Where to start fishing

This post is all about finding the right location to start fishing. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when just getting started, especially when getting started with little kids, is going too big for the first go. By that I mean aiming for big fish in big bodies of water. Its certainly no secret that anglers have a reputation for seeking the biggest fish they can, that is the prize. However, when just starting out, I 100% suggest quantity over quality. For a kid just learning, catching 10 small fish will be more enjoyable than 1 large fish (if they can even make that happen at all). Taking a kid to one of DFW’s huge lakes and hoping the spot you chose just happened to have nice big fish nearby can lead to a lot of frustration and fishing being deemed “boring” which will be the end of the hobby before they ever even began. Instead, find a small pond in a park or neighborhood. Almost every body of water in Texas will have at least some fish in it.

Google maps is an invaluable tool for finding a good place to start fishing. Looking at this map, you can see the big lake might be tempting, but you will have much higher chances for beginner success in the smaller ponds I circled in green. Catching small bluegill or sunfish in these ponds will help get your kid acclimated to fishing and keep them engaged more than hoping to catch a large bass or catfish in the main lake.