Let's Go Fishing!

Click on a topic:

• FIND A CLASS - click here for current class schedule
• What is the Let's Go Fishing program?
• Become a volunteer instructor
• Upcoming Let's Go Fishing instructor training and opportunities
• Volunteer Instructor LGF Timesheet

Let's Go Fishing classes are a great way to learn how to fish or develop your fishing skills. Courses are offered throughout the state by trained volunteer instructors who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to help the beginning angler get started. Courses are free. All ages are welcome, unless otherwise noted. Most courses are offered during the spring and summer months, plus ice-fishing courses in January and February.

Classes for adults and children are designed to teach families basic ecological concepts, fishing skills and new ways to enjoy the outdoors together. Courses cover basic techniques for year-round fishing in ponds, lakes, streams and the ocean. A typical course offers six hours of hands-on instruction, plus a field trip. Children, ages eight and up, as well as adults, are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult.

In addition to beginning classes, Let's Go Fishing also offers specialty classes to help participants develop skills in fly fishing, saltwater fly fishing, brood stock salmon angling, ice fishing and more. These may be one-day clinics or weekend workshops.

Click here for a current class schedule.

Here's what you'll learn in a basic Let's Go Fishing Class:

Goals of the Let's Go Fishing Program:

• Promote wise use of New Hampshire's aquatic resources through responsible and ethical outdoor behavior.
• Teach proper skills and inform the public about rules and regulations to ensure a future for the sport of fishing.
• Provide the information and instruction necessary for the public to participate in fishing ... a healthy outdoor recreational activity for all ages.

School Programs: Trained Let's Go Fishing volunteers also teach basic fishing skills to New Hampshire schoolchildren, from elementary through high school. Providing an introduction to fishing can be a great way to encourage kids to kids to get off the couch and involved with the natural world and active outdoor interests.

The Let's Go Fishing program is part of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Aquatic Resources Education Program. For more information, call (603) 271-3212 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or email aquatic-ed@wildlife.nh.gov.

Share Your Love of Fishing With Others -- Become a Volunteer
Let's Go Fishing volunteers are anglers skilled in basic fishing techniques who are ethical, responsible outdoorsmen and women. They must be commited to passing on their knowledge and following the policies and procedures outlined by the Fish and Game Department. Volunteers can sign up to teach a whole class or just parts of one. Work by yourself or with another instructor. Instructor training in educational techniques and course aids is provided by the N.H. Fish and Game Department. Volunteer instructors must be at least 18 years of age.

The Let's Go Fishing Program is accepting volunteer instructor applications on a year round basis. All accepted applications will be notified of upcoming trainings when they are scheduled.  Please be sure to indicate on your application all elements of the program you would like to be trained in. (Ex. basic, fly fishing, ice fishing, saltwater fishing and/or fly fly tying.  For more information about becoming a Let's Go Fishing volunteer instructor, call the N.H. Fish and Game Department's Aquatic Resources Education Program at (603) 271-3212, or email aquatic-ed@wildlife.nh.gov.  CLICK HERE for a Let's Go Fishing volunteer instructor application.

Upcoming "Let's Go Fishing" Instructor Trainings and Opportunities

Individuals being certified will have to attend two one day trainings (part 1 and part 2).  Every new instructor must attend one of the Part 1 trainings and one of the Part 2 trainings.  Instructors will eventually need to attend a separate training for each program (basic, ice & fly fishing & fly tying) they want to teach. 

Part 1 trainings will cover the ins and outs of the Fish and Game Department and Let’s Go Fishing program’s, policy and procedures and CPR training.  Part 2 trainings will focus on a specific program. It will be a hands on experience where prospective instructors will be put through an abbreviated “real life” LGF course.  Some of the topics covered in these trainings include ethics, winter pond ecology, rules and regulations, an overview of equipment and safety. 

This program receives Federal financial assistance from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Under Title VI of the civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education amendments of 1972, the US Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibit discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, age or sex (in educational programs).  If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional information please write to:

The US Fish and Wildlife Service

Office for Diversity and Civil Rights Programs - External Affairs

4041 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 130

Arlington, VA 22203

<Return to top>

<Return to main fishing page>

	*To view this or any PDF document, you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your computer. To download the latest version of Acrobat Reader, click here to go to the Adobe web site.