Activities/Crafts
A New Spin on Fill-in-the-Blanks
Use the American Sign Language alphabet (provided) to complete the activity and see what you know about spinfishing.
Casting Cans
How to prepare a soda can for casting.
First Fish certificate
Celebrate catching your first fish with this certificate!
Fish Dinner
Have fun finding the ingredients for a yummy fish dinner in this Word Search.
Fish Prints (video)
Learn the history of "Gyotaku", which is the traditional Japanese art method of printing fish. This video will also teach you how to make your own fish print on paper or on a t-shirt!
Fishing Trip Word Search
See if you can find the fishing-related words in this word search.
Floaters and Fishermen
Puzzle: information on the conflicts that can occur between floaters (canoes, kayaks, tubers) and anglers and how to minimize these conflicts. Puzzle answer
Knotes on Knots (en Espanol)
How to tie fishing knots such as blood knot, improved clinch knot and more.
Practice Makes Perfect
Learn how to make your own practice plugs for safe, outdoor casting.
Wacky Wader Safety Word Scramble
Activity that teaches anglers how to be safe on and near the water.
"How to Draw a (Fish)" video series:
How to Draw a... Brook Trout
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Let’s learn How to Draw a Brook Trout with the help of one of PFBC’s Fishing Skills Instructors, Tiffany London.
How to Draw a… Channel Catfish
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Next to the Flathead Catfish, the Channel Catfish is one of PA’s largest Catfish. They can weigh up to 15lbs and measure 30 inches long. They are found statewide, usually in clear, warm lakes, and large rivers, over clean sand, gravel, or rock bottoms. Usually anglers find them in deep pools/runs in the rivers. In the summer, they are lots of fun to catch at night!
How to Draw a… Crappie
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At first glance, Crappie appear to be black and white; but look closer and you will see iridescent colors and sheens. Have fun adding colors to your drawing!
Another popular PA sportfish, Crappie, provide fun fishing opportunities throughout the year. Fall is yet another great time to target Crappie. They live in most lakes/ponds across PA.
How to Draw a... Largemouth Bass
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Known as “Bucketmouth”, Largemouth Bass are a popular PA sportfish found in most ponds/lakes. They are PA’s largest Sunfish. Staying close to logs, stumps, and weedy areas of the lake, they like to ambush prey. They are lots of fun to catch throughout the summer!
How to Draw a… Musky
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Musky are PA’s largest & fastest-growing fish. They are missile-shaped and have a ducklike snout filled with sharp teeth. Musky color and markings vary in intensity. They are an apex predator and anglers love fishing for them.
How to Draw a... Pumpkinseed
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Displaying colors as vibrant as some tropical fish, Pumpkinseeds have bright turquoise colors on their head and body. Their belly can be yellow or sometimes orange in color. Warm, sunny days in May are a great time to head to local lakes and learn how to fish! Pumpkinseeds are lots of fun to catch and easier to catch than most fish! They provide multiple opportunities for new anglers to learn how to hook, reel in and release fish for the first time.
How to Draw a... Smallmouth Bass
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Known as “Bronzeback” by some anglers, Smallmouth Bass, are a popular sportfish across PA. The scales on their body cast a bronze colored sheen. They have a series of 8-15 olive colored, vertical lines on their sides. Their eyes can be orange to red in color.
How to Draw a… Steelhead
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Known by some as "Silver Shadows" or "Chromers", Steelhead are lake run Rainbow Trout. Once they hatch, they travel down streams to Lake Erie. There, they grow for a few years and then return to the streams to spawn. Steelhead have a pink strip down their sides, like Rainbow Trout; however, they usually appear more silver in color. They grow to an average size of 6-8lbs and can live for up to 8 years. Steelhead are one of PA's popular fish with anglers. In PA, the best time to fish for Steelhead is from early November through early April.
PLAY Newsletters
“Fishing is Reel Fun” booklet
This 18-page activity booklet is full of fishing and boating information to help anglers and boaters of all ability levels enjoy safe, fun, and year-round outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania. Enjoy!
"My Adventures" write-your-own story booklet
With this 12-page activity booklet you can write-your-own adventure about a trip on or near a PA waterway (e.g. stream, river, pond, lake). You can also share something you learn, share how you would teach someone else about what you learned, and share a memory that you will keep with you as you grow. Begin your story today!
PLAY: Be OPEN to Something New
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Open-faced Spinning Gear; Spincasting; Lures for Open-faced Spinning Gear; and A New Spin on Fill-in-the-Blanks (activity).
