A fish just surfaced beside the sofa. Luckily it’s a paper bluegill and somebody in your living room has been waiting all afternoon for a bite. You can play this whole fishing game with scissors, a pencil and your hands.
What is National Go Fishing Day?
National Go Fishing Day is June 18. It celebrates time spent fishing, learning about aquatic life, and sharing a pastime across generations. Families can explore the theme through pretend play as well as an outdoor outing.
An old skill with a long equipment story
Fishing hooks have been made from materials including bone, shell, and wood as well as metal. The Fishing Museum’s history shows how tools changed as people developed different ways to catch fish. Looking at those designs turns a fishing theme into a conversation about materials, habitats, and ingenuity. The Fishing Museum’s history of hooks.
A simple way to enjoy the day
Ask a relative for a fishing memory or identify the fish in the paper-pond game below. If you plan a real trip, check local rules and suitable access first; an indoor catch works whatever the weather.
Holiday dates for planning
| Observance | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Go Fishing Day | Thursday, June 18, 2026 | Friday, June 18, 2027 | Sunday, June 18, 2028 | Monday, June 18, 2029 | Tuesday, June 18, 2030 |
National Go Fishing Day date reference
Stock the pond
Color and cut out the six fish, two of each kind. Look for the bluegill’s deep body and dark ear spot, the bass’s long mouth and side stripe, and the catfish’s whiskers. Spread the fish on the pond sheet with some tucked around the reeds.
Draw a catch card
Read a clue and have the angler lift a matching fish by its tail. Little anglers can play face up. For a memory game, turn the fish over and allow two peeks per turn. Return each catch to the pond before the next clue so the catch cards keep working.
Tell a fish story
Lay the three species in a row. Pick one and describe it without saying its name. If your partner guesses correctly, swap jobs. For the final round let somebody invent a wonderfully tall fishing tale about the smallest fish on the rug.
Get the free printable set
Living Room Fishing Game includes three US Letter pages. Freshwater fish cutouts. Our living-room pond. Catch of the day.