Take you children fishing?

[Spinner]

I have been taking my 4 & 6 year olds fishing since they were in diapers. Mostly out on a nice day for panfish. My question to all of you out there is "How old should they be before I bring them out on Mille Lacs, Leech, etc.?"

Thanks for your input.

[THUMPER]

I took my kids out starting at about five. Just short duration trips when I knew we would get a little action. My oldest now is a die hard fisherman who fishes with dad on a regular basis. The youngest likes to fish but only when they are biting.

[REW]

It depends on the child.
Remember, don't do any thing for your children, that might bring them to harm, or in any way spoil them for some future endeavor that they really might enjoy.

I know of many children who hate fishing, simply they had a "dad" who insisted on taking them "fishing" for 8-12 hours at a time, when the fish weren't biting. They absolutely hated it and as soon as they got old enough to make their own decision, decided to never go fishing again.

So, as I said in the beginning, it depends on the child, the weather, and the fishing.

If you have decent weather, if the fish are biting, and if there are lots of active fish, to keep the children from getting bored, you can take them out at any time. I have been on all of these lakes and have seen children of every age from6 months old to 90 years of age.

I think that we are all a kid at heart!!

However, if I was going to use a general rule,I would think that somewhere around 5-7 would be a reasonable age, to take the kids out for a fairly long outing -- i.e. 4-6 hours that might be the case for any of the lakes listed above.

Before going, I would make sure that I had plenty of goodies in the boat -- i.e. food and snacks, drinks etc. in the boat. I would also make sure that if needed, they also had some other sort of distraction along, whether it was a cd player, a video game, some other board game, or a book or dolls, or trucks to play with if you had girls or boys. That way, if the child did get bored and wanted to leave, you could let them do something else to be entertained.

Bottom line,
Make the experience enjoyable for your child. If the experience stops being enjoyable for the child -- LEAVE. Don't forever spoil the child with a single bad experience by being intolerant of their feelings and desires. Make it a fun time, for the time span of each child, and they will for ever thank you, and continually ask to go again.

Take care

REW

[Northern Manitoban]

I've been taking my son and daughter since they were 3,My son caught 5 trophy Rainbows last summer he is now 7.I will take them ice fishing on a nice day and in the boat,they just love it,and my boy can stay out for hours and he still has a goodtime.This year i have to get my daughter to catch her first trophy.I bring treats for them in the boat and a few toys incase the action slows down,they have a blast,i even let my boy drive the electric motor.FISH ON.

[Northern Manitoban]

And don't forget your life jackets and WEAR them!

[Gonzo]

I've found my children love to bobber fish with leeches
on Millacs early in the year when the fish are still shallow.
You don't have to go far and the evening bite is usually
fantastic. My 3 year old daughter caught her first Walleye
on Millacs. Also that 10:00 O'clock curfew that time of year
makes sure the outing doesn't get too long for them.
Remember to bring plenty of leeches and don't plan on fishing
to much yourself, the kids will usually keep you pretty
busy, lol.

Good luck

Gonz

[FJH1]

I agree with REW. I started taking my oldest daughter (she is now 4) out fishing when she was 2. We'd go out for a short time when the fish were really active. Last year she brought in two 18" walleyes and loved it. I've found that I have to have things for her to do in the boat other than fishing. She brings along Barbie dolls and lets them "swim" in the livewell. Lots of snacks and drinks are a must. I even brought along a small "pop-up" self standing kids beach tent. If she gets tired we can set up the tent and she can crawl in and be out of the sun, or she can just play in the tent. And as already said, always, always, always have them wear a life vest.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Jim P]

I started my son at 3 years old from the bank and off docks. At 4 we began trolling for Northern Pike and pan fishing from the boat. The most important thing is to keep the trips short (an hour or two)and when the child wants to come in - come in. Keep plenty of snacks and pop on board. Don't forget to stop for breakfast at the local fisherman's hangout, get an ice cream cone on the way home and skip a few flat rocks on the lake. My son enjoyed all aspects of the trip from getting the gear ready and catching the bait, to loading the boat and cleaning the catch.

You are very fortunate to have two great fishing partners.

[cisco]

I took two of my grandkids (6 & 8) on a half day launch trip on Mille Lacs and they had a ball. They fished a good portion of the time, they had snacks, there is a head on board, they could watch and talk with other anglers, the captain was great with them and let them listen to the radio, and we caught fish. The size of the launch helps them adjust to big water after having fished only much smaller lakes, they could walk about, and they were able to snoop in the fish tank and the bait tank. It's an inexpensive outing and worth much more as an intro to big water.

I remember the first time I went out on a lake I could not see across -- it was unnerving, to say the least. We probably too often forget that when taking little ones fishing.

[Captian Krup]

Remember when you take them it's about them. Let them have fun. And you will make the best fishing PARTNERS in the world!!!!!

[fishn4fun]

I started taking my son on longer trips when he was 6. He loved it even when the fish weren't biting.He is now 9 and still talks about the day he caught the only fish all day and was the only kid in the boat. Now my 11 year old daughter has an attention span of about 15 minutes if their not biting so i don't plan long fishing trips with her if i want to serious fish.She is fine with that. We go boating a lot together.I guess my point is every kid is different. The main thing is they have fun.

[Hawgeye]

I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old. Been taking both boys since they were 3. The oldest so far has shown to have the most patience with staying fishing for long periods of time. Always have a few Cokes in the boat with snacks. Also, kids love minnows to play with more than anything. Let a few go in the live well and watch them chase after them with the dip net. My 4 year old will do it for hours! Especially when he has his toy boat to troll around in the live well with.

I also use the method of letting them run the trolling motors. They feel like they are responsible for fishing. You'd be amazed at how proud they are when they run the trolling motor and catch fish!!!