I am writing this article to tell other kids that it does not take a lot of knowledge and expensive equipment to have fun catching fish. You do not always need a boat or a big lake. Almost right outside of everyone's backdoor are lots of places to have fun fishing. Small lakes, ponds, and creeks usually supply all kinds of fish and plenty of them.

One of my favorite places to fish is in the creek by my house. It has smallmouth bass and largemouth bass in it as well as rockbass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. All of these fish are fun to catch. It is a medium size creek with some small fishing holes here and there.

Always be careful when around water and never go by yourself. Ask your Dad or Mom to go with you, if they can't, then find a friend to go. If you are fishing in an area where there is deep water then wear a life jacket too.

There are lots of different ways to catch fish in a creek. I like using small tackle like spinning reels or Zebco reels with soft rods. Small lures such as plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits work almost all season long. During the summer using small top water plugs like poppers are real good in the morning and evenings. My most favorite plastic worms are "Touchdown Worms". They are small and have hooks already in them that can't get hung up in rocks and weeds very easy. They also come in all different kinds of colors and the fish really like them. Most of the spinnerbaits I use are 1/8-ounce lures and are white with a little chartreuse color. The best crankbait colors I have used for fishing in creeks are crawdad colors in 1" to 1 1/2" long shallow diving sizes.

The tackle does not have to cost a lot either. I find lots of lures at stores like Wal-Mart for less than $1.00. I also find lots of tackle and lures at yard sales and flea markets. I save my money that I earn mowing grass and helping Mom and Dad with work around the house. Sometimes I get stuff for my birthday and Christmas too.

If you don't have lures, then you can use live bait like worms. I catch these out of the yard the night before I go fishing. I will also look under old wood and rocks. I put the worms in a small bucket with some dirt and leaves. When fishing with worms I will use small hooks and sinkers and just cast them out in the creek to the bottom and wait for a fish to bite. If you are fishing in a deep hole, then get some small bobbers and attach them on your line so your hook & worm will be just off the bottom when it floats across.

If the fish aren't biting on anything, then I like to spend time trying to catch some crawfish for fun. You can usually find these under rocks at the edge of the water. They work well as bait for catching smallmouth bass.

When fishing in the creek, look for little pockets of water against the shore, big rocks that stick up, or some wood and grass. The fish like to hide behind these on the down current side. It makes it easier for the fish to rest and catch things floating down the creek. Just throw your bait past these things and bring it right back with the current past them. If there is a fish there, they might bite. These areas where the water flow is broken up are called "eddies". If you can't find an eddy then throw your bait across the creek and slowly reel while letting it drift with the current. When it gets almost to your side of the creek, then just reel it in and cast across the creek again.

When fishing in the creek I also like to use my fly rod. I got this for Christmas awhile back and it is fun. It is allot tougher to learn though then it looks. One of things I enjoy about fly-fishing though is making my own flies. When it is winter and I can't fish, I spend time trying to learn how to make new ones.

If you do not have a creek near your home, then ask someone in your family if they have a friend or know someone who has a creek going through their property or a small farm pond. Ask them if they will take you. I enjoy bass fishing the most, but I love to catch bluegill and crappie in small farm ponds. Some small farm ponds have some of the biggest bass and they are sometimes easier to catch.

So get out this summer and try fishing a creek. I have learned allot from fishing in creeks and you can too. It doesn't cost much and on those hot days it fun to wade around if the fish aren't biting. But remember never go by yourself. Besides, it is more fun with a friend.

Editors note: Mark is 15 years old and a member of the "Bass Kids of Indiana" Junior Bass club. He has been in the club for five years and is a three-time club champion. He is on the 2002 Indiana State Youth Team.