Fish for free!

Saturday, June 8 is Free Fishing Day in Idaho.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game invites novice anglers of all ages - residents and non-residents - 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 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 24 straight years, so youngsters will have a chance to catch their first fish.

Rathdrum's Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with IDFG, will hold a free youth fishing derby from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 8 at City Park. It is open to youth up to 16. Prizes will be available. Fishing poles will be provided to those who don't have one. Rathdrum Creek will be socked with more than 800 fish for the event.

Registration will be at Rathdrum's rec department, 7851 Main St., until 4 p.m. Friday, June 7, or starting at 8:30 a.m. at the park. Information: 687-2399

Other clinics have been scheduled for 9 a.m. until noon at:

• Post Falls, Falls Park;

• Enaville, Steamboat Ponds;

• Harrison, Harrison Marina, co-sponsored with Harrison Marina;

• 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;

• Mullan, Lucky Friday Pond;

• Priest Lake, Priest Lake Golf Course, co-sponsored with Priest Lake Golf Course, Priest Lake Sportsman's Association and Priest Lake Employees Association; and

• 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, complicated regulations 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. 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.

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 8. 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.

Phil Cooper is the wildlife conservation educator at Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Ask Fish and Game: Revocation means no free fishing

Q. If I don't need a fishing license on Free Fishing Day, does that mean I can fish if my license has been revoked?

A. No. When the court revokes someone's hunting, fishing or trapping privileges for a period of time, it means just that, the privileges are revoked, whether they need a license or not. It is illegal for anyone to hunt, fish, or trap or purchase a license to do so during the time the privilege is revoked.