing program.
Fishing is a low-cost outdoor activity for all Scouts. It is safe, fun and rewarding. Fishing is a top-four preferred Outdoor Activity for Scouts.
These resources were developed through the BSA fishing team along with several trained BSA Certified Angler Instructors, BSA Angling Educators, and other leaders.
For more fishing info and to learn more visit the Fishing site of Scout Life magazine at https://fishing.scoutlife.org/
Why BSA Fishing?
Lord Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting, was an avid fisherman and believed that fishing, especially fly-fishing, taught Scouts to be patient, conservation-minded and to love nature. (see quotes below)
- Fishing (Angling) was an original Merit Badge
- Over two million Scouts have earned the Fishing MB
- Fishing is consistently in the top 10 “non-required” MBs
- Fly Fishing Merit Badge was introduced in 2001and has grown in popularity every year.
- Fishing is a top-four preferred Outdoor Activity for Scouts
- The BSA Certified Angling Instructor (CAI) program was developed in 2004 to teach Scouters how to teach Scouts to fish, to develop better fisheries, to provide quality fishing programs and to utilize fishing to recruit and retain new Scouts.
- In 2021, the Fishing Merit Badge was the third most popular “non-required” Merit badge and the most popular Outdoor MB behind Camping and Swimming.
- In 2021 RBFF (Recreation Boating & Fishing Foundation) reported that:
- Youth participation in fishing grew 53% to 13.5 million.
- Hispanic fishing was at an all-time high, increasing 13%. This group went fishing 25.8 times a year, which is 30% more than the average.
- Female fishing continues to grow in popularity, now representing 36% of total anglers for an all-time high.
- 88% of current fishing participants fished before age 12.
- Persons coming back to fishing (reactivation) is up 32%.
- BSA has trained more than 1,800 Certified Angling Instructors (CAI) to help councils, districts and units offer quality fishing programs to Scouts.
- Many councils have developed Council Fishing Committees which include several with CAIs to support the fishing efforts of the council. The number of council committees continues to grow.
- Several resources have been developed to help unit leaders with fishing programs in their unit. See the Cub Scout and Scouts BSA sections below for more information on those programs and to access the guides.
- Fishing can play an important role in recruiting Cub Scouts; surveys have indicated that fishing is a popular activity for younger youth and the BSA can help. See the information below for getting “Hooked on Scouting”
- Youth fishing was up 50% in 2021 so the evidence shows the interest in growing. Using fishing for recruiting makes a lot of sense.
- Local Council Certified Angling Instructors (CAI) provide manpower to expand fishing opportunities to support recruitment, diversity and utilization of Camp properties.
- CAI’s can train unit leaders to provide fishing outings, especially at the Cub Scout level.
- Developing Council Fishing Committees can help focus on quality in camp fishing during Day, Short-term or Long-term camps.
- Three progressive courses are now available for Scout Leaders: Fishing Basics, BSA Angling Educator, and BSA Certified Angling Instructor.
- Fishing is a wonderful lifetime sport, yet over 88% of anglers learned to fish before they were 12 years old. Our goal is to introduce Scouts to the sport before that time.
Quotes from Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting, about Fishing:
“Every Scout ought to be able to fish in order to get food for himself.”
“A fisherman does not bait his hook with food he
likes. He uses food the fish likes.”
“When you catch a fish do as I do – only keep those you specially want for food; put back the others the moment you have landed them.”
(Note: As a catch and release pioneer, in 2002, Baden Powell was inducted into the International Game and Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame.)
Cub Scout Fishing
Many councils have proven that Fishing can become the Gateway for entry, for both youth and families, by demonstrating and supporting the benefits of our Diverse Mission. Scout Life magazine surveys have indicated that 71% of Cub Scouts are interested in learning to Fish. Additional survey reports that Fishing was the number one activity for attracting Cub Scouts.
Check out this event to recruit youth into scouting using fishing as the “hook” – Click HERE for more information
This is hands on, group participation program which takes from an hour to an hour and a half to present.
Fishing Basics consists of a PowerPoint presentation and an Instructor’s Guide to teach fresh water fishing.
The Instructor’s Guide gives the leader a road map to present the course.
A materials list is included at the end of the Instructor’s Guide.
It is expected that the instructor will schedule a follow up fishing trip to a pond to allow the Scouts to apply what they have learned. FISH ON!
- Discover and learn about three types of fishes in your area. Draw a color picture of each fish, record what each one likes to eat, and describe what sort of habitat each likes. Click here for a few free coloring books.
- Learn about your local fishing regulations with your leader or a parent or guardian. List three of the regulations you learn about and one reason each regulation exists.
Click here for information: http://takemefishing.org/select-a-state/
- Learn about fishing equipment and make a simple fishing pole. Practice casting at a target.
- Go on a fishing adventure, and spend a minimum of one hour trying to catch a fish. Put into practice the things you have learned about fish and fishing equipment. The Places to Boat and Fish Map from Take Me Fishing™ can help you find places to boat and fish in your state, and what you might catch when you get there. This map and the TakeMeFishing.org website will help your unit and members know how and where to obtain licenses in your state if needed, and what amenities surround your selected body of water.
