Fish For Free On Saturday, June 9

In both Arizona and California, fishing lines will be out to catch “the big one” — for free!

Here At Home

On Free Fishing Day, you don’t have to have a license to try out fishing with your friends and family in Arizona. Even better, you can participate in clinics if you want to learn how to fish.

Arizona’s Free Fishing Day is set for Saturday, June 9 this year. There are clinics in the metropolitan area, or you can take the opportunity to get to higher and cooler lakes to participate in this program sponsored by Arizona Game and Fish.

Arizona’s Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week June 3-11, when hundreds of communities across the country host fishing and boating events to give families the opportunity to participate in these great outdoor pastimes.

During Arizona’s Free Fishing Day, you do not need a fishing license to fish any of Arizona’s public waters, including the urban lakes. Special fishing clinics and associated activities are set up across the state. For a list of the activities, visit Arizona Game and Fish online.

And In California Too

For those new to the sport of fishing and not sure whether it’s for them, California’s Department of Fish and Game offers two free fishing days each year. In 2007, the days are two Saturdays: June 9 and Sept. 22.

No license is required, and some department offices even offer clinics on free fishing days. There is also the popular “Fishing in the City” program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas — perhaps just a few blocks from your home.

The free days, the clinics, and the in-the-city fishing are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night! 

All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on the free fishing days.