If you’d like to introduce someone to fishing—or you’d like to give fishing a try, but you don’t have a fishing license—mark June 9 on your calendar.
June 9 is Free Fishing Day in Utah. You don’t need a fishing license to fish in the state that day.
Randy Oplinger says Free Fishing Day is a great day not only for beginning anglers but for experienced anglers too.
“Because you don’t need a license to fish that day,” says Oplinger, sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, “it’s the perfect time to take someone fishing with you and introduce them to the sport. And, if you don’t have a license, it’s the perfect time to pick up a fishing pole and give fishing a try.”
Another great thing is Free Fishing Day is held at the start of June. “Early June is one of the best times to fish in Utah,” Oplinger says. “All of the fish in the state, both warm water fish and coldwater fish, are active and willing to bite this time of the year.”
*Special events*
If you don’t have any fishing equipment—or you do, but you’d like some help fishing—special events are the place to be.
“At most of the events,” Oplinger says, “equipment will be available for you to use. And volunteers will be on hand, to help you and your kids fish. Also, many of these waters will be stocked with fish before the event, so there should be plenty of fish to catch.”
*Southeastern Utah*
Wildlife & Wardens event at the Carbon County Community Fishing Pond, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The pond is in Price at 450 S. Fairgrounds Road. Division of Wildlife Resources’ conservation officers and Carbon County Sheriff’s deputies will be available to help young anglers catch fish. Youngsters can also shoot bows and arrows and learn about wildlife at several learning stations. Lunch will be provided.
*Fishing basics*
If you’re going to pick up a rod and reel and fish on your own on June 9, hop on the Internet before June 9 and check out the many instructional websites and videos that teach the basics of fishing. A good place to start is www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/how-to-catch-fish.
*Community fishing ponds*
You’ll likely have company on June 9, but waters in communities across Utah—called community fishing ponds—are great places for beginning anglers to fish. The ponds are close to home, most have restrooms and other facilities, and many of them will be stocked with channel catfish—averaging 14 inches long—before June 9.
You can learn more about the ponds at www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing-in-utah/community-fisheries.html.
*Fishing reports*
You can stay updated on fishing at these waters, and other waters in Utah, by reading the DWR’s fishing reports at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots.
Two additional websites—bigfishtackle.com and utahwildlife.net—also provide up-to-date fishing information.
*Learn the rules*
You don’t need a license to fish on June 9, but the remaining fishing rules in Utah will be in effect. The rules are available in the 2018 Utah Fishing Guidebook. You can get the free guidebook at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.
“If you have questions about a rule or about fishing in Utah,” Oplinger says, “please give our offices a call. We’d be happy to help you.”
A list of DWR offices is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/about-us/contact-us.html.