Looking for an antidote to the fast-paced, tech-saturated culture our kids are growing up in? One word: fishing. Demanding preparation, patience, and stillness, fishing is a pasttime that might be a challenge for our instant-gratification generation—and that's exactly what's so great about it. Our street backs up to a little pond, and from the time they could capably hold a pole, our kids have tried their luck hooking sunfish and striped bass on free weekend days and evenings. Our catches have been few, but our boys have learned some lessons about treasuring the process over the final product, and the quiet moments contemplating the water have made for some great memories.
Spring is a great time to introduce kids to fishing, as many local ponds and lakes are often brimming with fish (sometimes stocked by MassWildlife). Here are some family-friendly fishing holes within a short drive of Boston—and some tips for making a day out on the pond or lake a successful one, whether the fish are biting or not.