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 2026 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
May 19	1PM-3PM	Duxbury Senior Center (private event)	Powder Point Bridge, Duxbury, MA
May 21	12PM-2PM	Homeschool Group (private event)	Fort Taber, New Bedford, MA
June 6	9AM-11AM or 11AM-1PM	Family Fishing Day at Race Point, Provincetown (Registration link)	Province Lands Visitor Center, Provincetown, MA
June 10	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing	Besse Park, Wareham, MA
Jun 13	10AM-2PM	Reel Fun Fishing Festival	Nut Island, Quincy, MA
June 19	12PM-3PM	Fairhaven Fishing Derby (Registration link)	Hoppy's Landing - 55 Gloulart Memorial Drive, Fairhaven, MA
June 23	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing	Cashman Park, Newburyport, MA
June 25	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing	Fort Taber, New Bedford, MA
July 20	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing	Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
July 22	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing with the Cape Cod Salties and Riverview Bait and Tackle	Bass River, Yarmouth, MA
Aug 6	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing	Salem Willows, Salem, MA
Aug 20	4PM-6PM	Take Me Saltwater Fishing	Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center, Sandwich, MA
Aug 25	5PM-7PM	Cops and Bobbers with the Somerset Police Department	Village Waterfront Park, Somerset, MA
Sept 22	4PM-6PM	Cops and Bobbers with the Fall River Police Department	Bicentennial Park, Fall River, MA
Sept 26	10AM-2PM	Reel Fun Fishing Festival	Deer Island, Boston, MA
Oct 1	4PM-6PM	Adult Surfcasting Clinic	South Cape Beach, Mashpee, 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. You can also pick up a printed copy of our popular Saltwater Fishing Youth Field Guide in Spanish at our Gloucester and New Bedford office locations and at any of our upcoming angler education clinics.

Last updated:	September 24, 2025