The Fishing Merit Badge is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s program to help young men and women develop their skills and knowledge on fishing. Earning a Fishing Merit Badge rewards Scouts with a visible sign of accomplishment and helps them progress along the path of Scouting. The requirements to earn the Fishing Merit Badge are outlined in the official Boy Scouts of America’s Fishing Merit Badge pamphlet.
To earn the Fishing Merit Badge, Scouts must complete all of the requirements, including the merit badge worksheet. The Fishing Merit Badge worksheet can be found on the Boy Scouts of America’s website and contains questions and tasks related to fishing. It also includes a list of resources that Scouts can use to learn more about fishing and what equipment they need.
The Fishing Merit Badge requirements include:
- Catch three different kinds of fish by any legal, sportsmanlike method.
- Provide a map and list of the kinds of fish found in the water you fished.
- Properly clean and cook one of the fish you caught.
- Discuss the importance of being prepared, conservation, safety, and courtesy when fishing.
- Describe the types of artificial lures and natural baits.
- Discuss the types of flies and their uses.
- Describe the types of knots and their uses.
- Explain the rules for storing and transporting fish.
- Name the local laws and regulations that apply to fishing, such as minimum size, daily catch, and season limits.
- Discuss the effects of water pollution and conservation.
- Identify the types of aquatic life in the waters you fished, including plants, animals, insects, and birds.
In addition to completing the Fishing Merit Badge worksheet and requirements, Scouts must demonstrate their skills and knowledge to a counselor. The counselor must be qualified to evaluate the Scout’s progress and must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts must also participate in a Scoutmaster-approved fishing outing with a minimum of two other Scouts.
Scouts who successfully complete the Fishing Merit Badge requirements and demonstrate their skill and knowledge to the counselor will be awarded the Fishing Merit Badge. This Merit Badge is a sign of accomplishment that recognizes the hard work and dedication a Scout has put into earning it. It also serves as a guideline to encourage Scouts to continue their development of fishing skills and knowledge.