A campground is one of the easiest places to take a child fishing for the first time: the water is a short walk from your site, bait is sold at the store, and a bathroom and snacks are never far away. Keep the gear simple (a short rod, a bobber, small hooks and worms), start where the fish are easy to reach, and keep the first session short. At The Oaks, nobody needs a license: our fishing lake is private and surrounded by our land. On public water in Michigan, kids under 17 fish free, but an adult who’s actively helping them needs a license.
Here’s how to plan the trip, using The Oaks Campground near Jackson as the example, since its fishing lake and dock are where a lot of kids catch their first fish.
Why a campground is a good place for a first fishing trip
- Short walk, easy exit. If a five-year-old is done after 20 minutes, you’re back at the site in a few more.
- Bait on hand. At The Oaks, the camp store sells worms, bait and fishing gear. There are no loaner rods, so bring your own.
- Lots of other things to do. When the fish stop biting, there’s the beach, the playground or the free Kangaroo Jumper.
- Help nearby. Staff and long-time seasonal campers are usually happy to share what’s biting and where.
What to bring
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| A short, simple rod and reel (a push-button reel is easiest for small kids) | Short rods are easier to control on a crowded dock. |
| Bobbers, small hooks and a few split-shot sinkers | A bobber gives kids something to watch, and they can see the bite. |
| Worms | The easiest bait for panfish. Buy them at the store. |
| Needle-nose pliers or a hook remover | For quick, safe hook removal. |
| A small towel and wipes | For slimy hands after handling fish and bait. |
| A life jacket for non-swimmers | Docks are close to deep water. |
| Sunscreen, hats, water and snacks | A comfortable kid is a patient kid. |
| A phone or camera | You’ll want the picture. |
Where to start: the dock
For a first trip, fish from a dock if there is one. At The Oaks, our team’s advice is simple: go to the dock, because it’s “a pretty guaranteed way to catch fish.” It reaches out toward the middle of the fishing lake, where fish are close and kids don’t have to cast far. Bank fishing on the wooded back side of the lake is harder and better for experienced anglers.
The Oaks lake is stocked with bass, crappie, bluegill, carp and other fish, so a worm under a bobber usually draws a bite. Some fish there grow surprisingly big. One family sent us a picture this season of a dad holding a fish his son had caught, nearly as tall as the boy.
How to keep it fun
- Keep it short. Thirty minutes to an hour is plenty for young kids. Stop while they still want more.
- Let them do the fun parts. Kids can watch the bobber, reel in and hold the fish (with help). Adults can tie knots and untangle lines.
- Celebrate every fish. A small bluegill counts as much as a big bass on day one.
- Bring a backup activity. A bucket for looking at minnows, a snack break or a walk to watch for herons along the shore.
- Go when it’s comfortable. Mid-morning and late afternoon are pleasant and usually productive. At The Oaks, kids need to be back at the campsite by dusk.
Handling fish and letting them go
Most families release their fish, and it’s a good habit to teach early. Wet your hands before you touch a fish, keep it out of the water only long enough for a quick photo, and back the hook out with pliers. If a fish swallows the hook deeply, cut the line close to the mouth instead of pulling.
Keeping fish is allowed at The Oaks, but our team encourages catch and release so the large fish can be “put back and caught by some other kid who has an amazing experience catching it all over again.”
Safety around the water
- Put non-swimmers in a life jacket on the dock and along the shore.
- Teach kids to look behind them before they cast, and to keep hooks pointed away from people.
- Keep an adult within arm’s reach of small children near the water.
- Take hooks and loose line with you when you leave. Line left on the dock can catch birds, dogs and little feet.
Do kids need a fishing license in Michigan?
No. In Michigan, anyone under 17 can fish without a license, though they still have to follow the fishing rules. A voluntary youth license costs $2. Adults are a different story: the DNR says any adult who is actively helping a minor fish must have a license. Twice a year, on Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekends (Presidents’ Day weekend in February and the weekend after the first full week of June), license fees are waived for everyone. At The Oaks, no one needs a license, because our fishing lake is private and completely surrounded by our land.
Fishing contests at The Oaks
If your child gets hooked, plan a return trip for a holiday weekend. On Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends, The Oaks event schedule includes a fishing contest with prizes for the most fish, the biggest fish and the smallest fish, so even a tiny bluegill can win something. Check The Oaks events page for dates.
For everything about the lake, see fishing at The Oaks. Rates vary by date and site; see The Oaks rates page to book your site.
Questions
What is the best bait for a kid’s first fishing trip?
Worms under a bobber. They catch panfish like bluegill reliably, and kids can watch the bobber for the bite. The Oaks camp store sells worms.
Do kids need a fishing license in Michigan?
No. Anyone under 17 can fish without a license but must follow the rules. An adult actively helping a child fish needs a license.
Where should kids fish at The Oaks?
Start on the dock. It reaches toward the middle of the fishing lake and is the most reliable spot. Bank fishing on the back side is harder.
Does The Oaks loan fishing rods?
No. The store sells bait and gear, but there are no loaner rods, so bring your own.
How long should a first fishing trip last?
For young kids, 30 minutes to an hour. Stop while they’re still having fun.
What time of day is best for a kid’s first fish at The Oaks?
Our team doesn’t publish a biting schedule, but the dock is close to a sure thing most of the day. Plan around the dusk rule: kids and bikes are back at the campsite by dusk at all of our parks, so evening fishing is a family outing.
What should we bring for a first fishing trip?
Your own rod and reel (there are no loaner rods), a small tackle box, a bucket and pliers. The camp store sells bait, including worms, and fishing supplies if you forget something.
