The Benefits of Fishing for Physical and Mental Health

Everton Pires
1 day ago
7 min read

Have you ever noticed how your mind seems to work differently after spending a few hours fishing?

Even when the fish does not appear, it is very common to return home quieter, with a clearer head and that feeling that the day was worth it. For many fishermen, it always seemed natural. No scientific study was needed to know that being near the water, concentrated in fishing and away from the routine was good.

But can fishing really bring benefits to physical and mental health?

In recent years, researchers have begun to study more closely the relationship between recreational fishing, contact with nature, stress and well-being. Although there are still many questions to be answered, the available evidence helps explain many of the sensations that we fishermen perceive in practice.

Fishing Temporarily Takes us Away From the Routine

We are constantly surrounded by commitments, notifications, messages, traffic and problems that need to be solved.

During a fishing trip, we know that much of this agitation is behind us. The attention begins to focus on other things: the tide, the wind, the movement of the water, the positioning of the vessel, the pitch and any sign of fish activity.

This change of environment and focus can consequently provide an important period of mental rest.

A publication by Australia’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation highlights that activities performed in natural environments can contribute to the recovery of attention after periods of work. The institution also mentions that well structured outdoor programs, some of them based on recreational fishing, have been used to support people in trauma recovery and mental health problems.

It is important to remember that this does not mean that fishing replaces medical or psychological care. However, it helps to understand why contact with water and nature can be part of a healthier routine.

Fishing Requires Concentration in the Present Moment

During a fishing trip, especially in the case of fly fishing, there is not much room to be completely distracted.

The fisherman must be present and observe water, perceive changes in the environment and coordinate movements. It is necessary to follow the work of the bait, correct the pitch, control the line and be prepared for the take of the fish, which we know can occur at any time as long as the bait is in the water.

In practice, this attention focused on what is happening at that moment approaches some principles used in activities of relaxation and conscious attention.

The Harvard Medical School publication on fly fishing relates the modality to what physician Herbert Benson called "relaxation response". The natural environment, the remoteness of everyday concerns and the rhythmic repetition of pitches can help to interrupt, even temporarily, the constant flow of thoughts and tensions.

For those who practice or fly fishing, this is easy to understand. The repetitive movement of the pitch, when performed quietly, requires concentration and rhythm. You need to feel the stick load, control the line and run each step at the right time.

When we are really involved in this activity, attention ceases to remain in external problems and begins to follow what is happening before us.

Contact With Water and Nature

Most fishing trips happen in or near natural environments. Even in an urban environment, such as fishing for tarpons in the rivers and estuaries of Recife, we are still surrounded by water, birds, mangroves, tidal variations and many other natural elements.

It is not necessary to navigate to a completely isolated region to perceive this difference. Ao sair do ambiente fechado e entrar em contato com o rio, o mar ou uma represa, passamos a observar sons, movimentos e condições que normalmente ignoramos ou que passam despercebidos durante a rotina.

Studies on outdoor activities indicate that contact with natural environments is associated with recovery of attention and benefits for well-being. At the same time, researchers warn that there are still relatively few studies capable of demonstrating exactly when, how and for whom recreational fishing produces these benefits.

Therefore, it is important not to turn fishing into a miraculous solution. What we can say is that it brings together several elements considered positive: contact with nature, temporary removal from screens, concentration, physical movement and social interaction.

The Relationship Between Fishing, Stress and Well-Being

A study published in 2022 analyzed associations between marine recreational fishing, perceived stress, sleep quality and fish consumption. The research found positive relations between participation in fishing and some health and well-being indicators, although observational studies of this type are not sufficient to prove that fishing alone was the cause of the results found.

That difference is important. A person who fishes regularly can also practice more outdoor activities, maintain greater social contact or have a different routine than people that don't fish. All these factors can influence the results.

Even so, the data reinforces something that many fishermen report: fishing can represent a healthy pause within a life marked by concerns, responsibilities and excessive stimuli.

The material used as the basis for this article also relates fishing to the reduction of perceived stress, anxiety and the creation of states similar to those obtained in meditative practices.

Fishing Also Moves the Body

It is common that many people imagine that fishing means staying seated for several hours waiting for the fish to appear.

This may happen in some modalities, but it is far from representing the whole reality of sport fishing.

