Nonprofit spreads the peace, thrill of fishing on Belle Isle

At Belle Isle's Lake Okonoka, a free fishing lesson drew families from Detroit as part of We Fixin to Fish's outreach. Five-year-old JaKari West rummaged the foam bait box, naming each wriggler before volunteers helped him bait, cast, and reel. The day featured safety tips and basic techniques, with rods and tackle donated by local sporting goods stores and bait shops. West even reeled in a pumpkinseed before 11 a.m.

Tracey Webb founded We Fixin to Fish in 2020 with her sister Deborah in Detroit's Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, drawn by a family fishing heritage. The group has taught more than 7,000 people, mostly children, in six years and now visits schools and child care centers to share casting skills and patience through playful activities. They also run a community garden, We Fixin to Grow, on Marlborough Street to broaden impact.

Mentors say fishing yields more than catches, shaping character and connections. Webb recalled a child thanking her for the first bite, and both sisters described the moment as emotionally powerful. The program emphasizes patience, responsibility, and respect for nature, offering Detroit families a constructive outlet in a noisy urban environment and helping kids learn transferable life skills alongside angling.