Image by Michael Edgerly
An extensive clinical evaluation released December 30, 2025 in the Journal of Practical Morphology and Kinesiology provides the most extensive evaluation to date of leisure fishing’s results on human health, discovering considerable mental advantages together with significant injury threats.
Scientists from Poland’s Medical University of Gdańsk examined 41 research studies covering 25 years, manufacturing proof on the physical, mental, and ecological aspects related to leisure and sport fishing. Their findings support what numerous anglers have actually long thought: fishing is really helpful for psychological health.
The evaluation discovered constant proof of tension decrease, enhanced state of mind, and scientifically significant declines in PTSD signs amongst routine anglers. A UK research study of 1,752 individuals revealed statistically considerable decreases in anxiety, schizophrenia, and self-destructive ideation amongst those who fished frequently. Healing fly-fishing programs for veterans– such as Job Recovery Waters Fly Fishing– showed 20– 30% decreases in PTSD sign seriousness.
The scientists associate these advantages to fishing’s special mix of nature immersion, concentrated, and balanced physical motion, which lines up with recognized green-exercise and attention-restoration theories.
Nevertheless, the evaluation likewise records considerable musculoskeletal threats. Amongst fly fishers, 36% reported upper limb discomfort– most frequently in the shoulder– while 59% experienced lower pain in the back. Cold direct exposure throughout fishing was connected to increased rates of persistent discomfort, carpal tunnel syndrome, and joint tightness. Hook-related injuries represent 70% of fishing-related emergency situation department check outs, and fishing represents almost 20% of all sports-related eye injuries in the United States.
The authors require broadened research study beyond fly fishing, which controls the existing literature in spite of representing just 2– 3% of international angling involvement. They advise incorporating fishing-based programs into psychological health and rehab efforts while establishing much better security education around cold direct exposure, ergonomic casting, and protective glasses.
You can read the review here.
