So you’d like to spend the weekend fishing on a local lake. Before you begin, follow these freshwater fishing tips so that you can be prepared for a relaxing, fun time. There’s nothing more frustrating than a weekend spent in the emergency room or on the shore because you hurt yourself or didn’t bring proper supplies. Below, we are going to give you some fishing tips.

First of all, treat your fishing equipment with the respect it deserves. Fishing hooks and other pieces of fly fishing equipment are sharp. Never load a hook in a hurry or do anything else that will put you in danger of stabbing yourself with it. Fishing hooks are similar to kitchen knives in their ability to harm you, and you should follow the same safety rules when using them. It’s especially important not to move too quickly when using the hook.

You also need to pay special attention to the weather. Common sense says not to go fishing if bad weather is expected. But even if the sky is perfectly clear, a storm can come up out of nowhere. So it is important to notice things like clouds forming or winds getting stronger.

If it seems like a storm is approaching, you should pack up and get back to shore. Never keep fishing in a lightning or other rain storm, and always wear a protective life vest in case winds ever knock your boat over.

Hopefully, there are no storms, and instead your weather is sunny and hot. You will need to wear sunscreen so that you don’t risk sunburn or damage to your skin. You should also make sure to pack plenty of drinking water so that you don’t become dehydrated.

Bring extra supplies when going on a fishing expedition. You will need extra hooks and fishing equipment, small tools such as a flashlight or a screwdriver, and of course plenty of bait. If you should run low on bait, try cutting some worms in half. The fish won’t really care how small the bait is; they are just interested in a free meal.

Freshwater fishing is an enjoyable, relaxing sport–so much so that it is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Make sure you follow freshwater fishing tips like the ones in this article so that you have the best chance of enjoying your fishing trip and catching the biggest fish.