Want to share your love for fishing with others? Come volunteer with us!

NJF&W’s Fishing Education Instructor Program are volunteer anglers who want to share their passion for fishing with others at workshops, events and programs. Volunteers don’t have to be expert anglers to help others learn basic fishing skills, and don’t need any teaching experience to help others learn to fish.

To become a Fishing Education Instructor, attend a training! New instructor training is typically offered once a year in late winter or early spring. If you would like to be notified when the next training is available complete the Instructor Interest Survey . Email questions to njfishingr3@njdepwptest.net.

Instructor Qualifications

General fishing skills are helpful, but not required; a willingness to participate and learn is essential.

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have an interest in aquatic resources and their conservation.
• Possess a strong personal sense of outdoor ethics.
• Enjoy working with people of all ages.
• Have good communication and organizational skills.
• Hold a current fishing license while fishing or leading fishing programs.
• Be a member of the Wildlife Conservation Corps (WCC)
  • WCC Application Form

Instructor Duties

• Assist Fish & Wildlife staff with teaching:
  • Equipment safety and use
  • Knot tying
  • Casting
  • Fish identification and safe handling
  • Fishing ethics and regulations
• Willing to volunteer at more than one fishing education program.

Fishing Programs and Locations

Program Name	Description	Location	Participants	When
Pequest Education Pond	Introductory and advanced spin casting and fly fishing programs for both organized groups and public programs.	Oxford, NJ	Ages 8 years old and up	Weekdays, Occasional Weekends
Hackettstown First Catch Center	Introductory classes that include a classroom session, learning to set up equipment, knot tying and a fishing experience.	Hackettstown, NJ	Ages 8 years old and up	Weekdays, Weekends
Let’s Go Fishing Workshops	Introductory and advanced fishing workshops for adults.	Statewide	Adults, 18 years and older	Weekdays, Weekends
Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs	This program trains adults to coordinate fishing teams/clubs throughout the state. Volunteers help with fishing sessions at trainings, as well as fishing events for organized teams.	Statewide	HOFNOD Teams, adults and students	Weekdays, Weekends
Sisters Afield	This program focuses on fostering an interest and gaining a meaningful comfort level with fishing among women with their children ages six and older.	Statewide	Women and their children 6 years old and up	Primarily Weekends