DNR Fishing Program Teaches Kids About Environment

The oft-quoted aphorism of "give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime" refers to self-sufficiency. That wisdom can be just as applicable to young people and giving them the tools to get through life.

In part, that's the goal of the Department of Natural Resources program "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" that aims to instill a love for fishing and a concern for the environment that will last a lifetime.

The program's summer clinics are introductory, five-day fishing programs for boys and girls, ages 8-15, in which DNR staff members teach three-hour daily classes in the morning (8 a.m. -11 a.m.) or afternoon (12-3 p.m.) at Chesterwood Park in Dundalk. Classes are also held in Washington County, in Howard County and in Bel Air. Registration information is available here.

“The kids have a blast,” said Mark Tacka, a DNR instructors who is pursuing a double major at Salisbury University in Marine Biology and Environmental Science.  "They learn how to fish, they make a whole lot of friends and they get to learn about the natural environment. Whether or not their parents know how to fish, we do, and we can pass that knowledge to the next generation.”

Participants learn about watersheds, fishing techniques, freshwater ecology and local environmental issues. The campers also learn basic water safety, angler ethics, knot tying, casting, catch-and-release, and fish identification. DNR provides the bait, rods and reels for the young campers.

“We catch a whole bunch of white perch, crooker, and sunnys,” said Tacka. "Yesterday, someone even caught a striped bass. We teach the kids catch-and-release fishing because of water quality issues. Sometimes, the crabbers that use the pier before us will leave their lines out for us and the kids get a chance to learn that technique as well.”

The "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" concept started in 1986 when a teenager from Florida wrote to the Future Fishermen Foundation explaining how he chose to go fishing and think through his problems instead of turning to drugs. He wanted other youth to have an alternative to drug use and his suggestion evolved into a national program that's now offered in 27 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and Puerto Rico.

“This is my first time at the camp,” said Thomas Yingling, a student at Holabird Middle School. “I have fished before but I have learned a lot more about how to fish. Yesterday, I caught a white perch it was really exciting.”

The Maryland program began in 1989 and is offered at Greenbrier State Park in Washington County, at the Patapsco Valley State Park in Howard County, and Harford Glenn in Bel Air, as well as the Chesterwood Park location.