Organization · Skills & Sport
Take Me Fishing / RBFF
Take Me Fishing, run by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, connects families to free fishing events, local instruction, and First Catch Centers so that landing your first fish is a matter of when, not if. The program removes the usual barriers of gear, licenses, and know-how, making it one of the most practical on-ramps to the outdoors available to American families today.
This page on Outside, the family adventure app, profiles Take Me Fishing and its parent organization the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF). It covers the organization's core programs including First Catch Centers, free fishing days, and online trip-planning tools, and explains how families with children ages 4-14 can get involved through local events, skill-building clinics, and volunteer opportunities. Key facts include that free fishing days vary by state and typically waive fishing license requirements for a set period, and that First Catch Centers are staffed, gear-equipped locations designed specifically for beginner anglers. The page is intended to help parents plan a first or early fishing experience with their kids.
| Cost | Free to use; some local events may charge small fees |
|---|---|
| Region | All 50 states |
| Season | Year-round; free fishing days vary by state |
| Best ages | 4 to 14, with resources scaling across that range |
| Entry point | takemefishing.org |
What Take Me Fishing actually is
Take Me Fishing is the public-facing campaign of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a nonprofit chartered by Congress to get more Americans onto the water. The campaign runs the website takemefishing.org, which serves as a clearinghouse for fishing and boating resources across all fifty states. Beyond the website, RBFF works with state fish and wildlife agencies, retailers, and local fishing clubs to fund and promote beginner programs. The organization does not sell gear or licenses. Its job is to lower the distance between a family sitting at home and a family standing at the water's edge with a rod in hand.
First Catch Centers: the clearest starting point
First Catch Centers are staffed fishing locations set up specifically for people who have never fished before. They provide rods, reels, bait, and basic instruction at no cost, so a family can show up with nothing and still catch fish the same afternoon. Centers are typically located at community ponds, urban parks, and nature centers, and are run in partnership with local fishing clubs and state agencies. Staff and volunteers walk beginners through casting, baiting a hook, and handling a catch. The Take Me Fishing website maintains a searchable map so families can find the nearest center by zip code. For a first outing with young children, a First Catch Center is often the most confidence-building option available.
Free fishing days and what they mean for your family
Every state in the country designates at least one free fishing day per year, and many states offer several. On these days, residents and visitors can fish without purchasing a fishing license, which removes one of the most common reasons families put off a first trip. Free fishing days are set by each state's fish and wildlife agency, and the dates vary widely, so checking your state's schedule in advance is worth doing. The Take Me Fishing website lists free fishing day dates by state and often links directly to the relevant state agency page. Many free fishing days coincide with community events, clinics, or stocked ponds, making them a natural occasion for a family outing.
How families actually get involved
Families can engage with Take Me Fishing at whatever level fits their schedule. The simplest entry point is the takemefishing.org website, which includes a trip planner, species identification guides, state regulation summaries, and instructional videos covering basic knots, casting techniques, and fish handling. Families who want more structured learning can search for clinics and events hosted by local fishing clubs, many of which partner with RBFF and offer free or low-cost instruction. Parents with older kids, roughly ten and up, can look into volunteer opportunities at First Catch Centers, where young anglers who have gotten comfortable with the basics can help introduce the sport to other beginners. There is no membership required to use any of these resources.
Who fits this program best
Take Me Fishing is built for families starting from zero. It is particularly well-suited to families in or near cities, where access to fishing can feel uncertain, and to parents who did not grow up fishing and are figuring it out alongside their kids. The resources scale well for children from about age four through early adolescence. Younger kids benefit most from First Catch Centers and stocked community ponds where action is quick. Older kids and teens tend to get more from the technique-focused videos and species guides, which can support an ongoing interest beyond the first outing. Families who already fish regularly will find the site useful mainly for trip planning and regulation lookup, but the beginner programs are designed for those who are just finding their footing.
Planning your first trip with these tools
A practical first step is visiting takemefishing.org and entering your zip code into the location finder. The site will return nearby fishing spots, often with notes on what species are present and what access looks like. Cross-referencing that with your state's free fishing day calendar can help you pick a date that works in your favor. If a First Catch Center is within reasonable driving distance, that is worth prioritizing for a first outing with young children. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and an extra layer, and plan for at least two hours so nobody feels rushed. The fish may or may not cooperate on a given day, but the setup Take Me Fishing provides makes a successful first experience more likely than going it alone.
Describe the first time you held a fishing rod, or imagine what it would feel like to pull a fish out of the water for the first time. What would you want to remember about that moment ten years from now?
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a fishing license to use a First Catch Center?
License requirements at First Catch Centers vary by state and by the specific event format. Many First Catch Center events are structured to operate under a license exemption, but you should confirm with the individual center or check your state fish and wildlife agency's rules before you go. The Take Me Fishing website often notes license requirements for listed events.
Does Take Me Fishing provide gear, or do we need to bring our own?
First Catch Centers provide rods, reels, and bait at no cost. General fishing spots listed on the Take Me Fishing website do not include gear. If you are visiting a standard fishing location rather than a First Catch Center, you will need to bring or borrow your own equipment.
How do we find free fishing days in our state?
The Take Me Fishing website at takemefishing.org maintains a state-by-state list of free fishing days, usually with a direct link to the relevant state fish and wildlife agency for confirmation. Dates change annually, so checking closer to your planned trip is a good habit.
Is Take Me Fishing only for kids, or is it useful for adults too?
The programs are designed to be genuinely useful for beginners of any age. Parents who have never fished will find the instructional videos, trip planner, and regulation summaries just as practical as their kids will. The family framing of the program simply reflects that learning alongside your children is a common and welcome reason people get started.