Learn to Fish with Hook, Line and Sinker
We'll teach you casting and fishing basics, and can provide you with a rod and reel to use if you don't have your own. With step-by-step direction, you'll learn fishing basics like knot-tying, setting up your pole, casting, selecting and using bait, and removing fish from the hook.
The classes are offered free of charge, and participants under 17 do not need a fishing license.
Below are locations that may offer Hook, Line and Sinker classes. Please note, the links below are for each park's overall weekly program schedule, and Hook, Line and Sinker may not be offered at every location each week. To find upcoming dates and times, please call the location your are interested in. You can look up each of these parks on our Recreation Search website.
Looking for a family friendly place to fish and try out your new skills? Try our Family Friendly Fishing Waters!
Other Learn to Fish Opportunities
- Outdoor Skills Academy
The Outdoor Skills Academy classes and clinics provide a more in-depth skill development opportunity that are offered for a fee and require registration. Outdoor Skills Academy classes take place at our visitor centers at select parks and recreation areas around the state.
- More learning to fish information
New to fishing or interested in learning a new technique? We offer a variety of information, videos and other resources to help you get started.
Upcoming Fishing Events
- Mitchell State Park - Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Class), Jan. 23
This class will cover everything from how to set up equipment and how and where to fish to ice safety and rules and regulations. The main focus will be techniques for panfish, walleye and pike.
- Mitchell State Park - Advanced Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Clinic)
Learn to fish from the pros with this three-day class. Class topics will be very specific – each student will pick a topic of interest and will be assigned a pro fisherman.
- 2021 Winter Free Fishing Weekend
Residents and non-residents can fish for FREE!
- Mitchell State Park - Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Class), Feb. 20
This class will cover everything from how to set up equipment and how and where to fish to ice safety and rules and regulations. The main focus will be techniques for panfish, walleye and pike.
- Mitchell State Park - Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Class), March 6
This class will cover everything from how to set up equipment and how and where to fish to ice safety and rules and regulations. The main focus will be techniques for panfish, walleye and pike.
- Mitchell State Park - Steelhead Clinic
The Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staff will present various strategies and techniques for chasing Michigan’s “chrome torpedoes.”
- Mitchell State Park - Steelhead Seminar
The Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staff will present various strategies and techniques for chasing Michigan’s “chrome torpedoes.”
- Mitchell State Park - Walleye Clinic
This class will go through how Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staffers spend their day chasing trophy walleye.
- Mitchell State Park - Fly Fishing Clinic for Beginners
This class will cover the basics of fly fishing, including demonstrations and instruction for various fly casts and for fly selection based on target species.
- 2021 Summer Free Fishing Weekend
Residents and non-residents can fish for FREE!
