Learn to Fish
Updated June 3, 2026
Fishing Tips
A Guide to Fishing for the First Time
Learn to fish responsibly! Check out our guide for first-time fishers for a checklist for fresh water fishing, to learn how to set up a fishing rod and cast, and for an overview of safety basics.
Expert Tips to Hook the Perfect Fish
Looking for the best way to catch a catfish, land a lake trout, or snag a smallmouth? Whether you are a beginning angler wondering about walleye or teaching your kids to fish for crappie, here’s a roundup of some of our favorite fishing tips from the experts who raise them.
Ice Fishing TIps
Here’s how you can keep your gear clean, your catch safe, and your fishing holes healthy all winter long.
Five Ways to Protect Our Waters
We all have a role to play in protecting our aquatic wildlife and habitats. Here are five steps you can take to protect our waterways.
Where to Fish
Fishing is available at 376 national wildlife refuges, 21 national fish hatcheries, and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed lands and waters. Find one near you!
Purchase a Fishing License
Buying a fishing license is quick, easy and directly contributes toward conservation efforts. In most states, licenses can be purchased online, by phone or in person.