License-Free Fishing Day Saturday

People of all ages can cast their lines into 3 million acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs and 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals in Florida this weekend for License-Free Fishing Day.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scheduled the first of four license-free recreational fishing days on this holiday weekend so more people will have the chance to get out and try their luck, a Conservation Commission news release said.

This weekend coincides with a productive freshwater fishing period, when the weather is usually pleasant. Many of Florida’s recreational sport fishes, such as black bass, bluegill and redear sunfish, move into the shallows to spawn during spring, making them more available for anglers to catch.

According to the Conservation Commission, besides enjoying the fun of reeling in a fish, people find that recreational fishing is a good motivator to enjoy the great outdoors. 

The Conservation Commission also made June 2 and Sept. 1 license-free saltwater fishing days and set June 9 as the second license-free freshwater fishing day. These days coincide with a holiday weekend, National Fishing and Boating Week or open-harvest seasons for popular bay scallops, lobster and king mackerel, the news release said.

All other bag limit, season and size restrictions apply on these dates for recreational, not commercial, fishing.