Cast Away Calories – Fishing Workout Calculator
Find out exactly how many calories your fishing trips burn! Just enter your details below and get personalized insights from our team of outdoor fitness experts.
Your Outdoor Fitness Journey Starts Here!
Fishing 1-2 times a week can significantly improve your physical health, mental well-being, and connection with nature. Ready to see your results?
How Many Calories Does Fishing Burn?
Fishing burns between 100-600 calories per hour, depending on activity type, intensity, and environmental conditions. According to scientific research, recreational fishing provides numerous health and well-being benefits, including improved physical activity levels, stress reduction, and enhanced social connections. A typical 3-hour fishing session can burn 300-900 calories while offering significant psychological benefits, cognitive refreshment, and connection with nature.
Fishing Intensity Levels
Based on the Compendium of Physical Activities and academic research, here are the different intensity levels:
- Light Fishing (1.8-2.0 METs): Sitting in a boat, ice fishing, stationary fishing from a dock or shore
- Moderate Fishing (3.0-4.0 METs): Standing while fishing, river bank fishing, general fishing activities
- Active Fishing (4.0-5.0 METs): Walking while fishing, crab fishing, digging for worms/bait
- Vigorous Fishing (6.0+ METs): Fishing in streams with waders, fly fishing with significant movement
According to cross-sectional survey research, regular recreational fishing is associated with improved sleep quality, higher subjective health ratings, and enhanced psychological well-being, particularly when fishing in natural marine environments!
Health Benefits of Fishing
According to scientific studies, regular fishing offers numerous evidence-based benefits:
Psychological Wellbeing
- Significant stress reduction
- Improved mental restoration
- Enhanced mood and focus
- Decreased anxiety levels
Physical Benefits
- Improved core strength
- Enhanced balance and stability
- Better fine motor skills
- Increased outdoor activity time
Nature Connection
- Increased vitamin D exposure
- Environmental awareness
- Nature immersion therapy
- Improved air quality exposure
Sleep & Recovery
- Better sleep quality
- Improved sleep duration
- Enhanced parasympathetic activity
- Healthier sleep-wake cycles
Fishing Calorie Burn Chart
| Duration | Light (2.0 MET) |
Moderate (3.5 MET) |
Active (4.5 MET) |
Vigorous (6.0+ MET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 70-100 calories | 125-175 calories | 160-225 calories | 210-300 calories |
| 2 hours | 140-200 calories | 250-350 calories | 320-450 calories | 420-600 calories |
| 3 hours | 210-300 calories | 375-525 calories | 480-675 calories | 630-900 calories |
| 4 hours | 280-400 calories | 500-700 calories | 640-900 calories | 840-1200 calories |
Calories Burned by Fishing Variables
| Variable | Impact on Calorie Burn | MET Adjustment | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain Difficulty | +15-30% for uneven terrain | +0.5 to 2.0 METs | Improved balance, ankle stability, core engagement |
| Weather Conditions | +10-20% for windy/cold conditions | +0.5 to 1.0 METs | Enhanced caloric expenditure, thermoregulation challenge |
| Casting Frequency | +5-15% for high-frequency casting | +0.3 to 0.8 METs | Upper body activation, rotational core strength |
| Wading/Movement | +25-40% when actively moving in water | +1.5 to 2.5 METs | Water resistance training, lower body strength |
Formula for Calculating Fishing Calories Burned
Calories Burned = (MET × Weight(kg) × 3.5) ÷ 200 × Duration(min)
- MET Value: 1.8-6.0+ (based on fishing style from Compendium of Physical Activities)
- Weight: Your body weight in kilograms
- Duration: Fishing time in minutes
- 3.5: Standard metabolic factor
Calorie Burn by Fishing Style
According to research on recreational fishing, different fishing styles offer unique benefits and calorie-burning potential:
- Fly Fishing (4.0-6.0 METs): Requires continuous casting and often involves wading in streams; excellent for upper body engagement, coordination, and balance
- Shore Fishing (2.5-4.0 METs): Standing and occasional walking along shorelines; good for moderate, sustained activity and core stabilization
- Boat Fishing (1.8-3.0 METs): Seated or standing on a boat; provides balance challenges and core engagement, especially in choppy water
- Ice Fishing (2.0-3.0 METs): Cold exposure increases metabolic rate; involves hole drilling, trap setting, and occasional movement between fishing spots
Fishing vs. Other Outdoor Activities
| Activity Type | Calorie Burn (3 hrs) | Mental Benefit | Skill Development | Unique Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing (moderate) | 375-525 calories | Very High | High | Meditative quality, natural connection, potential food source |
| Hiking (moderate) | 900-1200 calories | High | Medium | Greater cardiovascular challenge, varied terrain |
| Kayaking (leisure) | 600-900 calories | High | High | Upper body focus, water exploration capability |
| Bird Watching | 300-450 calories | High | Medium | Educational component, minimal equipment needed |
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References
- Pita, P., Gribble, M. O., Antelo, M., Ainsworth, G., Hyder, K., & Villasante, S. (2022). Recreational fishing, health and well-being: Findings from a cross-sectional survey. Ecosystems and People (Abingdon, England), 18(1), 530. https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2022.2112291
- Pita, P., Gribble, M. O., Antelo, M., Ainsworth, G., Hyder, K., & Villasante, S. (2022). Recreational fishing, health and well-being: Findings from a cross-sectional survey. Ecosystems and People (Abingdon, England), 18(1), 530. https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2022.2112291
- Gamarra, N., Costa, A., Ferreira, M., Diele-Viegas, L., Santos, A., Ladle, R., Malhado, A., & Campos-Silva, J. (2023). The contribution of fishing to human well-being in Brazilian coastal communities. Marine Policy, 150, 105521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105521
- Herrmann SD, Willis EA, Ainsworth BE, Barreira TV, Hastert M, Kracht CL, Schuna Jr. JM, Cai Z, Quan M, Tudor-Locke C, Whitt-Glover MC, Jacobs DR. 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities: A third update of the energy costs of human activities. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024;13(1): 6-12.
