The 21 Best Fishing Quotes

There are a lot of great fishing quotes out there. Here’s our list of the best fishing quotes, spoken by some of the world’s best poets, authors, comedians, and even politicians.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

Henry David Thoreau

“If fishing is interfering with your business, give up your business” – Sparse Grey Hackle

It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming.

John Steinbeck

“I am firmly convinced that the ideal combination leading to a happy life is to have the time to both fish and read.” -Brian Murphy

Fishing is a discipline in the equality of men – for all men are equal before fish.

Herbert Hoover

“No life is so happy and so pleasant as the life of the well-govern’d angler.” -Izaak Walton

You know when they have a fishing show on TV? They catch the fish and then let it go. They don’t want to eat the fish, they just want to make it late for something.

Mitch Hedberg

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of something that is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” -John Bucha

Fishing, with me, has always been an excuse to drink in the daytime.

Jimmy Cannon

“Many of the most highly publicized events of my presidency are not nearly as memorable or significant in my life as fishing with my daddy.” -Jimmy Carter

Be patient and calm – for no one can catch fish in anger

Herbert Hoover

“Life is like a game, but fishing is serious.” -(Unknown)

The best time to go fishing is when you can get away.

Robert Traver

“Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher’s salary.” -Patrick McManus

The fishing was good, it was the catching that was bad.

A.K. Best

“If all politicians fished, instead of spoke publicly, we would be at peace with the world.” -Will Rogers

Do not tell fish stories where the people know you. Particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish

Mark Twain

“I only hope the fish will take half as much trouble for me as I’ve taken for them.” -Rudyard Kipling

I go fishing not to find myself but to lose myself.

 Joseph Monniger

“The two best times to fish is when it’s rainin’ and when it ain’t.” -Unknown