Youth Trout Fishing | Tips for Youth Fishing Success

10 Youth Trout Fishing Tips for More Success

YOUTH FISHING | TROUT FISHING

March 22, 2017 by Don Manning

It is almost here! spring, that is. It felt like forever to get to this point, but it is only a few short weeks away. With spring comes PA trout season. Now with multiple opening days, from mentored youth to regional openers, there are plenty of opportunities to catch spring trout in Pennsylvania. Youth trout fishing opportunities like the mentored youth trout fishing opening days are particularly helpful in increasing success and getting kids started in fishing.

If you have not already, now is the time to start planning your youth trout fishing outing with your son or daughter. Even the mentored youth opening days get crowded so you want to be prepared with a few spots to fish. Do not be that parent who waits until the last minute with no plans on where to go that are good fishing spots for kids or not having your youth fishing gear prepared.

Trout Fishing with Kids

Youth trout fishing is different than going with your buddies. It takes patience and being well prepared in order for kids to be successful and have an enjoyable time. Whether you will be participating in one of the mentored youth trout fishing days coming up on March 24 or April 7 of this year or not, there will certainly be times you and your kids will be on the water fishing this year. With not much happening right now, no major hunting seasons or other peak fishing times, now is when you should be thinking about how you can increase the success of your little anglers.

10 Youth Trout Fishing Tips

The first day of trout in PA is approaching fast. These annual fishing events marked by almost every angler in the state. The relatively new mentored youth opening days are specifically design for kids. These two youth trout fishing events, both regional and statewide, are ideal opportunities to take a kid fishing. Here are 10 tips for youth trout fishing success that can be deployed any day you plan to take a kid fishing.

1. Get your tackle, rods, reels, fishing line, hooks, split shot, and bait organized early. It is best to put all the tackle in a small tackle box or vest. This keeps all your youth fishing gear in one area, where it is easy to get too.
2. Take plenty of drinks and snacks. The last thing you want is a hungry or thirsty kid on the water.
3. Bring a small, pocket size first aid kit with you. You never know when you may need to patch up a small cut.
4. Make sure your kids have a hat and sunglasses. Yes, they do make nice fishing sunglasses for kids and they should have a pair.
5. Plan for short youth trout fishing trips. Fish until your kids are ready and not a moment more. They will let you know when they had enough and you should not push them.
6. Pack a camera and use it a lot!
7. The whole experience should be about fun. Focus on fun first and fishing second.
8. Dress appropriately. Just like running out of drinks and food, being cold or wet will make for a poor experience when youth trout fishing.
9. Go where there are fish. Set up your kids for success by making sure you are fishing in a good spot. Pre-scout areas that have been stocked with trout in order to set your kids up for success.
10. Leave your rod at home. It is about them, you will get your chances to fish later. 

Bonus Tip: Have your kids be involved in every aspect of the fishing experience. It is hard to have your kids be part of everything but it is important. Let them help select tackle, bait hooks and cast. All these activities are learning experiences and will make them a better angler in the future.

Top Places for Youth Trout Fishing in Pennsylvania

Start by trying one of the many kids only fishing areas. These fishing areas are for children 12 years old and younger and for those who have certain physical or mental impairments. A list of all these fishing hotspots for kids can be found here.

Our favorite places for youth trout fishing, specifically, include the following waterways:

• Clarks Creek (Dauphin County) - This creek has a children's only section as mentioned above but also boasts some impressive other areas to fish. This is a great stream to fish later in the year with older kids who can walk in to hotspots off the beaten path.
• Children's Lake in Boiling Springs (Cumberland County) - Boiling Springs Lake, as most know of it, has superior access for kids and even a kids only section where youth trout fishing anglers can land at least a few trout on any given spring day.
• Tobyhanna Creek (Monroe County) - With its own kids only section, this creek gets plenty of stocked trout that can be caught well into summer. This larger stream has plenty of slow pools where it is easier for kids to fish.
• North Park Lake (Allegheny County) - North Park Lake, which is outside of Pittsburgh, receives plenty of stocked trout for opening day. The recently rehabilitated lake offers renewed opportunities for some great early season trout fishing in Pennsylvania.

The key to youth trout fishing success is being prepared and remembering that it is about the kids, first and foremost. Gather your youth fishing gear now, plan your spots and take advantage of some great youth fishing opportunities coming up for trout in Pennsylvania.