Throughout the school week, students at Tosa West High School plot the fishing trip for the upcoming weekend. Every Friday night is dedicated for planing for the next day. Rods are rigged, tackle boxes restocked, and lake maps are studied.
Every day, high school students are smothered with school work, and the stress builds up from the constant noise and activity. There aren’t many stress relieving activities that teens can participate in to take a step back.
Fishing popularity has grown tremendously in the recent years. More and more people are starting to understand the benefits fishing provides. It allows individuals to find areas within cities and around their communities where they can connect with the natural world and the fishing community.
Finding a group of people to fish with is a great way to escape our world of stress. Shared early mornings, slow hours on the water, and the thrill of a catch create strong bonds. For teenagers especially, that sense of belonging and community is something they really need.
High school students are constantly burdened by school work and stress making fishing an escape for students to release stress and connect with nature and their community.
In this math class at Tosa West high school, the pressure is seen getting to students as Will Freeborn stares down at his work in frustration. High school students face a non-stop wave of academic pressure and noise, leading to mental fatigue.
“The constant toll of schoolwork and the pressure it brings, causes a lot stress for me” – Will Freeborn
Unfortunately, many students don’t have good ways to reduce this stress. However, some students use fishing as a coping method for the high levels of stress and fatigue.
Waking up early is a big part of fishing as the early morning bite is the best. We set our alarms for 4:25 in order to be ready to leave and get to the water at the perfect time.
“Waking up early for school is hard but waking up for fishing is the complete opposite.”
-Caleb Wagner (Tosa West Junior)
Waking up early for fishing is far different than waking up for school. The mood and mindset is much more relaxed and stress-free creating a pleasant wake up. Teens don’t have to worry about any work or academic stress, they can just enjoy the day.
As the car headlights illuminate the highway, the sense of excitement escalates inside the car. It was 4:45 AM, but Tosa West juniors Owen Knoedler and Coleman Arneson were wide awake, fueled by the morning sun peaking over the horizon.
Coleman Arneson, fishing on the pier at 5:00 am on Memorial day. For some students, waking up this early on their day off may seem insane. However, Coleman claims that “Seeing the sun come up over the horizon creates a sense of relaxation”. Waking up early and having a leisurely morning works great to slow down your brain and decrease your stress levels, giving you a break from daily life and routines.
Coleman exploring the Fox River, looking for new fishing spots. The physical challenge of the trek takes your mind off school and work, focusing on the present and embracing nature.
A picture of Owen Knoedler, Junior at Wauwatosa West, wading through the Fox River, hunting for monster smallmouth bass. Wading allows you to view the river from new perspectives, taking you away from the busy city. Finding nature in the middle of the city is still possible and when you do, a feeling of relief and connection builds.
A picture captured in Downtown Waukesha, at the Fox River Dam, showing different ages, gender, and ethnicities, all fishing at once. This reveals how local fishing spaces provide areas of communities that alleviate social isolation and promote social cohesion.
“I have seen the fishing community grow significantly over the past few years.” -Cal Haataja (Local fishing guide)
Multiple fisherman casting off the pier at the McKinley Marina at 5:00 AM on Memorial Day. Dedicated fisherman wake up early to chase the coho salmon, all the while enjoying a relaxing day of fishing.
Owen Knoedler, posing with a Muskie caught in the Fox River. With or without a fish, the day acted as a relief from the stress of the week.
In a fast-paced city where stress dominates many teenagers lives, fishing offers a simple but powerful escape. It gives people a chance to slow down, connect with nature as well as each other. Fishing is more than just a hobby, it is a valuable tool for supporting teens mental health,
