- Division of Marine Fisheries
Our Saltwater Angler Education initiative works to promote responsible recreational saltwater fishing in coastal Massachusetts waters, specifically reaching out to those who are new to the sport. Major components include fishing clinics, training seminars and fishing festivals.
DMF hosts and partners with various organizations to offer beginner fishing clinics connecting many communities to resources in their own “backyard.” Saltwater angling clinics are free and open to the public, offering families and individuals the opportunity to try out the sport of saltwater fishing under the help and guidance of DMF staff and volunteers. Our mission is to teach basic angling skills in a fun and enthusiastic environment and to create future saltwater anglers. Each clinic offers knot tying, casting, proper fish handling and identification, and catch and release fishing. At the end of each clinic participants walk away with fun educational handouts, instructional guides, and more importantly the basic angling skills to successfully continue fishing on their own.
Over the course of the 2023 summer DMF offered various family fishing clinics highlighting some of the Boston Harbor Islands, fishing piers and access points along the coast of Massachusetts. DMF partnered with the Fall River Police Department in its first Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Clinic, and the Army Corp of Engineers for its Water and Boating Safety Day along the Cape Cod Canal. Each clinic offers DMF staff a means to connect and educate the public not only in the act of fishing, but the importance of fisheries management, regulations, and inform them of the many ongoing projects and programs the Division has to offer.
DMF offered a series of saltwater training seminars geared towards youth organizations and summer camps tailored to the needs of those participating. Seminars often covered setting up saltwater gear, knot tying, casting, and responsible angling. In the future after attending one of the training seminars those attending would be able to loan out gear and tackle in order to host their own youth saltwater fishing clinics.
For those who could not attend a clinic, the DMF website offers a comprehensive saltwater kids field guide that is available to download and a series of educational video tutorials covering saltwater angling basics. Those interested in learning more about the Saltwater Angler Education Program or to find a list of future saltwater fishing clinics, click here.
By Kim Trull, Saltwater Angler Education Program Coordinator
