Are you looking for a quintessential small-town Iowa adventure this spring? Cast a line into the sparkling waters around Fairfield and reel in some unforgettable family memories. Whether you live in Fairfield or are just visiting, take your kids out fishing to one of the beautiful lakes around town! This experience will be more than just about catching fish. You can create memories as a family, teach your kids the advantages of being patient, and connect with nature. This article will provide you with some tips for sharing the joys of fishing while remaining safe and caring for the local environment.

 

Preparation

Spontaneity is great, but there are a few things you should consider before you head out to make your adventure enjoyable. Here are examples for basic tools:

• child-sized fishing rods and reels – our local Walmart has a great and affordable selection.
• basic tackle – a few extra hooks, a bobber, and some worms or artificial bait are often all you need to get started. Attaching a little bell to the rod might be helpful for determining if a fish is tugging on the line.
• knife – bring a sharp knife for gutting fish on the spot and for cutting entangled line.
• hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent – they will ensure the adventure stays in positive memory. A small first-aid kit could also come in handy.
• licenses – in May 2025, kids younger than 16 do not need a fishing license in Iowa, unless they are trout fishing. For more detailed information on this and adult licenses visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/fishing/fishing-licenses

Places

There are several areas in and around Fairfield where fishing is allowed. Here are two examples:

• Waterworks Park is accessible and family friendly. The relatively calm waters and easy access to the shoreline make it safe and manageable for the whole family. There is also a fun playground and a 20-minute picturesque loop trail on the water’s edge where other members of the family might enjoy a leisurely stroll and a chance to spot local wildlife like deer, rabbits, and birds.
• Jefferson County Park has 4 ponds for fishing largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Other attractions are the 75-foot swinging bridge, the quiet campground, the picnic area and the nature center.

For more information visit:

• City of Fairfield
• Jefferson County Conservation

 

 

 

Simple sustainability tips

Handling equipment and caring for the environment teaches our kids responsibility. These small actions also contribute to the long-term health of local ecosystems:

• Tie 1.5 feet of thinner line to the end of your main fishing line. If your line breaks, it is more likely that it will break in the weaker portion of the line and only that short piece will be lost in the lake. Here are some knots for you to try together.

You can also attach a swivel with a special safety snap hook to the end of your main line. When you bring several hooks that you’ve already attached to thinner line at home, it’s easy to swap them out at the lake. Just tie a double surgeon's loop at the end of each short piece of line and you’re ready on the spot!

• If you catch a fish that is too small to keep, you want to release it back into the water. Make sure to only grab it with wet hands. This way, you're not damaging its slime coat. That’s the protective mucus layer covering their skin which acts as a barrier against diseases, parasites, and injury, while also reducing friction in the water. Try to be swift and gentle when taking the hook out.
• Especially in spring, there are many nesting birds. Some nest by the water’s edge. Be aware of your environment and don’t step on nests or get too close to breeding birds.
• Killing and gutting fish on the spot is the most humane way to treat your catch. By knocking them on the head and checking if their pupil follows your finger, when you move it over their eyes, you can ensure they are unconscious. The simplest way to kill a fish is to then cut with a sharp knife from gill to gill, over the throat. Guts should be buried, not thrown in the lake. If our fish had an internal disease, we would expose the rest of the fish in the lake to it. Bring a cooler to keep your fish fresh. Holding a plastic bag in place with a rock in the cold water is another easy way to keep the gutted fish fresh.

How to be successful

• Take the time to teach everyone about the different parts of the fishing rod and how to cast safely.
• Prepare your different line-and-hook-setups at home.
• Try to be quiet when fishing. Some fish have very good hearing. Wear dark clothes. Some fish can see very well. Try not to have sunscreen or other artificial smells on your hands when putting bait on hooks. Some fish hunt by smell/taste.
• Bring various baits. There is no predicting what the fish might like that day, so having a variety to try is always a good idea.
• Some fish are spiky. Be careful when grabbing them with your hands, especially when you don’t know all your fish species.
• Don’t go fishing in lightning storms. Some types of fishing rods are also excellent lightning rods and can therefore be deadly in human hands.

But most of all, have fun! Eight year old Martin enjoys the battle when reeling in the fish and enjoys removing the hooks. Watching him, it seems like the anticipation and adventure is ever present -- even on days where there are only nibbles!