Idaho Free Fishing Day is June 9
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Loren Torok, 14, pulls a bass from the water after hooking it Monday, May 7 on Hayden Lake during an outing with his older brother and father.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Saturday, June 9 is Free Fishing Day in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game invites novice anglers of all ages (residents and nonresidents alike) to celebrate the day by fishing any public waters in Idaho without a license.
Although fishing license requirements are suspended for this special day, all other rules remain in effect. These include such rules as bag and length limits or special fishing regulations. Regulations brochures are available free at local sporting goods stores and other retailers.
Free fishing day provides a great opportunity for novices to give fishing a try and perhaps develop a lifelong pursuit. Parents are encouraged to bring their children out for a day of fun and excitement at this annual event.
To help beginning anglers, the IDFG is sponsoring a number of fishing clinics throughout the state. IDFG personnel will be on hand to answer questions and help beginning anglers learn about terminal tackle, casting and fishing techniques, and fish identification. Some fishing tackle and bait will be available for persons who do not have their own gear.
Eleven clinics have been scheduled in the Idaho Panhandle, so there is a location convenient to everyone in the region. While they are oriented toward beginning anglers, all anglers are welcomed to attend.
One early bird clinic is scheduled in Coeur d'Alene at Ponderosa Springs Golf Course from 7-11 a.m. The owners have generously agreed to close the course for that period for 23 straight years, so youngsters will have a chance to catch their first fish.
Other clinics have been scheduled for 9 a.m. until noon at:
Bonners Ferry - Snow Creek Pond, Co-sponsored with Bonner's Ferry Lions Club
Calder - Calder Pond, Co-sponsored with U.S. Forest Service
Clark Fork - Clark Fork Lodge, Co-sponsored with Clark Fork Lodge
Enaville - Steamboat Ponds
Mullan - Lucky Friday Pond
Post Falls - Post Falls Park Pond
Priest Lake - Priest Lake Golf Course, Co-sponsored with Priest Lake Golf Course, Priest Lake Sportsman's Assoc. and Priest Lake Employees Assoc.
Rathdrum - Rathdrum City Park, Co-sponsored with Rathdrum Parks and Recreation
Sandpoint - Round Lake State Park.
As IDFG would like to see everyone catch fish, rainbow trout are being stocked in each location for the clinics and should provide for good fishing. Limited equipment will be available for use, however, anyone with tackle of their own is encouraged to bring it along. In past years some folks have had to wait for others to finish fishing so they could use the limited equipment.
You are invited to come anytime during the clinics. IDFG staff and volunteers along with personnel from other agencies, organizations and sportsman groups will be on hand to provide instruction and assistance as needed or requested.
Nationwide, the number of anglers is increasing. However, the percentage of the population that fishes is decreasing. This is attributed to a number of factors including a decrease of leisure time, parents with little time to fish or limited knowledge of fishing, urbanization, and loss of "fishing holes" to development.
When a lack of money for licenses or equipment; lack of knowledge, experience or a place to go are part of the reason for not fishing, Free Fishing Day is the ticket to a day of outdoor fun. The IDFG sponsored clinics will help new anglers learn fishing skills with all the needed tackle provided. Each year hundreds of Idahoans and visitors attend the clinics and thousands turn out statewide to fish without a license.
It is important to note that all regulations other than license requirements still apply on June 9. Everyone fishing in the state must stay within regular limits on number and size of fish and may only fish in waters open on June 9. Some neighboring states have free fishing for two consecutive days; however, Idaho's Free Fishing Day is only one day.
Give fishing a try on this special day. All it will cost is the gas or pedal power to get to an Idaho lake or stream. You may find you become "hooked for life" on Idaho fishing!