PLAY: Fish For Dinner
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Fish for Dinner; Care of the Catch: Getting Fish Home; Care of the Catch: Dressing a Fish; Care of the Catch: Filleting; Fish Recipe: Bluegill Fillets; Fish Recipe: Whole Trout; Fish Dinner Word Search.
PLAY: Ice Fishing- A Winter Adventure for Everyone!
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Ice Fishing Vocabulary; Getting Started- Join the Community; Ice Fishing Equipment; Creature Comforts; Ice Fishing Safety; and Ice Fishing Word Search.
PLAY: Summertime Fishing
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Summertime Fishing: Location; Fishing Gear; Rules; Proper Clothing; Fun Fishing Word Search.
PLAY: The Lure of PA’s Silver Shadows
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Silver Shadows; Profiling Erie’s “Silver Bullet”; Stream Manners; Equipment used to target Steelhead; Catching Lake Erie Steelhead; Fighting and Releasing Steelhead; Steelhead Alley (word search).
PLAY: Trout Training
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Trout Training; Finding Trout waters; Know Your Tr-“outfit”; Casting Practice; Trout Training-Rig It Right (cut and match game); Trout Tactics – On the Fly; Trout Tactics – Without a Spin.
PLAY: Where Do They Go In Winter?
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Where Do They Go In Winter; Finding Fish Under the Frozen Water; A Warm Place for Winter; Living in Cold Water; Frozen Alive; and A-Mazing Winter Survival (maze game).
Videos
Playlists
The following two links are playlists that will take you through all of PFBC’s videos related to fishing in PA OR you can go through them individually by clicking links below.
PFBC Virtual Family Fishing Program
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If you have always wanted to attend a PFBC Family Fishing Program (FFP) but have not yet had the opportunity to do so, the agency's Education staff have developed a Virtual FFP (VFFP) just for you!
Whether new to fishing, returning to fishing, or introducing someone to the sport of fishing, these videos- and the (in-person) Family Fishing Program, itself- will get you started in the right direction. Our virtual FFP videos provide a variety of educational "stations" that introduce you to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the FFP program, Casting, Knot-Tying, All About Fish, How to be a SMART Angler, How to Rig and Bait a Rod for Fishing, and the Rules and Regulations you need to know before you go fishing. Each virtual "station" is also broken into short video clips and provided to you in a series-format on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page, so that you can watch only the videos that you wish, and in the order that you wish.
PFBC’s in-person Family Fishing Programs are for families with little or no fishing experience. Participants learn basic fishing skills and practice those skills while fishing during the program. The program is open to all ages, including children ages 5 and older. The program is free, and all equipment and bait is provided. NOTE: the fishing license requirement is waived during the program for participants age 16 and older.
We look forward to helping you begin this exciting new journey and hope to see you on the water soon!
Casting Station
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Welcome to the Introduction to Casting "Station" video brought to you by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. In this video, we will introduce you to Cody Whipple, the NC Regional Education Specialist, who will provide information on two common rod and reel combinations that can be used to have an enjoyable experience out on the water. He will explain the components of each setup, proper hand placement, two methods for casting, troubleshooting casting errors, and a fun way to practice casting at home. This station is just one of a series of stations that can be found when you attend a Family Fishing Program (FFP).
Intro to Bass Fishing
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In this video, PFBC Fishing Skills Instructors, Don & Renee Kelly, introduce you to some basics on where to fish for Bass, essential fishing equipment, how to setup your rod and reel, and some great tackle and techniques to use for Bass.
Intro to Crappie Fishing
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Late May through early June can be a very productive time to catch Crappies! They are fun to catch and can be found within casting distance of the shoreline this time of year. Check out this Intro to Crappie Fishing video, created by PFBC Fishing Skills Instructors, Don and Renee Kelly (owners of Wellsboro Tackle Shack)!
Intro to Ice Fishing Series
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In this playlist you will learn about ice safety and the safety equipment you should bring with you prior to heading out onto the ice. The playlist also includes an introduction to basic and advanced ice fishing equipment, how to set-up an ice hub, fishing techniques, how to find fish, rules and regulations, and finally the additional amenities you can bring along to ensure you have a memorable experience while ice fishing.
Intro to Panfish Fishing
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Late May & throughout summer is a great time to get out and fish for Panfish! They are fun to catch and quick to take your bait on warm days. Check out this Intro to Panfish Fishing video, created by PFBC Fishing Skills Instructor, Kelly Williams!
Knots “Station”
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Welcome to the Knots “Station”, brought to you by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission! In this video, Northeast Region Outreach and Education Coordinator, Walt Dietz, provides the knot-tying station of our Virtual Family Fishing Program. This video provides an introduction to knots, parts of a hook, and how to tie an improved clinch knot.
