Fishing with Friends

Fishing with Friends is back at Pier 68 this Saturday, October 17, from 11 AM to 2 PM. It's a free, family-friendly, hands-on fishing program on the Delaware River that welcomes all ages and skill levels, from seasoned anglers to people who have never held a rod. If you've never fished before, you're in good company—the whole point is to get people out on the water without needing any prior experience.

While you're casting, you'll learn about the more than 60 fish species that call the Delaware home, including American shad, eel, and catfish. All the gear and some basic instruction are provided free of charge, and you don't need a fishing license to take part. The only rule is catch-and-release, so whatever you pull in goes right back into the river.

The program is run by Riverways Collaboration in partnership with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. It's a community-focused effort, and proceeds support the organization's wider work, which includes paddling, river cleanups, and community science monitoring. If you're bringing kids, just keep in mind that children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

This is part of a regular series that runs every third Saturday from May to October, so if you miss this one, there's usually another chance coming up. This session is at Pier 68, 1751 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19148, from 11 AM to 2 PM, and it's free.