Depending on the environment and the technique used, a fishery may involve:

walk along the bank;
entering and leaving the vessel;
maintain balance with the moving boat;
rowing;
cross shallow areas;
Throw repeatedly;
control the line;
work the fish;
lift and organize equipment.

In fly fishing, the pitch uses arms, shoulders, back and part of the trunk. When we fish on board, the body also works constantly to maintain posture and balance.

In coastal fishing trips, rivers or estuaries, the level of effort may vary greatly according to the duration of the activity, climate, current and size of the fish.

Ontario Parks describes fishing as a low impact physical activity capable of moving arms, shoulders, back, legs and central musculature. The intensity, of course, depends on the modality and conditions of fishing.

Of course, we cannot compare a quiet fishing trip to intense sports training. Still, staying active outdoors is very different from spending the same period sitting before a screen.

Solving Problems is Part of Every Fishing Trip

Fishing is never a completely predictable activity. A technique that worked yesterday may not work today. The fish may change behavior or depth, the water may become blurred, the tide may delay the activity and the wind may hinder the pitch.

The fisherman needs to interpret these changes and make decisions. It may be necessary to change the bait, change the size of the leader, change the speed of the pickup or seek another point. In some cases, a change of a few meters in the position of the vessel makes a big difference, but a decision is needed.

This constant need to observe, test and correct turns fishing into an activity that requires practical reasoning.

Ontario Parks also relates these small challenges to the development of problem solving skills, analytical thinking and creativity.

In my experience as a guide, I notice that very often.

The fisherman isn't just repeating movements. He's trying to understand the environment and anticipate the behavior of a wild animal that doesn't always follow the expected pattern.

It is precisely this unpredictability that makes fishing so fascinating and challenging.

Patience, Persistance and Emotional Control

Not every fishing trip produces quick catches or guaranteed results.

Some days, the fish is active and responds immediately in the first pitches. In others, you have to work for several hours until an opportunity arises.

There are also those moments when the fish accompanies the bait, refuses the attack or escapes after being hooked, very common behavior including the fishing of tarpons in Recife.

All this requires patience, perseverance, and emotional control. Over time, the fisherman learns that he cannot control all the elements of fishing.

He can prepare the equipment, choose the most suitable technique and make a good throw, but the final decision still belongs to the fish. This dynamic teaches to deal with expectations and frustrations.

For children and young people, fishing can also be an opportunity to develop patience, coordination and fine motor skills. Tie a knot, control the line and throw a throw are tasks that require attention and precision.

The Importance of Being Together

Though some people prefer to fish allone, fishing can also be a deeply social activity. Many friendships begin or strengthen on a boat.

During fishing, there is time to talk, share experiences and learn from other people. Parents fish with children, friends organize trips and fishermen from different places exchange information about techniques and species.

In my case, much of my fishing career was built through these connections. From the first trips with my parents to the experiences with other fishermen and professional guides, many opportunities arose because there was someone willing to share knowledge, a technique or a fishing experience.

In a world where much of the communication happens through screens, spending a few hours in direct contact with other people can also make a difference in social well-being.

Is it Necessary to Fish to Have These Benefits?

There is no single modality considered ideal for well-being.

Some people prefer ravine fishing in a small lake. Others like kayak, boat fishing, beach, fresh water or open sea.

Some people find peace of mind in the repetitive fly fishing movement. Others prefer the expectation of working an artificial bait or waiting for a larger fish to attack a natural bait. Each modality provides different experiences.

The Australian institution responsible for studying the benefits of fishing recognises that there are hundreds or thousands of ways to fish. Consequently, different modalities can have different effects on health and well-being.

The most important thing is that the activity is performed in a safe, responsible and appropriate manner to the conditions of each person.

Fishing is not a Cure, but it can be Part of a Healthy Life

It is important to maintain balance when talking about the benefits of fishing. It does not replace medical treatment, psychological counseling, regular exercises or other health care necessary.

Nor can we say that every person will have the same experience. An ill-planned fishing trip carried out under dangerous conditions or surrounded by conflicts can produce just the opposite effect.

However, when practiced safely and responsibly, fishing offers many benefits.

It puts us in motion, brings us closer to nature, demands concentration and temporarily takes us away from daily agitation. It also creates opportunities to learn, live and create memories.

For us fishermen, perhaps science is just beginning to explain something we have felt for a long time.

Often the fish is the goal that leads us to the water, but it's not always the only benefit we bring back home.