Fishing Merit Badge Workbook
This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the current Scouts BSA Requirements.
Type your work on this page or download the Fishing Workbook PDF.
Consider also using the Fishing merit badge class preparation page for clarification and expections when participating in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge opportunity (online or in-person).
Scout's Name:
Requirement 1: Do the following:
Requirement 1 a: Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in fishing activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
Most likely hazards
Anticipate hazards
Prevent hazards
Mitigate hazards
Respond to hazards
Requirement 1 b: Discuss the prevention of and treatment for the following health concerns that could occur while fishing, including cuts and scratches, puncture wounds, insect bites, hypothermia, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburn.
Cuts and scratches
Puncture wounds
Insect bites
Hypothermia
Dehydration
Heat exhaustion
Heatstroke
Sunburn
Requirement 1 c: Explain how to remove a hook that has lodged in your arm.
Requirement 1 d: Name and explain five safety practices you should always follow while fishing.
Requirement 2: Discuss the differences between two types of fishing outfits. Point out and identify the parts of several types of rods and reels. Explain how and when each would be used. Review with your counselor how to care for this equipment.
Differences between two types of fishing outfits
| Identified parts of several types of rods and reels, explaining how and when each would be used |
How to care for this equipment
Requirement 3: Demonstrate the proper use of two different types of fishing equipment.
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Requirement 4: Demonstrate how to tie the following knots: improved clinch knot, Palomar knot, uni knot, uni to uni knot, and arbor knot. Explain how and when each knot is used.
Demonstrated tying | How and when the knot is used |
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Requirement 5: Name and identify five basic artificial lures and five natural baits and explain how to fish with them. Explain why baitfish are not to be released.
Five basic artificial lures and how to fish with them
Five natural baits and how to fish with them
Why baitfish are not to be released
Requirement 6: Do the following:
Requirement 6 a: Explain the importance of practicing Leave No Trace techniques. Discuss the positive effects of Leave No Trace on fishing resources.
Importance of practicing Leave No Trace techniques
Positive effects of Leave No Trace on fishing resources
Requirement 6 b: Discuss the meaning and importance of catch and release. Describe how to properly release a fish safely to the water.
Meaning and importance of catch and release
How to properly release a fish safely to the water
Requirement 7: Obtain and review the regulations affecting game fishing where you live. Explain why they were adopted and what is accomplished by following them.
Requirement 8: Explain what good outdoor sportsmanlike behavior is and how it relates to anglers. Tell how the Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America relates to a fishing sports enthusiast, including the aspects of littering, trespassing, courteous behavior, and obeying fishing regulations.
Good outdoor sportsmanlike behavior and how it relates to anglers
How the Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America relates to a fishing sports enthusiast
Requirement 9: Catch at least one fish and identify it.
| Type of fish |
Requirement 10: If regulations and health concerns permit, clean and cook a fish you have caught. If you are unable to catch a fish for eating, acquire a fish, clean the fish you acquired, and cook the fish you acquired. (It is not required that you eat the fish.)
| Completed |
