Free Fishing Weekend This Saturday and Sunday

Twice a year, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offers Free Fishing Weekend, when anyone can fish, even if they don't have a fishing license. It's a great way to get the kids (or your significant other) out on the lake and show them how fun a day of fishing can be!

Free fishing weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, June 1st and 2nd. Anyone can fish for free without a license on Maine's waterways, except those who have had their license suspended or revoked.

Doug Rafferty of the IF and W says the fishing is free, but that doesn't mean that you can catch as many as you want. "Now, there are rules and regulations and so forth that you have to abide by" Doug says, "but for the most part, we're going to give everybody a a chance to get out there and experience just what it's like to be out there fishing and hopefully catching some of the fish we've got in this great state."

Maine is proud to be home to more than 90 percent of the wild brook trout found in lakes and ponds and also boasts exceptional landlocked salmon, brown and rainbow trout, small mouth bass, and plenty of other fish species that are great for children.

And that's what this weekend is all about, getting people to experience fishing for the first time. It's a perfect time to spend some family time, and Doug says, to share a fun experience with your kids. "It's a wonderful time to get the kids out, especially with the forecast for this weekend, it's a good time to be out of doors. And you never know, I've seen a lot of cases where the little ones have come home with a bigger fish than the big guys did!"

My boyfriend Jim is an avid fishermen who often competes in bass tournaments around the state. I, on the other hand, have only gone fishing a couple of times as a girl and have never caught a fish. He's determined that we're going out this weekend, and that I will, finally, catch a fish. If we go, I'll write a blog on Monday and tell you my fish tale!

For more information on Free Fishing Weekend, and for a complete list of fishing regulations, including limits and sizes, log onto the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's website.