Where would you take a 4 year old for their first time fishing?

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

Not exactly fly fishing related, but I might bring my 4wt along just in case. My older kid will be turning 4 this spring. She has a little kid’s casting rod that she plays around with as a toy, but I think she’s about ready to go fishing for real. We live in Hershey, so if anybody knows of a nearby pond or lake full of bluegills and sunnies that you can catch right off a dock, I’d love a tip. I’m not trying to keep this sporting at all; I can cast for her if needed but I really want to get her to reel in a fish and hopefully get some good memories and some confidence from it. I know about Memorial Lake but I’ve never actually been there. Do you think that’s the best bet? Do you think it’d be worth it to try Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs on mentored youth fishing day? It’s also not bad for us to get to the Lancaster area from here but I have no idea what’s there. Thanks!

 

[Jemoca75!]

Not exactly fly fishing related, but I might bring my 4wt along just in case. My older kid will be turning 4 this spring. She has a little kid’s casting rod that she plays around with as a toy, but I think she’s about ready to go fishing for real. We live in Hershey, so if anybody knows of a nearby pond or lake full of bluegills and sunnies that you can catch right off a dock, I’d love a tip. I’m not trying to keep this sporting at all; I can cast for her if needed but I really want to get her to reel in a fish and hopefully get some good memories and some confidence from it. I know about Memorial Lake but I’ve never actually been there. Do you think that’s the best bet? Do you think it’d be worth it to try Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs on mentored youth fishing day? It’s also not bad for us to get to the Lancaster area from here but I have no idea what’s there. Thanks!

Etown college has a lake your allowed to fish, rheems fire department has a pond accessible

 

[Weikertgal]

If you are up for a drive, the Union County Sportsmans Club has a free trout rodeo May 10 at 9am and a bike rodeo at 11am. There is also a great playground and walking trail along Penns Creek. The membership goes all out for the kids' activities.

 

[birddog61]

Any pond or lake loaded with Sunnys add to that a bober and snoopy pole
Expect their intrest in the abundance of snacks and drinks you bring along to out weigh the purpose of your trip

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

Etown college has a lake your allowed to fish, rheems fire department has a pond accessible

This is great to know. Etown isn’t that far and it’s enough of a town there’s gotta be a playground we can bail to when her patience for fishing runs out.

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

If you are up for a drive, the Union County Sportsmans Club has a free trout rodeo May 10 at 9am and a bike rodeo at 11am. There is also a great playground and walking trail along Penns Creek. The membership goes all out for the kids' activities.

This sounds awesome but way too far away. Maybe when she’s older and can handle a long day.

 

[Jemoca75!]

This is great to know. Etown isn’t that far and it’s enough of a town there’s gotta be a playground we can bail to when her patience for fishing runs out.

The lake is a few blocks from the town park

 

[mszoke1802]

any pond as mentioned. but bring snacks and whatnot. I have 2 little ones and the fishing never lasts long for whatever reason. as long as you keep on taking them, that's what counts. 👍

 

[mt_flyfisher]

Springside Trout Pond is located about a mile south of New Holland and offers fly fishing, catch and release week days for $10/hr or $30 for all day. I believe it’s an all tackle catch and keep affair on the weekend. It’s a nice, small pond with tons of trout in it.

Kids don’t care what kind of fish they catch, as long as they’re catching something. When I was there last spring I got tired of trying to keep those trout off my hook.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

*edit, I see you are in Hershey. I would for panfish in the two C&R ponds just by doe run road school in Manheim.

The upper pond has lots of panfish and is usually very clear so you can see them

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

Springside Trout Pond is located about a mile south of New Holland and offers fly fishing, catch and release week days for $10/hr or $30 for all day. I believe it’s an all tackle catch and keep affair on the weekend. It’s a nice, small pond with tons of trout in it.

Kids don’t care what kind of fish they catch, as long as they’re catching something. When I was there last spring I got tired of trying to keep those trout off my hook.

This is a good tip because she knows trout are my favorite kind of fish to catch

 

[Bamboozle]

HoboWithAFlyRod:

I don't know what the situation is today, but call the Milton Hershey School and ask if you can fish the ponds out front. Many years ago I used to fish there with no issues so maybe if you ask permission it is still OK.

There is also Mt. Gretna Lake in Mt Gretna. I never fished there but it looks nice.

In Lancaster, the Greenfield Business Park is located on William Penn Way off of Greenfield Road. In that business park and the adjacent Greenfield Park are ponds loaded with fish. I would also venture to guess there are some similar business, county or township parks in and around Hershey with similar opportunities.

You might also try calling you local PFBC WCO and asking about places near to your home.

Good luck & have fun!!

 

[Tfhough]

For a 4 year old, I would stress being on the water and in nature, not actually the fishing. Even an adult only has a 20 minute attention span, so nature play along the pond/stream with an occasional bobber toss until they had enough should keep them happy. Find worms, turn over rocks and logs to look for critters, spot the sprouting plants. The important thing is to make it an activity they want to do again. The fishing will come with time and Sunny success .

 

[Wild_Trouter]

You could also take her to Limestone Springs Fishing Preserve in Myerstown (about 45 mins from Hershey). It's catch and keep but well-stocked, and she'd be guaranteed to catch something. She'd probably like taking a walk in the hatchery and feeding the fish too. Aside from that, I echo everyone else who said to find a small pond or lake with panfish. You can hook them and then let her bring them in so she can stay involved and focused...that's how I learned at that age.

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

For a 4 year old, I would stress being on the water and in nature, not actually the fishing. Even an adult only has a 20 minute attention span, so nature play along the pond/stream with an occasional bobber toss until they had enough should keep them happy. Find worms, turn over rocks and logs to look for critters, spot the sprouting plants. The important thing is to make it an activity they want to do again. The fishing will come with time and Sunny success .

Yeah, we’ve been doing nature walks along Quittie creek in Annville for a while, but I think a pond is a better place to bring her little rod to if we’re going to try fishing for a little bit.

 

[HoboWithAFlyRod]

HoboWithAFlyRod:

I don't know what the situation is today, but call the Milton Hershey School and ask if you can fish the ponds out front. Many years ago I used to fish there with no issues so maybe if you ask permission it is still OK.

There is also Mt. Gretna Lake in Mt Gretna. I never fished there but it looks nice.

In Lancaster, the Greenfield Business Park is located on William Penn Way off of Greenfield Road. In that business park and the adjacent Greenfield Park are ponds loaded with fish. I would also venture to guess there are some similar business, county or township parks in and around Hershey with similar opportunities.

You might also try calling you local PFBC WCO and asking about places near to your home.

Good luck & have fun!!

Thanks I didn’t know MHS had any ponds.