Saltwater Angler Education Program

The Saltwater Angler Education Program was created to engage the public in saltwater fishing in Massachusetts. Our mission is to teach responsible fishing in an enthusiastic environment and create avid anglers.

Let’s Go Saltwater Fishing

These educational events are intended for families and beginners who are interested in learning how to saltwater fish.

The clinic will cover:

• Knot tying
• How to cast
• Fishing from a pier and from shore
• Measuring your catch and following regulations
• Responsible angler practices
• Catch and release fishing

and includes fun takeaways, handouts, coloring books, instructional field guides, and more!

Register for an upcoming fishing clinic

Our 2025 youth fishing clinic schedule will be posted below as events are organized. Continue checking back in! Registration links become active several weeks prior to the event under the "clinic" headline. As clinics reach capacity, you will be notified about waitlist status. 

Date	Time	Clinic	Location
June 7	9AM-1PM	Reel Fun- Learn to fish day!	Racepoint Beach, Provincetown, MA
June 14	10AM-4PM	Marine Quest	DMF Cat Cove Marine Laboratory, Salem, MA
June 21	10AM-12PM or  12PM - 2PM	Reel Fun Fishing Day at Nut Island	Nut Island Fishing Pier, Boston Harbor, MA
June 28	10AM-2PM	Cape Cod Canal Boating & Water Safety Day *Event Pending*	Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center, Sandwich, MA
July 17	4PM-6PM	Let's Go Saltwater Fishing (EVENT FULL)	Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
July 23	8:30AM - 10AM	Surfcasting at Gooseberry Island	Gooseberry Island, Westport, MA
July 24	2PM-4PM	Surfcasting Fishing Clinic at Salt Pond	Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham, MA
August 1	1PM-5PM	Fairhaven 2nd Annual Fishing Derby (Youth and Adult divisions) - Facebook Event Page	Hoppy's Landing (69 Goulart Memorial Drive, Fairhaven, MA)
August 5	4PM-6PM	Evening Family Fishing Clinic	Fort Tabor Pier, New Bedford, MA
August 9	10AM-1PM	Family Fishing Clinic	Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center, Sandwich, MA
August 14	4PM-6PM	Evening Family Fishing Clinic	Salem Willows Pier, Salem, MA
August 19	5PM-7PM	Cops and Bobbers with Somerset PD	Village Waterfront Park, Somerset, MA
August 20	8AM - 9:30AM	Surfcasting at Gooseberry Island	Gooseberry Island, Westport, MA
August 27	4PM-6PM	Evening Family Fishing Clinic with Cape Cod Salties	Smugglers Beach, Bass River Fishing Pier, South Yarmouth, MA
Sept 18	4PM-6PM	Cops and Bobbers with Fall River PD	Fall River, MA
Sept 20	10AM-2PM	Reel Fun Fishing Day at Deer Island	Deer Island Fishing Pier, Boston Harbor, MA
Sept 23	4PM-7PM	Adult Surfcasting Clinic	South Cape Beach State Park, Mashpee, MA
Sept 24	7:30AM - 9AM	Surfcasting at Gooseberry Island	Gooseberry Island, Westport, MA

Questions? Interested in learning more about having DMF help you plan a saltwater fishing clinic or activity? Contact Kim Fine at [e-mail] with the subject line "Saltwater Fishing Clinic Information".

Fishing seminars

We offer educational seminars geared towards adults who would like to learn more about saltwater fishing. If you're interested in hosting a seminar, please let us know so we can tailor a class to the needs of your group. Possible seminars include:

• Saltwater fishing 101:  The basics     
• Understanding fishing equipment for each species  
• Targeting saltwater species in Massachusetts and where to fish  
• How to filet and cook saltwater fish of Massachusetts

Other resources to learn to fish

Can't come to a fishing class? It's still easy to learn! All you need to get started is some simple gear and a little practice. Download our Saltwater Fishing Field Guide (also available in Spanish) and watch the partnering video tutorials to learn how to setup saltwater fishing gear, tie fishing knots, cast, and successfully catch and release your first fish! 

You need a license to fish in saltwater if you are 16 or older. Licenses are free for those age 60 or older. Get your license now.

Interested in freshwater fishing? Check out the Freshwater Fishing Education Program.

Angler education resources now available in Spanish

In 2024, the Saltwater Angler Education Program received funding from the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation to translate saltwater angler education materials into Spanish. Below you'll find translated digital versions of some of our clinic materials and our popular Saltwater Fishing Youth Field Guide. You can also visit our Gloucester and New Bedford office locations for a printed field guide in Spanish.