Angling for the Community: Reeling in the benefits of fishing for mental health and wellbeing

Angle For The Community have been really busy this summer getting loads of new people into fishing.

The project which is based in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, has been working with local Scout Groups recently and running regular sessions over at Homestead Park Lake. Licensed Level 2 Angling Coach, Ken Reader, has been doing a fantastic job giving local people the best start to their angling journey!

“We’d never been before and Noah loves it! You don’t even need to touch the maggots!” Rich Melbourne

Angle for the Community says:

In a fast-paced world where stress and anxiety have become commonplace, finding effective ways to enhance mental health and wellbeing is paramount. One unexpectedly therapeutic activity that has been gaining recognition is angling, the art of fishing. Beyond being a recreational pursuit, angling has proven to offer a wealth of mental and emotional benefits to individuals and communities alike. There are several advantages of angling for mental health and wellbeing, highlighting its potential to cast a positive impact on individuals within the community.

Serenity Amidst Nature: Angling provides a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and immerse oneself in the tranquility of nature. The serene backdrop of a quiet lake or flowing river can instantly calm the mind, alleviating stress and fostering a sense of relaxation.

Mindfulness in Action: Engaging in fishing requires patience and focus, qualities that align with mindfulness principles. The rhythmic act of casting a line, waiting patiently, and engaging with the environment cultivates a mindful state of awareness, allowing individuals to live in the present moment and temporarily detach from worries.

Stress Reduction: The repetitive and rhythmic motions involved in angling have been linked to stress reduction. As individuals focus on their fishing technique, their heart rate and cortisol levels tend to decrease, promoting an overall sense of wellbeing.

Social Connectivity: Angling often serves as a communal activity, providing an avenue for individuals to connect with others who share similar interests. Community fishing trips foster a sense of belonging and combat feelings of isolation, ultimately enhancing social connections.

Goal Achievement: Setting goals, whether it’s catching a particular fish or improving angling skills, gives anglers a sense of purpose and accomplishment. These small victories contribute to a positive self-image and boost self-esteem.

Exposure to Vitamin D: Spending time outdoors while angling exposes individuals to natural sunlight, leading to increased vitamin D production. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating mood and warding off symptoms of depression.

Cognitive Stimulation: The intricacies of angling, such as selecting the right equipment and studying fish behaviour, provide cognitive stimulation that can sharpen mental acuity and keep the mind engaged.

Emotional Outlet: Fishing provides an avenue for emotional expression. Whether one seeks solace or wishes to celebrate, angling allows for a range of emotions to be channeled in a healthy and productive manner.

Coping Mechanism: Engaging in angling can serve as a healthy coping mechanism for individuals dealing with mental health challenges. The meditative aspect of fishing can help individuals process emotions and manage symptoms.

Environmental Appreciation: Angling promotes a deeper appreciation for the environment and aquatic ecosystems. This newfound connection encourages anglers to be advocates for conservation, fostering a sense of responsibility and purpose.

Get Fishing events are free or low-cost events are a great introduction to angling because you can simply turn up and fish and don’t need to bring any of your own fishing tackle or bait – it will all be provided on the day, by the event organiser. All the Get Fishing events running from now through summer 2025 can be found in our Get Fishing event pages by clicking here.

Come along to a beginner have-a-go fishing session like this, and discover why fishing is good for your body and mind, why it doesn’t matter what age or ability level you are, and how fishing is great for children to get outdoors and gain focus and concentration in nature, and away from their screens.

Bring friends and children to learn to fish, see some nature at the waterside and enjoy a wonderful experience for the whole family. It’s great to learn a new skill, re-awaken your love of the great outdoors and embrace some newfound knowledge that you can use when you come fishing again.

There will be more events like this coming up this Summer! Keep checking our Summer of Fishing Events diary to find out when.

The Get Fishing campaign is funded by

The Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign to get more people fishing more often is funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Angling Trust, and Sport England. Children under 13 do not need a licence, and licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you still need to register and receive a licence before you go fishing. You can get a licence for the full year, for 8 days (ideal for holidays!) or just a day’s fishing.

NOTE: Although young children who are under 13 year old do not need a licence to fish, the person supervising them needs to have the proper fishing licence before they take hold of the fishing rod or help the child fish with it.

Get Fishing is Proudly Supported by

The Angling Trust’s ‘Get Fishing’ campaign is proudly supported by
Shakespeare, Exclusive Tackle Partner and Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we all work towards getting more people fishing, more often.

If there’s something that you cannot find here to help you start fishing or return to angling, please contact your local Regional Angling Development Officer – you can find the nearest one to where you want to go fishing here.