Fishing

Fishing events were held at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, alongside the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. However, the sport has never been on the Olympic Programme. Although fishing is a popular recreation, and some contests in fishing are also popular, such as the Bassmaster Classics in the United States, it will not be held at the Olympic Games anytime soon.

As a competitive sport, fishing is currently governed by the Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive (CIPS), probably better known today by its English name, International Sport Fishing Confederation, which was founded on 22 February 1952. As of January 2026, one international fishing organization and 152 National Federations from 78 countries are members of the CIPS.

The International Casting Sport Federation (ICSF) is an associated member of the CIPS. Overseen by the ICSF, casting competitions have been contested officially at the World Games, always with multiple events, from 1981-1985 and from 1993-2005 (the 1981 edition included only men’s events, but all other appearances included events for both genders). These presences at the World Games included: a men’s allround casting event in 1981; fly casting events from 1981-1985 and 1993-2005; multiplier events from 1981-1985 and 1993-2001; and spinning events from 1981-1985 and 1993-1997, and also in 2005.