Survival Fishing: Techniques and Tools for Catching Fish Anywhere

When the chips are down and your next meal depends on what you can catch from the water, knowing how to fish with minimal gear could make all the difference. Whether you're a prepper building your skill set or an outdoor enthusiast looking to enhance your self-reliance, mastering survival fishing techniques is an invaluable addition to your wilderness knowledge.

I've spent years teaching survival skills to everyone from first-time campers to seasoned outdoorsmen, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that fishing for survival is vastly different from recreational fishing. You won't always have access to that favorite lucky lure or perfectly balanced rod. Instead, you'll need to rely on creativity, resourcefulness, and an understanding of basic fishing principles that work in any environment.

Mastering survival fishing is just one of the 22 essential skills you need to thrive in emergencies—learn more here.

For self-reliant living and sustainable skills, My Survival Farm offers valuable insights into permaculture gardening and survival essentials.

There's something profoundly satisfying about catching a fish with your bare hands. While it might sound like something out of a wilderness reality show, hand fishing (also known as noodling in some regions) is a legitimate survival skill. The technique requires patience, quick reflexes, and a good understanding of fish behavior.

The key is to move slowly, letting your hands acclimate to the water temperature, and approach from downstream so the current doesn't alert the fish to your presence. Look for undercut banks and fallen logs where fish typically hide.

Hand fishing is a fundamental skill that complements other wilderness survival techniques—explore essential skills for wilderness survival here.

Resources like SpecOps Bushcrafting can expand your knowledge of essential survival tactics, including primitive fishing methods.

When traditional fishing equipment isn't available, nature provides numerous alternatives. Here's what you can use:

Natural Fishing Lines:

• Inner bark fibers from mulberry or cedar trees

• Plant fibers from yucca or nettle

• Unraveled paracord (if you have it)

DIY Fishing Hooks:

• Thorns from certain plants

• Small bones shaped into hooks

• Carved wooden hooks (hardwoods work best)

• Paper clips or safety pins from your gear

Improvised fishing tools, like hooks from bark fibers, are part of nature’s survival toolkit—discover 10 survival tools you can craft from tree bark here.

Having a backup guide like The Lost Superfoods ensures you're equipped to handle emergency scenarios with food preservation and nutrition.

One of the most efficient ways to catch fish in a survival situation is to let the trap do the work while you handle other critical tasks. Fish traps can be constructed from various materials and work 24/7.

This is my go-to method when I find discarded plastic bottles. Here's how to make one:

1. Cut off the top third of a plastic bottle

2. Invert the top portion and insert it into the bottom section

3. Secure with cordage or small sticks through punctured holes

4. Add bait and weight to sink the trap

5. Place in slow-moving water

Nature provides excellent materials for creating funnel traps. Using flexible saplings and vines:

1. Create a cone-shaped entrance

2. Weave a larger holding area

3. Ensure the entrance points slightly downward

4. Place in areas where fish naturally travel

Effective fish traps rely on locating prime water sources—learn how to find and purify water in the wild here.

Pocket Farm teaches sustainable food sources that complement survival fishing techniques.

Success in survival fishing largely depends on location. Look for these features:

• Convergence of two water sources

• Areas where the water depth changes dramatically

• Overhanging vegetation

• Fallen trees or large rocks

• Eddies in moving water

When survival is the goal, forget about artificial lures. Nature provides plenty of effective bait options:

• Earthworms (dig in damp soil)

• Grubs (found in rotting logs)

• Grasshoppers and crickets

• Small crayfish

• Minnows caught in makeshift traps

Blast Proof offers comprehensive survival strategies, including sourcing and utilizing natural resources effectively.

Spearfishing can be highly effective in clear water. Create a simple spear by:

1. Selecting a straight, strong sapling

2. Hardening the tip in fire

3. Creating multiple prongs for better success

4. Adding notches to prevent fish from sliding off

Spearfishing in clear water pairs well with fire-starting techniques for cooking your catch—learn how to build a fire even in the rain here.

A trotline can help you catch multiple fish simultaneously:

1. Secure a main line across a water body

2. Attach multiple shorter lines with hooks

3. Space hooks about 2-3 feet apart

4. Check regularly to prevent losing catch to predators

Once you've caught fish, proper preservation is crucial for extending your food supply:

Smoking Fish:

1. Clean the fish thoroughly

2. Create a smoking rack above a small fire

3. Maintain low heat and plenty of smoke

4. Continue until the fish is fully dried

Sun Drying:

1. Fillet fish thinly

2. Add salt if available

3. Place on a raised rack in direct sunlight

4. Protect from insects with improvised screens

Preserve your catch for extended survival with these 10 methods for preserving meat without refrigeration—explore them here.

While the focus is on improvised methods, carrying a few key items can dramatically increase your success:

Basic Survival Fishing Kit:

• Fishing line (50 feet of 20 lb test)

• Assorted hooks (sizes 6-12)

• Small sinkers or weights

• Compact multitool

• Water purification method

Packing a compact survival fishing kit is key—see 50 must-have items for crisis situations here.

Products like Air Fountain ensure you stay hydrated while focusing on survival essentials.

The most critical aspect of survival fishing isn't the techniques or tools – it's the mindset. Patience, observation, and adaptability are your greatest assets. Start practicing these skills before you need them. The time to learn isn't when your survival depends on it.

I once found myself stranded near a mountain lake after a navigation error. What saved me wasn't the fancy gear in my pack, but the knowledge of how to craft a simple gorge hook from a small branch and catch fish using techniques I had practiced as a hobby. That experience taught me that the best survival tool is the knowledge you carry in your head.

Survival fishing is about more than just catching fish – it's about understanding the environment, adapting to available resources, and maintaining the confidence to provide for yourself in challenging situations. Whether you're preparing for emergency scenarios or simply wanting to deepen your outdoor skills, the techniques outlined here provide a solid foundation for self-reliant fishing.

Remember: practice these skills in normal conditions, so they'll be second nature when you really need them. Start with the basics, master them, and then move on to more advanced techniques. Your life may never depend on catching a fish, but if it does, you'll be glad you took the time to learn.

[Author's note: Always check local regulations regarding fishing methods and practice these techniques legally and responsibly.]