In recent years, angling has seen an unfortunate decline in participation and 2025 is shaping up to be a critical year for the future of fishing.
To secure its legacy, clubs and fisheries need to adapt, innovate, and strive to engage with new audiences.
Here are some practical strategies to help you bring new faces to your fishing club, from first-time anglers seeking a connection with the outdoors to young juniors eager to try something new.
Shift the Focus: It’s Not Just About the Catch
Fishing clubs often put heavy emphasis on catching fish when they market themselves. While that’ll definitely appeal to seasoned anglers, it won’t necessarily resonate with those who are new to fishing.
Instead, pitch angling as a chance to get back to nature, an escape from the stresses of day-to-day life and a way to make new friends. Emphasise that it’s not only about catching the biggest fish – it’s about enjoying the process, learning new skills, and spending time in nature. By shifting the narrative, clubs can appeal to a broader audience, including people who might not initially see themselves as anglers.
Martin Bowler on Increasing Angling Participation
“Make Angling Cool Again”
To appeal to new audiences, fishing clubs need to embrace storytelling and build a brand that sparks excitement. Share personal stories about past fishing experiences, memorable catches, or peaceful moments by the water. Photos and short videos are especially powerful to show people what they’re missing!
You could even update your club’s branding with a new logo, a modern angling website, or even branded fishing club clothing. Post about your events online, and encourage members to share their photos and stories. When people see their friends and neighbours enjoying fishing, they’ll be more likely to give it a try.
Invest in Junior Angling Programs
Increasing junior participation in angling is crucial to ensuring the longevity of the sport. In a survey of 100 angling clubs and 28,860 anglers, 99% of respondents believe we need to do more to increase junior participation… but 41% of clubs and fisheries don’t host any junior participation events or coaching days!
The Angling Trust offer a range of certifications to help experienced anglers who are already showing newcomers the ropes in their clubs to become qualified coaches. Learn more here.
Consider offering discounted or free memberships for young people, which could include perks like tackle kits or workshops to make angling more accessible for the younger generation. You could even host junior-only competitions to make fishing exciting, rewarding, and social.
A fantastic example of this is through the Canal and Rivers Trust; they host hundreds of learn-to-fish introductory taster events for young people called Let’s Fish!, which are supported by local angling clubs. See how your club can get involved.
Another great way to help you make angling more accessible to juniors is through the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing Fund, which grants of up to £2,500 to fund angling-based projects, financed from fishing licence sales. The grants can help you purchase equipment, fishing tackle and resources to run fishing events and activities to help boost participation.
Will Millard on Increasing Angling Participation
Make Angling Accessible
Making angling more accessible is one of the best ways to draw in newcomers who might otherwise feel excluded. Simple changes can make a big difference in welcoming a wider audience.
Start by making sure your facilities are inclusive. Accessible paths and pegs can open up your fishery to people with mobility challenges and families who want to spend the day fishing together but might need slightly more peg space than a solo angler.
For beginners, the upfront cost of fishing gear can be a barrier. Offering equipment rentals or starter kits can make the sport less intimidating. Consider hosting workshops or gear swaps where anglers can donate or trade unused gear, helping newcomers get started without breaking the bank.
By addressing these various factors, your club can foster a more inclusive environment that welcomes everyone and removes some of the familiar barriers to participation in angling.
Build a Community: Foster Connection Through Angling
Angling is as much about camaraderie as it is about casting a line, and a strong, welcoming community can turn first-time anglers into lifelong members.
One great way to build community is through coaching schemes. Pair experienced anglers with beginners or juniors to offer guidance, share tips, and build lasting friendships. Beyond that, social events can help members connect in new ways. BBQs, work parties or seasonal gatherings create opportunities for bonding that extend beyond the water.
To recap, angling has the potential to grow into a vibrant, inclusive sport that connects people to nature and each other. Let’s open the door to a new generation of anglers and redefine fishing as a gateway to adventure, nature, and community. What’s your club doing to increase participation? We’d love to hear your ideas and successes – we’re all in this together!
Clubmate is the go-to fishery management software trusted by over 100,000 anglers and 1500+ fishing club committee members and bailiffs. We’ll help you remove unnecessary paperwork, increase revenue and take back your spare time with our simple-to-use, cloud-based system designed specifically for fishing clubs and fisheries. Book a 1-2-1 demo with one of our fishing club experts or see what people have to say about working with us.
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