The IGFA's Intro to Fishing Course: Educating and Inspiring the Next Generation of Ethical Anglers
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has long been a global leader in promoting ethical angling practices, game fish conservation, and angler education. One of our most accessible resources is the Intro to Fishing course, an online educational program designed to introduce young and novice anglers to the fundamentals of recreational fishing. This engaging and interactive course is accessible to anyone with an internet connection and equips participants with basic skills, fostering a deep appreciation for the sport.
What is the IGFA Intro to Fishing Course?
The Intro to Fishing course is a structured educational program developed by the IGFA to provide a comprehensive introduction to fishing in an online setting. Targeted at youth, families, and beginner anglers, the course covers various aspects of fishing, including:
- The Fish: Understanding what a fish is and how to identify various game fish
- The Habitat: Knowing where fish live and different aquatic environments
- The Basics: Learning various fishing techniques from basic tackle to casting methods
- The Ethical Angler: Emphasizing responsible fishing practices, catch-and-release techniques, and habitat protection
- The IGFA: Introducing students to the IGFA and the great work we do across the organization
An Immersive Online Learning Experience
The IGFA’s Intro to Fishing course launched in 2019 as a means to offer a comprehensive curriculum covering angling basics and safety, aquatic and marine biology, fish identification, environmental stewardship and more to audiences around the world. Packed with educational presentations, how-to videos, and interactive quizzes, the course allows anglers to follow along at their own pace. The goal behind this online resource was to provide young and/or novice anglers with a strong foundation of angling knowledge in a comfortable, virtual setting that would give them the confidence to get out and go fishing responsibly and ethically, and so far, it has accomplished that and much more!
Impacting Anglers Around the World
To date, nearly 1,200 students have completed the course, ranging from IGFA smallfry anglers aged up to 10 years old to experienced adult anglers. Most students are from North America, specifically from 43 states across the USA, but students from 35 different countries on six continents have completed it as well. While most students who have completed the course have caught a fish before, nearly 15% of students have recorded that they have never caught a fish before taking the course, but it has helped inspire these students to get outside and go fishing. “Being new to fishing, it sparked my interest to start to fish the most I can,” said Landon M., an IGFA Junior angler aged 11-16 years old from Hawaii, USA, who finished the course in 2022. “I loved the course, and it inspired me to get out there and give fishing a try. I even got my wife involved,” said Lola T. from Alabama, USA, then a “beginner” angler in 2023 who had not caught a fish before taking the course.
Many schools from primary to college have utilized IGFA’s Intro to Fishing online resource as part of their course curriculum as well. Evan F., a college student from Kentucky, U.S. back in 2020 when he completed the course, recently had this to say in a post-student survey asking how the Intro to Fishing course has impacted their angling career since taking the course, “I took this class in correspondence with a freshwater fishing class in college. It has helped me have a better understanding and what to do when fishing and given me practices I still use to this day.” “I just finished the Intro to Fishing Course with one of my students. He is 6 years old and very excited about having his certificate. He really enjoyed the course. Thanks so much for providing it for everyone for free. What a wonderful contribution to society!” added Gina M., a teacher from Bali, Indonesia. Just how big of an impact does this class play? Below is a comparison of attendees confidence in fishing knowledge before and after taking the class.
Expanding Access to Fishing Education
The IGFA has made significant strides in developing online resources and keeping them accessible to communities worldwide. Currently, we are working on translating the Intro to Fishing course to Spanish to reach more anglers, and we are working on building a Fly Fishing Basics course to introduce anglers to the sport of fly fishing, which continues to be the number one requested topic of what to learn next in surveys provided by Intro to Fishing students. We built a Virtual Field Trip series called Fishing Florida during the pandemic when in-person education was limited. This is a mini-series to touch on the plethora of angling topics requested by students to learn more, and we are building on that series to provide a Fishing the United States version through our travels with the National Park Service under a grant provided by the National Park Foundation as well as an online training resource to be housed on the National Park Service website. Lastly, bringing back the IGFA’s School of Sportfishing in an online setting is also on the horizon to appeal to adult anglers and advanced techniques. There is a lot more to come and the possibilities are endless!
Why the Intro to Fishing Course Matters
Fishing is more than just a recreational activity—it is a gateway to outdoor adventure, a tool for environmental education, and a means of fostering lifelong appreciation for game fish and their habitats. It is also a means for the IGFA Education Department to continue expanding our reach and utilize our network of supporters. A core mission of the IGFA is to instill responsible, ethical angling practices in anglers of any age, so we will continue to work hard building resources to help spread our mission. The Intro to Fishing course highlights the importance of responsible fishing practices, including proper fish handling, respecting fishing regulations, and understanding the impact of pollution on marine life. By integrating these principles into the curriculum, the IGFA ensures that new generations of anglers are well-equipped to be stewards of the environment for many years to come.
Whether you are a parent looking to introduce your child to fishing, an educator seeking engaging environmental programs, or an individual eager to learn more, the IGFA’s Intro to Fishing course is the perfect addition to your angling journey.
For more information about the Intro to Fishing course and how to participate, visit https://igfa.org/learning-modules/.