Maryland is proud to be a part of the national program, Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs™. Sponsored by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund and the Future Fisherman Foundation, DNR offers free fishing clinics throughout the year to Maryland youth. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Resources Education staff teaches these clinics to over 1,000 students a year. Click on a link below to find out more about the various programs offered.
This popular program started in Maryland in 1989 as a pilot program that has expanded into summer clinics as well as day programs throughout the year. The "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" concept started in 1986 when a teenager from Florida wrote to the Future Fishermen Foundation explaining how he chose to go fishing and think through his problems instead of turning to drugs. He wanted other youth to have an alternative to drug use and his suggestion evolved into a national program offered in 27 states, District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico.
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The Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs® summer clinics are a 5-day fishing program for boys and girls ages 8-15. DNR staff teaches the 3-hour daily class in the morning (8:00-11:00) and afternoon (12:00-3:00) at local state and county parks throughout Maryland. The summer clinics are offered for 5 consecutive weeks. We supply the fishing gear. Just bring a snack and beverage, wear a hat and sunblock, and dress for the weather.
Participants learn about watersheds, fishing techniques, freshwater ecology, food webs, and local environmental issues. Emphasis is given to safety, angler ethics, knot tying, casting, catch and release, and fish identification. All activities are designed to increase the enjoyment and knowledge of Maryland’s aquatic resources. Natural Resource Police officers teach about water safety and precautions that should be taken when fishing on a boat.
Clinic Fee
This year $15.00 fee will be charged for each child accepted into the Summer Fishing Clinics. The fee must be received within 10 business days of receiving the acceptance confirmation letter. Do not send the fee with the registration form.
Please note that this year we have added another clinic site – Eden Mill Nature Center in Harford County.
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July 7 - 11 July 14 - 18 July 21 - 25 July 28 - August 1 August 4 -8 |
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All dates have a morning (8:00 -11:00) session and an afternoon (12:00 - 3:00) session
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Greenbrier State Park, Washington County |
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Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon Entrance, Baltimore/Howard County |
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Howard's Pond, Cecil County |
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Harford Glen Environmental Center Harford County |
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Eden Mill Nature Center Harford County |
When a session is full, the status below will change. If the session you wanted is full, please pick another session or ask to be put on the Wait List.
| Weeks | Greenbrier
State Park | Harford Glen | Patapsco Valley State Park |
Eden Mill Nature Center | Howard's
Pond 7/7 - 7/11 |
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AM -
FULL
AM - FULL |
PM - FULL
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM
- FULL |
PM - Available 7/14 - 7/18 |
|
AM - FULL
AM - FULL |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available 7/21 - 7/25 |
AM - FULL |
PM - FULL
AM
- FULL |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
7/28 - 8/1 |
AM - FULL |
PM - Available
AM - FULL |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available 8/4 - 8/8 |
AM
- FULL |
PM - FULL
AM - FULL |
PM - Available
AM -
FULL |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available
AM - Available |
PM - Available |
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Registration Tips
1. Allow 2 weeks for processing of registration forms.
A confirmation letter will be mailed with instructions about the $15 fee.
Missing information will delay this process.
2. Registrations are processed as they are received. No spaces can be held in
advance.
3. For carpooling groups - mail all the completed registrations together
so your group will be registered for the same session.
4. Cancellations – Please notify the program coordinator when you need to
cancel. Every site has a lengthy wait list and we can fill the space quickly.
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If there are any questions, please contact Martha Shaum at 410-260-8721.
Maryland DNR conducts free mini sessions of the “Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” program for community and youth groups upon request. Children of all ability levels are welcome. The program is designed for ages 8-15. DNR staff will provide fishing equipment and instruction to small groups (maximum size of 20 students per session). Participants learn how to set up a rod including knot tying and attaching tackle. Casting practice, angler ethics, catch and release, and safety will be covered before fishing. A typical session lasts 1.5-3 hours. Session length can be adjusted to fit the availability of the group. A local fishing site will be determined. Groups supply their own bait and transportation. Adult leaders must accompany the group.
For more information or to request a day program, contact Martha Shaum at 410-260-8721 or mshaum@dnr.state.md.us
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a limited amount of fishing related equipment available to loan to organizations. Summer camps, scout troops, 4-H clubs, Y.M.C.A.'s and other education-based organizations are eligible to borrow equipment for free. It is the sole responsibility of the sponsoring organization to pick up, properly maintain, and drop off the equipment.
Rods, Reels, & Tackle- Rods with spincasting reels and terminal tackle (bobbers, hooks, sinker) are available. Casting plugs can be borrowed upon request. Fishing equipment for derbies and events is available on a limited basis. Call to reserve equipment at least two months or more prior to the event.
Casting Kit- A tackle box filled with casting plugs and casting targets (Backyard Bass) make any casting contest fun. Try to "hook" and reel in a stationary plastic fish to demonstrate accuracy in casting. Comes with suggestions for casting contest. FREE
Fish Painting Kit- Enjoy the Japanese art form of Gyotaku (fish printing) with realistic fish molds. Easy instructions included with the kit. Paintbrushes, fish molds, and colored pencils in an easy to carry tackle box can be borrowed. T-shirts, cards, posters, and framed prints are just a few crafts created with fish printing. Just buy small acrylic paints and paper or cloth for applying the print. FREE
For more information or to reserve equipment, please e-mail Martha Shaum or call 410-260-8721.