Scouts BSA Fishing
Interested in a fishing program for your troop? check out – Catch Me if You Can – the BSA program Feature for Scouts BSA troops. (NOTE: Clicking the link will open in a new page)
This is hands on, group participation program which takes from an hour to an hour and a half to present.
Fishing Basics consists of a presentation and a Instructor’s Guide to teach fresh water fishing.
The Instructor’s Guide gives the leader a road map to present the course.
A materials list is included at the end of the Instructor’s Guide.
It is expected that the instructor will schedule a follow up fishing trip to a pond to allow the Scouts to apply what they have learned. FISH ON!
Merit Badge Counselor Resources
BSA Beginner’s Fly Tying Handbook
BSA Fly Tying Handbook, Third Edition 220208
BSA Fishing Knots Handbook 220427
Fish-and-Wildlife-Management-MB-Counselor-Guide
Fishing Merit Badge Counselor Guide
Fishing Merit Badge Presentation (PDF)
Complete Angler Recognition 
The Complete Angler recognition was established to honor well-rounded youth anglers. Scouts who have earned the Fishing, Fly-Fishing, and Fish and Wildlife Management merit badges can earn the award.
Earning the BSA Complete Angler Award could help you expand your fishing knowledge and experiences. With the Complete Angler Award, you can become a mentor for younger Scouts, sharing your knowledge and helping others to enjoy a positive fishing experience.
To become eligible for the award, start by earning these three merit badges: Fishing, Fly-Fishing, and Fish and Wildlife Management. Then complete one or more of the following projects:
· Teach a Fishing or Fly Fishing merit badge skill to your troop, crew, or team as part of a unit program activity.
· Help instruct Cub Scouts on fishing skills or fishery management as part of a Cub Scout meeting or outing.
· Participate in a local fishing derby or tournament, either a Scouting or community event.
· Complete a conservation project that will benefit a local fishery.
For additional information, click here: http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/04/03/complete-angler-and-certified-angling-instructor/
High Adventure Fishing
Going to a High Adventure base and looking for a fishing adventure? Visit this link for a PowerPoint Presentation about fishing and High Adventure – High Adventure Fishing and Fly Fishing
Visit this link for the requirements for the Venturing Ranger Award which has a Fishing option.
Council Fishing Resources
- Fish Habitat Designs – Click this link for information about Spider Block Fish Attractors/Habitats – For building instructions Click Spider Block Building Instructions.
- Design Plans for Blue Gill Ponds – Click this link for some illustrations and recommendations for building a blue gill pond on your camp or property.
- Fishery Management- You can’t deliver a good fishing program without a good fishery – This PPT presentation was delivered at the 2021 National Outdoor Conference and highlights information about developing a great fishery at your camp property.
- Click this link for some guidance to offering a fishing event – Tips for Hosting a Fishing Event
- Click this link for some tips on setting up a trade show type booth for a council or district University of Scouting or other event – Tradeshow Tips for CAI
- Click the link for help in basic usage and maintenance of a Zebco 33 fishing reel.
Take Me Fishing’s Passport to Fishing & Boating Program Materials Available
Take Me Fishing™ has six hands-on stations to help teach youth the skills, techniques and information that novices need to begin boating and fishing in their communities through the Passport to Fishing & Boating program. Each station focuses on a key participation aspect and includes strong conservation messaging. Straightforward, effective, inexpensive and FUN, the Passport Program is designed to be:
1. Administered by expert or lay volunteers
2. Adjustable to highlight geography, activities and species unique to a particular area
3. Appealing to varying age and interest groups
4. Appropriate for mixed skill and education levels
5. Adaptable to diverse settings, whether landlocked or a the water’s edge
6. Accessible throughout the year
Learn more and request the materials here
Places to Go Boating and Fishing
The Places to Boat and Fish Map from Take Me Fishing™ can help you find places to boat and fish in your state, and what you might catch when you get there. This map and TakeMeFishing.org will help your unit and members know how and where to obtain licenses in your state if needed, and what amenities surround your selected body of water.
This feature has been provided through the Boy Scouts of America’s partnership with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation. To learn more about how you can add this free resource to your site please email Rachel Auslander
Leave No Trace
Discover how the principles of Leave No Trace apply to fishing! Click here for the official Leave No Trace resource.
Angling Educators and Certified Angling Instructors
Everything you need to know to take your Scouts Fishing!
The program is designed to give a student who has never fished the skills and knowledge, both practical and ethical, to go to a pond and be immediately successful.
Course information coming soon
Learn more about the BSA’s Certified Angling Instructor program,, which trains leaders to execute fishing programs at the local council level. After completing the training make sure to update your training record with PAS Code: CS61
Find the CAI brochure here: BSA Fishing CAI Trifold Brochure
The CAI Training courses are facilitated by a team of CAI Course Directors and their staff of Certified Angling Instructors. All instructors maintain a focus on providing enhancements to your fishing program and serving our Scouts.
