A fisherman is someone who catches fish, either as their job or as a hobby. For thousands of years, fishermen have supplied communities with food from oceans, rivers, and lakes. Some fishermen wake before dawn to sail out in boats, casting nets or lines into deep water. Others stand on riverbanks or docks, patiently waiting for a tug on their fishing rod.

Commercial fishermen make their living from the sea, often spending days or weeks on fishing vessels, bringing back tons of fish to sell at markets. Recreational fishermen fish for sport and relaxation, enjoying the quiet challenge of outsmarting a clever trout or the excitement of reeling in a struggling bass.

The work requires knowledge and skill: understanding where fish gather, what bait they prefer, which techniques work in different conditions, and how to read weather and water. A Maine lobster fisherman needs completely different expertise than someone fishing for catfish in a Missouri creek.

While “fisherman” traditionally referred to men, today plenty of women fish professionally and recreationally too. Some people use fisher or angler as gender-neutral alternatives, though fisherman remains the most common term.