If you decide to take up fishing, there are two main categories to choose from: freshwater and saltwater angling. There are numerous subcategories under each category, but freshwater is the most common type of fishing since it can be done in nearby lakes, ponds, and rivers. Almost everyone has access to some form of freshwater angling. Most freshwater fishing equipment costs less than saltwater gear, which is usually heavier and stronger to handle larger species of fish. In most cases, any local sporting goods store can supply you with the necessary equipment for freshwater fishing. There are several different freshwater fishing techniques to remember. First, there’s trolling, which involves a long length of weighted line, often using live bait, that’s dragged slowly from a moving boat. This method is used on many lake and river fish, including walleye and lake trout. Next, there’s casting, which involves casting a line, usually with a lure but sometimes with live bait, from a boat or from shore. In most cases, casting is used on game fish such as bass, northern pike, trout, and muskellunge (mus-KAH-lunj). Lastly, there’s fly-fishing. This technique is characterized by distinctive multiple casts used to place a fly, or other lightweight lure, with a floating line. Fly-fishing is commonly used to catch an assortment of trout, salmon, and many other species. There’s no magic bait for all fish, but the one bait with the broadest range may be the night crawler worm. Just about any freshwater game fish from striper to sand bass to catfish finds them appetizing.
