Discover Fishing at the Pier Program

During this hands-on program, youth learn basic fishing skills including casting and knot tying, food web study, and pier-based fishing techniques.

The goal of this program is to increase awareness and understanding of the Great Lakes through fishing.

The fourth annual Discover Fishing at the Pier program will take place on June 6, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Registration information below.

Program Details

Saturday, June 6, 2026
9:00-11:30 a.m.
Cost: FREE

Youth aged 7-16 are invited to register for this free program. Youth must be accompanied by an adult, whether they are a parent, adult sibling, or friend. By learning together, we hope that the youth will continue fishing into the future.

Throughout the program, youth rotate through hands-on learning stations including casting, knot tying, macroinvertebrate study, and fish identification. After these learning stations, participants practice their new skills, with the support of staff and volunteers, by fishing from the pier.

All fishing gear is provided.

This program takes place at Discovery Pier, a barrier-free public space on Grand Traverse Bay.

Discovery Pier
13271 SW Bay Shore Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684

Registration for this program will open in Spring 2026.
Don’t miss our registration announcement—sign up for our e-news below.

Sponsors

Your support makes this program possible and keeps it free for all participants. Please contact us for more information about sponsorships.

Check out these resources from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to learn the basics of fishing in our state so you can begin to experience Michigan’s more than 150 species of fish, 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 11,000 inland lakes.