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The charity making life better by water

Summer Holiday family fun with free canal fishing events

Families looking for fun, free activities over the summer holidays can enjoy a relaxing day by the water at one of our popular Let’s Fish! events.

group of people sitting by the canal fishing Let's Fish! event at Foxton, Grand Union Canal

Taking place at canals across the country, the UK’s biggest programme of angling events offers people of all ages the chance to try fishing for the first time – or pick it up again – with expert guidance in a safe and welcoming setting.

Let's Fish!

Let’s Fish! is a national programme supported by local angling clubs and made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. With all bait and equipment provided, participants aged six and over receive one-to-one coaching from qualified, licensed angling instructors.

John Ellis, head of fisheries & angling at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Fishing is a brilliant way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature, and our Let’s Fish! events are the perfect introduction. They’re friendly, inclusive and ideal for children and adults alike – whether you’ve never picked up a rod before or haven’t fished in years.

“We’ve got plenty of sessions running throughout the summer, giving families a great excuse to get out by the canal, learn a new skill and maybe even catch their first fish!”

Encouraging people to discover the water

With events spread across our 2,000-mile canal network in England and Wales, Let’s Fish! plays an important role in encouraging more people to discover the wellbeing benefits of spending time by the water, helping them feel healthier and happier, while learning about local wildlife and heritage.

We encourage all Let's Fish participants to experience fishing alongside others of similar age groups at club or academy events. After that, many decide to take part in a local Daiwa Regional Celebration, taking place throughout the summer. Sponsored by fishing product specialist Daiwa, they are a chance to try out new skills, supported by licensed Let’s Fish! coaches. These culminate in two flagship events in the autumn: the National Celebration of Young People and Fishing, sponsored by Guru with support from Angling Direct, and the Daiwa Global Communities Celebration.

Last Edited: 31 July 2025

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