You might associate fishing with your grandfather, or any retired individual who eagerly wakes at 5am to get out and try his or her luck on the water. Well, the fact is that there are many people who love to fish, and not simply for the purposes of putting food on the table.

Fishing has long been one of the primary means by which humans have survived over the course of many millennia. In fact, many primitive fishing communities still exist today around the globe. Here in the civilized world, however, we have many contemporary methods for fishing, and they haven’t changed too much over the course of modern human development.

Regardless of the history of fishing, many people simply love to spend the day fishing for many reasons. So, whether you know how to fish or you need to brush up on reading your new baitcaster instructions, take a look at a few of the best reasons to get out and go fishing.

Relax and Unwind

Believe it or not, fishing is actually a recommended activity for those who suffer from high stress, inflammation and depression. This is because numerous studies have shown that spending time outdoors and performing an activity that requires mental focus actually causes your blood pressure to decrease, and boosts the immune system.

As our lives are often caught between business and busyness, taking a day out to go relax and position yourself among nature not only gives you peace of mind, it gives you a break from the noise and chatter that we’re all so blindly accustomed to on a daily basis. Knowing this, fishing truly does wonders for our health and wellness.

Going fishing for the day alleviates the daily stress that we’re all exposed to, and gives us time to recharge our batteries. You might actually find that after a day of fishing you feel less stressed and rejuvenated, and you’ll feel ready to “tackle” the day. Pun intended.

Help Conservation Efforts

Did you know that in most states, money obtained from the purchase of fishing licenses and renewals goes toward conservation efforts? This is a part of how your state finances conservation programs which help to keep rivers, lakes and streams clean, hopefully, so that future generations can also go out and enjoy a day fishing as well.

The more time you spend fishing and learning the art of fishing, as well as local ordinances, the more knowledgeable you’ll become in regard to your local conservation efforts.

Each outdoorsman is a steward of the natural environment. And as such, it becomes your duty to help uphold catch-and-release laws and all of the local environmental protocols that regulate the fishing industry in your state.

Because You Can

Ask any lifelong fisherman and they’ll tell you, the best reason to go fishing is because you can.

Whether you’re retired, on vacation, or just sitting around the house letting the kids drive you crazy, getting out on the water or the shore and engaging in the act of fishing needs no true reasoning at all.

If fishing makes you feel better about life, then go fishing. If you can clear your head while out casting your line, then go fishing. And, if you have nothing to do at all, then it’s time to go fishing.

In truth, the best part about going fishing is that you never really need a reason. This isn’t an activity where you need to come up with some bizarre excuse. You go fishing because you want to, because you like it, and because it gives you time to bond with your kids, your friends, or yourself.

As long as there are fish in the water, men and women will always come to the shores of life to fish. And, unless one day in the far off future we humans diverge from the taste of fish, then fishing will always exist.

In life, there are only a few activities that are timeless in nature, and fishing is truly among them.