Come Fish with Us
Looking to get into fishing but don’t know how to get started? Then join us at one of our many FREE Fish with us activities such as Fishing Workshops and Try Fishing Sessions that will teach you all the basics needed to fish for today and tomorrow.
Fishing Workshops
We run FREE workshops for everyone, including our target 8 – 14 year old groups, families and some dedicated adult community workshops. You will learn about fishing rules, how to cast, knot tying, baiting and rigging followed by a supervised fishing session with our Education Officers and Fishcare Volunteers.
Giveaways include a rod/reel combo, sunglasses, tackle box and goodie bag to use on the day and to take home to continue their fishing adventure.
What are you waiting for?
Check out workshop dates and freshwater or saltwater fishing locations below, with new locations being added to our workshop calendar all the time.
Fish for Life 'Try Fishing' sessions
Join us at one of our FREE community Try Fishing Sessions across the state, which are open to everyone and all ages. They are a great opportunity to learn the basics of fishing, talk fishing with our Education Officers and Fishcare Volunteers and try your hand at casting a line. We provide all the equipment, bait and fishing advice for the day. Check out dates and locations below with more sessions added during the year.
Fishing workshops timetable
*Please note our workshops use COVID-safe practices.
Venue/region | Workshop dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
North Coast Region Melanie Buhler M: 0458 274 876 | 12/04/2023 13/04/2023 18/04/2023 | Lawson St, Red Rock Reserve - Book Here Gordon Park, Nambucca Heads - Book Here Cribb Reserve, Evans Head - Book Here |
Central Region, Matt McLeod M: 0455 553 988 | 19/04/2023 21/04/2023 | Lions Park, Woy Woy - Fully Booked Patonga Creek Boat Ramp - Fully Booked |
Sydney Region Dee Payne M: 0408 437 547 | ||
South Coast Region Trent Beaver M: 0438 245 190 | ||
South West Region Brett Smith M: 0447 219 618 brett.smith@dpi.nsw.gov.au | 13/04/2023 14/04/2023 | Narrandera Fisheries Centre - Book Here |
North West Region Roger Cupples M: 0419 662 508 | 11/03/2023 18/04/2023 | Deano's Hatchery, Black Mountain - Fully Booked Dutton Trout Hatchery, Ebor - Book Here |
Try Fishing Sessions
Note: Schools Holidays are the 10 April to the 21st April 2023
Venue/region | Workshop dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
North Coast Region Melanie Buhler M: 0458 274 876 | 12/04/2023 13/04/2023 18/4/2023 | Red Rock Reserve, Lawson St (1pm - 3:30pm) Nambucca Heads, Gordon Park (1pm - 3:30pm) Evans Head, Cribb Reserve (1pm - 3:30pm) | |
Central Region Matt McLeod M: 0455 553 988 | |||
Sydney Region Dee Payne M: 0408 437 547 | 28/05/2023 | Balmain - Book Here | |
South Coast Region Trent Beaver M: 0438 245 190 | |||
South West Region Brett Smith M: 0447 219 618 | 15/04/2023 6/05/2023 | Apex Park, Lake Albert, Wagga (9am - 12pm) Lake Centenary, Temora (9am - 12pm) (Bookings not required for these events) | |
North West Region Roger Cupples M: 0419 662 508 | 22/04/2023 | Lake Keepit Dam (10am - 12pm) - Fully Booked | |
Your safety on the day
DPI complies with current NSW Health COVID safety guidelines. In addition:
- a parent/guardian must accompany all juniors (under 18 years) to help their child with baiting, knots, casting and during practical fishing. Parents/guardians are to ensure their child is appropriately dressed for the workshop activity, including enclosed shoes and a hat. Please bring a water bottle and ensure your sun safe.
- All DPI staff and volunteers meet working with children checks and all sites used are risked assessed.
How do I get involved in these fishing workshops and fishing sessions?
Promotion for workshops and sessions open to the public is done this webpage with additional more promotion on our NSW Fisheries Facebook page and can also be found on Eventbrite. Bookings are essential and links will be provided in the table above before each event.
Groups/organisation
Not for profit groups and partner agencies/organisations can run dedicated group workshops with NSW DPI. For more information, contact your local Fisheries Education Officer (details above) to discuss workshop opportunities.
How can my school get involved
Schools can get involved through the “Get Hooked it’s Fun to Fish Fishing” Schools page
Contact information
For more information about the Department's fishing workshops contact fish.care@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
DPI workshops feedback
Gaden Hatchery
"Many of the students that I brought would never get the opportunity to learn about fish, fishing and conservation. As part of our outdoor educational program, it was a wonderful opportunity for our boys to develop knowledge and understanding about responsible fishing practices, fishing rules and regulations, fishing safety and fish anatomy. Our school cannot wait until next year, we would like to bring more! Once again, thanks."
Tracey, Canberra
Southern region
"I'd like to thank you and all the people involved for the excellent workshop held at Tuross Head last Wednesday 15th April, 2015. I was informed of it through the local Tuross Head Fishing Club and its involvement with the Tuross Head Country Club. I am retired here and offered my grandchildren in Canberra the experience. 4 of them joined it enthusiastically. Aged from 9 to 14, 3 boys and 1 girl, all were delighted with their experiences. Not only did they learn sound basic skills but they remain keen to continue their fishing. The day was cleverly organised to teach the range of age groups and the fishing and safety gear they received served to cement their interest in fishing. What a great concept and adventure! Thanks."
Ian
Sydney region
"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."
Mary, Sydney
Western region
"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. Cheers."
Michelle, Central West Tablelands
