Fishing workshops
A great catch at a Gaden fishing workshop
Aim
Fishing workshops are designed to teach responsible fishing practices to children, providing an enjoyable educational experience. The program is funded by the Recreational Fishing Trust, with its major goal is to teach the basics of fishing to a newcomer and to encourage them to continue in the sport.
Participants develop knowledge and understanding about:
- Fishing rules and regulations
- Fishing safety and responsibly
- Fish anatomy, habitat and fishing skills (baiting, rigging and casting)
General workshops: saltwater and freshwater
DPI runs general fishing workshops in both saltwater and freshwater locations. The location sites vary over time but generally are located in either departmental owned facilities or safe locations which have been risk assessed by agency staff.
- Freshwater workshops are also often run at departmental fish hatcheries, such as Gaden (Jindabyne), Dutton (Ebor), Narrandera and Grafton.
- Saltwater workshops are run at places such as, Brunswick Heads, Ballina, Evans Head, Coffs Harbour, Urunga, The Entrance, Lake Macquarie, Potonga, Narrabeen, Balmain, Darling Harbour, Cronulla, Lake Illawarra, Narooma and Batemans Bay.
Workshops are for children aged between 8 and 14 years. Workshops generally last no more than 5 hours and the number of maximum participants is 30.
What is included in Fishing Workshops
Thank you letterA charge of $40 applies per child to all Fishing Workshops, except the Community Engagement and Special Needs Fishing Workshops which are conducted free of charge. The charge subsidises the cost of gear used/given to the child at the completion of the days activities. Over the course of the day, children are taken through a series of activity or lesson sessions including;
- rules and regulations
- fishing safety and responsibly
- conservation of fish habitats
- knot tying
- line rigging and baiting
- casting techniques, retrieval of fish and fish handling
At the completion of the day, each child is receives a rod, reel, tackle box, hooksafe, shirt, cap and goodie bag to take home with them. At some venues a BBQ lunch and or morning/afternoon tea is also provided. At the end of the day, a quiz session, provides each child with a prize to take home, plus a certificate of achievement.
Participants with prizes and goodie bags at the end of a south coast fishing workshop
Your child's safety on the day
DPI complies with the NSW Commission for Children and Young People, by ensuring all staff and volunteers undergo working with children checks and follow the practices as outlined by the agency.
Sites used by the agency to undertake the workshops are risked assessed by experienced DPI staff and risks and hazards identified and minimised.
All parents are encouraged to ensure there child is appropriately dressed for the days activity, including enclosed shoes, they bring a water bottle and sunscreen is applied beforehand. Children with allergies and or health conditions are catered for provided information has been given prior, by correctly filling out the requested paperwork and returning it to the appropriate Education Officer, three working days prior to the workshop.
All tools used are assessed for safety
How are Fishing Licence Fees being used to support this program?
The NSW Recreational Fishing Trust provides funding to ensure the workshop program continues around the state. With these funds we are better placed to ensure consistent messages, effectiveness and equity in our workshop program. Quality take home materials such as rods and reels ensures the education experience lasts longer.
How do I get involved in these Fishing Workshops
Individuals
General fishing workshops are advertised in local papers, on our website and at agency offices, each advert has contact details attached and you are encouraged to call this number to lodge your interest with the agency. You will be sent out a set of forms for completion and return. Workshop payment is via credit card only and must be paid prior to the event.
All participants wear safety glasses
Contact your local Fisheries Education Officer (table below) for more information.
Groups/organisation
A number of special needs, community engagement and NESB fishing workshops are undertaken each year. These are free to each participant, however it is the responsibility of the group/organisation to provide transport to and from the location and qualified carers where necessary.
Limited numbers of workshops are available each year so unfortunately not all requests can be met. For more information contact your local Fisheries Education Officer (table below) for more information.
When are the next Workshops at DPI?
