Free Fishing Day offered for all anglers

By Jared Eborn, Deseret News

Published: Wednesday, June 2 2010 5:23 p.m. MDT

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Fermin Mendoza fishes near Mona. This weekend offers a special chance to get on the water with Free Fishing Day.

Brian Nicholson, El Observador de Utah

Summary

Thinking about taking the kids fishing or just taking it easy with while you wet a line?

But you don't have a license and you're not sure you want to get one?

Well, you're in luck.

Saturday is Free Fishing Day in Utah with numerous events across the state designed to introduce — or re-introduce — the sport to anglers of all levels in the Beehive State.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has spent the past few weeks stocking lakes and ponds across the state to ensure a successful day chasing trout, catfish or a number of other species of fish in Utah's waters.

Drew Cushing, water sports fisheries coordinator for the DWF, said this is a perfect weekend to enjoy the sport.

"Fishing at many of our mid-elevation reservoirs is really good right now," Cushing said. "As the spring runoff recedes, fishing will pick up at the state's rivers and streams, too."

You may not need a license to fish on June 5, but Cushing reminds you that all other rules in the state's fishing guidebook will still be in effect.

Here's a look at some of the sponsored activities associated with Free Fishing Day.

Special fishing events:

Northern Utah

Logan — The Bear River Celebration and Free Fishing Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skylar's Pond.

The pond is in Willow Park, 419 W. 700 South.

People of all ages can enjoy free fishing at the pond. Fishing equipment will be available to check out and use. Volunteers will also be available to help first-time anglers fish.

Special interactive activity booths will also be available for those ages 4 to 18 years old. The first 250 youths who visit the booths and complete their "passport to fun" will receive a free T-shirt. The interactive booths will give young people a chance to discover the joys of fishing and learn the importance of good water quality. Youths can tie their own woolly bugger, experience how rivers and streams are formed, explore the life cycles of fish, go "buggy over bugs," make fish prints, learn to cast a fishing lure and much more.

North-central Utah

Murray — "Family Fishing Derby" at Willow Park Pond in Murray.