Ever wondered what the standard fishing etiquette is? Check out our top 10 rules to follow so that you don’t upset your fellow anglers.
Fishing is an excellent way for us to get away from our busy lives and to unwind on the lakes, rivers, and oceans. I love being able to disconnect from the world and get out into nature and let the stress just drain away.
Fishing is a time for sanctuary for many people, including myself, which is why I have made this article.
Here are ten rules of fishing etiquette that we should all follow when we are out chasing after our next big catch.
If we follow these simple steps, then we can ensure that our favorite sport is kept a fun, clean, safe, and peaceful one for good!
Fishing Etiquette – 10 Rules to Follow
Don’t get too close to the other anglers.
One of the more common reasons for people getting upset is another angler getting too close to them. It’s no secret that people like to have their own space, and in fishing, it’s no different.
Whether you are fishing in a lake, river, pond, or even the ocean, be sure to leave enough space for the other anglers and don’t get too close to them.
People often get protective over their spot and wouldn’t want you coming over and disturbing the are they have been fishing all afternoon.
If there isn’t much space where you are fishing, then show some courtesy and ask your fellow angler if they mind sharing some space with you. A little politeness goes a long way!
Keep the noise down
Do loud noises scare fish away? We have an article on the science behind this one. So is it a myth or not? Check out this article to learn more about this subject in depth.
Regardless of whether the fish will be spooked by you, causing a racket or not is irrelevant to the other anglers. Most fishermen are out on the water, trying to relax and enjoy some fishing in peace.
Try to keep your noise down to a minimum and enjoy the outdoors. It’s fine to talk to your buddies at a reasonable level but don’t take your speakers down to your local trout fishing river. You may not get the best welcome!
Watch your cast
This is a big one for the beginners out there. Casting is one of the most dangerous parts of fishing. You are essentially launching a sharp barbed hook flying through the air at high speeds.
There have been some horrific injuries reported over the years, none of them are worth googling, trust me!
Always be aware of what’s around you before you cast. The most important thing to remember is what is behind you.
A lot of the time, beginners can lose their spacial awareness and forget just how far back the line and hook will go during a cast.
The second thing to consider with your cast is where the other anglers’ lines are in the water. Don’t be that guy who casts over another fishermen’s line and ends up getting their line tangled. It’s a headache that nobody needs.
Try to cast directly in front of you if you are in a packed area and be mindful of other people’s lines. If the lake is empty, then feel free to go crazy, just watch out for those reeds!
If you’re a budding fly fisherman then check out our article here. You’ll find some great hints and tips to help you on your way.
Don’t over bait
One thing that I often see is fishermen throw way to way much bait in a specific area as feed. This is a common practice in fishing that many people employ to try and get more fish over to their area of the lake.
This is much more common in lakes and ponds as the water is usually much more still. Feeding an area will lead to more fish coming over and subsequently increase the chances of a bite on your bait.
This is fine, but don’t overdo it. People often throw in way too much feed and it is essentially a form of littering.
There’s no need to throw in 1kg of some fish feed mix all at once time. You’re more likely to poison the fish than catch them.
There is a delicate skill in fishing, and this is one of those areas where this applies. Choose your spot wisely, throw your bait, and throw your feed in with some strategy.
Have a license
Okay, so this one may seem common sense, but I have met so many people who have been caught out by not having a fishing license.
One of my fishing buddies got caught and subsequently banned from his favorite lake recently because he simply forgot to renew his license.
Don’t be that guy!
The payment for your license goes towards the maintenance of the lakes and rivers that you are fishing in and helps to keep the area clean and safe for everyone.
Mind your wake (boat owners)
This one only applies to those of you who are fortunate enough to own your own fishing boat. In fact, this one goes out to those who aren’t even in fishing boats but happen to go by anglers on their way.
When you get to an area where there are people fishing, be sure to slow down and show some courtesy.
As mentioned many times in this blog post, fishing is a delicate skill, and it often requires sitting quietly next to a body of water for hours on end, waiting for that one moment to strike.
If a big boat comes along and leaves a big wake, it’s sure to ruffle up a few feathers.
For boat owners who love to do some offshore fishing, check out our review of the best offshore fish finders on the market.
Be aware of other fishermen
I think that this is the main point that all the rest boil down to. Be mindful of those around you, and have some common courtesy for them.
Heck, maybe even go and start some friendly chatter and share some fishing tips. You never know, you may meet a local fishing celebrity.
It all depends on what type of fishing you’re doing, but it’s usually best to be aware of the other angler’s fishing pots. Don’t encroach on somebody who has been sat in the same spot for hours, that’s just annoying.
Catch and release/or keep
Make sure you are aware of the laws of the area where you are fishing. If you are catching what you keep, then make sure you have the correct license an make sure that the fish is of the correct size.
Most states will have a minimum size limit and usually a daily catch limit too. There are possession limits too in some states, so if you have some fish at home, then be aware of how many more you can catch and keep on your next trip.
I personally prefer to catch and release at all times, but it’s totally based on personal preference.
I wrote an article on the matter here, which gives an interesting opinion on whether we should always catch and release or not.
Use the correct equipment
It’s good to make sure that you have all the correct gear with you so you can deal with any situations that present themselves.
Fishing can be unpredictable at times, so it’s far better to have too much gear than to be underequipped.
Let’s say your fish swallows the hook, you should be prepared to deal with that situation properly. You may seriously harm or kill the fish unnecessarily just because you were underprepared.
Make sure you get yourself a real good fishing backpack and pack it with all the things you will need throughout your day. You’ll thank me later.
I’ve seen some people lose some monsters because they had crappy landing nets, and I’ve seen guys use hooks with absolutely huge barbs that are just not needed.
If you’re thinking about trying out fly fishing, then you can check out my guide here on how to fully kit yourself out with everything you need for your next trip.
Pick up your trash
Have you ever arrived at your fishing spot only to find some garbage lying about from the people who were last there? Bags of chips, beer cans, cigarettes, and leftover bait hanging around are seen lying around far too often.
We love fishing for the beauty of the sport. Being out in nature with your rod, reel, and the dream of catching a monster, it doesn’t get better than that.
So when you’re done with your day, make sure you take your things with you and keep it as beautiful as when you first found it.
Wrap Up
So there you have it. Most of that is common sense, I know, but it doesn’t hurt to give out a friendly reminder every once in a while.
Fishing is growing in popularity year on year, and that is a great thing.
The more people that take part in this beautiful pastime, the better – make sure you have courtesy for the other anglers, keep the place clean and follow the rules of the area you are visiting, and most importantly, catch that next big monster!
Thanks for reading.