Freshwater workshop timetable
| Venue | Workshop Dates | Available to | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaden Trout Hatchery |
21 Jan 2012 22 Jan 2012 |
General Public | Stephen Thurstan, Education Officer, Sth Coast. Ph: 4295 1809 M: 0438 245 190 |
| Dutton Trout Hatchery | TBA | General Public | Chris Sheen, Education Officer, Nrth Coast. Ph: 6629 1381 M: 0409 469 968 |
| Narrandera Fisheries Centre | 12 Jan 2012 13 Jan 2012 |
General public | Brett Smith, Education Officer, Western Region. Ph: 6881 1222 M: 0447 219 618 |
| Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith | 19 April 2012 | General Public | Dena Murray, Education Officer, Syd Region Ph: 9527 8526 M: 0448 837 677 |
Saltwater workshop timetable
| Region | Workshop Dates/Location | Available to | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Region | General Public | Chris Sheen, Education Officer, North Coast Ph: 6626 1381 M: 0409 469 968 |
|
| Central Coast | 17 Dec 2011, Forster 9 Jan 2012, Lake Macquarie 9 Jan 2012 , Central Coast 11 Jan 2012, Port Macquarie 20 Jan 2012, Taylors Beach 12 Feb 2012, Lake Macquarie 11 April 2012, Forster 17 April 2012, Lake Macquarie |
General public | Jamie Burns, Education Officer, Central Coast. Ph: 4980 9204 M: 0408 609 332 |
| Sydney | 11th January Gunnamatta Bay 13th January Narrabeen 19th January Balmain 20th January Maritime Museum |
General Public | Dena Murray Education Officer, Sydney Region. Ph: 9527 8526 M: 0448 837 677 |
| Southern Region | 20 Dec 2011, Narooma 12 Jan 2012, Batemans Bay 13 Jan 2012, Merimbula 11 April 2012, Greenwell Point 13 April 2012, Lake Illawarra 17 April 2012, Merimbula |
General Public | Stephen Thurstan, Education Officer, South Coast Ph: 4295 1809 M: 0438 245 190 |
Workshop feedback
Kids Fishing workshop held at Evans Head 24 October 2009.
The kids have fun and learn a lot at our workshops, and we really enjoy teaching and interacting with keen young minds. But it's great to get positive feedback from the parents as well! Here is an excerpt from a letter received from a happy parent:
"Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of taking my son to the Fishing Workshop at the Gaden Trout Hatchery.
Would you please pass on my thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Hatchery who held the Workshop. It was obvious from the exited chatter in the car on the way home that my son had a fantastic day, capped off by catching a trout for dinner!
The team at the hatchery were professional and friendly. Even at the end of what I'm sure was a long day for them, they kept there cool and focus on the kids.
Well done to all."
Please thank all ( Bob, Bill, Gary & others) with regard to yesterdays workshop. Our three boys: Zach, Lachlan & Sam had a great day. Sam was very pleased with his catch - Snapper. All the boys commented that they had more fun than playing X-Box; so it must have been good!
Just like to let you know Dion really enjoyed yesterday's workshop, he is proudly showing off his new fishing rod and vowing to catch some fish for me. Thank you for organising the workshop.
Hi
As it's the last day of the school holidays I just wanted to tell what a great time fishing my boys have had these holidays. They have spent the best part of the holidays riding up and down river on their bikes to various fishing holes, fishing and swimming. All thanks to the workshop. They have become fishing obsessed and get up at 5.30, unheard of for most 14 yr olds!!, just to go fishing. Best of all they have caught some really big fish that they thrilled with. See attached pics.
Cheers,
Michelle, Central West Tablelands
Hi Chris,
Just a short note to thank you for hosting such a great day on Saturday for the kids (Dutton Hatchery Fishing Workshop). Ben came home thrilled with his knowledge of knots and we had to spend the afternoon walking Allans Waters looking for those trout! I am sure today will be the same. It was really well organised and excellent value. I know Ben will want to do the next one also so I will keep an eye out for that in May. I couldn't believe how many volunteers were there also - they love their fishing, which is great to see.
Thanks once again.Kind regards,
Vicki/2010
Just wanted to thank you and your colleagues for the wonderful day you gave the kids at the Fishing Workshop, everyone had a great day and we were most impressed with the organization of the day. Jacob's Dad was so envious of his shirt, they were so pleased with all the gear.
Parent, Fay, Sydney 2010
I just wanted to write to you to thank you for offering such a wonderful fishing program. Aaron had a wonderful day and came home reiterating all that he had learnt about fishing and its restrictions. He is now very keen to talk about his experience in an assessment task due next term. It is always a challenge as a parent to find engaging and educational activities during school holidays. I congratulate you and particularly the volunteers for providing such a memorable day. I will certainly be singing your praises.
Parent, Mary, Sydney 2010
Thank you for organizing today's fishing clinic. I enjoyed it very much. I liked catching the fish and also learning about the size limits and how much you are allowed to catch. My Dad is going to take me fishing next week and I will be using my new fishing rod that I got today.
Workshop participant, Sydney 2010
Who else runs Fishing Workshops in NSW?
The Department also supports the 'Hooked on Fishing' programs run by the Department of Sport & Recreation during school holiday periods at centres such as Broken Bay and Myuna Bay. For more information contact the Department of Sport and Recreation on 13 13 02.
Fishing education programs are also run by some fishing clubs, councils and community education centres. To find the groups in your area, contact your local council and request a list of the local community organisations.
For more information about the Department's fishing workshops, contact Dee McElligott, Recreational Trust - State Coordinator, Community Programs, on (02) 95278531 or 0408437547.