Fish for Free on June 9

A free day of fishing and fun awaits June 9, as Utah hosts its annual Free Fishing Day.

You won’t need a fishing license to fish in the state that day.

“Fishing is an activity that everyone in your family can enjoy,”
says Roger Wilson, coldwater fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “We offer Free Fishing Day every year to attract people to an activity that can make the time they spend in the outdoors even more rewarding.”

Before Free Fishing Day, DWR personnel will stock extra fish into waters across the state. Wilson says most of the fish will be placed in lakes and reservoirs.

Wilson reminds anglers that while they don’t need a license to fish on June 9, all of the other regulations in the 2007 Utah Fishing Guide will still be in effect. Anglers, especially those who might be fishing for the first time, are encouraged to obtain a copy of the guide and learn the rules.

Guides are available at the DWR’s Web site
(www.wildlife.utah.gov/proclamations) and from fishing license agents and DWR offices.

Several free fishing events for kids will be held on Free Fishing Day.
Among those the DWR will be involved with are the following:

NORTHERN UTAH

LOGAN

Free Fishing Day & Bear River Celebration. The event will be held at Willow Park, 419 W. 700 S. in Logan.

This event is free. The fishing portion of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is for children 14 years of age and younger.
Activities include fly tying, fish printing and casting lessons.
Fishing equipment will be provided, but those who have their own equipment are encouraged to bring it. Free t shirts and prize bags will be given to the first 200 participants. The Division of Wildlife Resources’ Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area is among several organizations and groups that are sponsoring the event. For more information, call Marni Lee at (435) 753-6206.


NORTH-CENTRAL UTAH

MIDWAY

“Kid’s Fishing Event,” Wasatch Mountain State Park pond, about 2 miles west of Midway.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited, and children who want to participate must register in advance by calling Wendy Wilson at (435) 654-1791.

The park’s pond will be stocked with rainbow trout before the event.
A presentation that teaches kids about fish and fishing will be given to participants beginning at 9 a.m. After completing the presentation, kids can fish at the pond. Volunteers from the Division of Wildlife Resource’s Dedicated Hunter program will be available to help kids fish and to clean their fish.

Fishing poles, equipment and bait will be available for kids who don’t have their own.


PROVO

The Second Annual Utah Lake Festival will be held at Utah Lake State Park.

Fishing equipment will be available for use at no charge, and a fishing workshop will be held at 10 a.m. in the state park’s visitor center.
At the workshop, expert anglers will share their fishing tips and great locations in Utah to fish, demonstrate their favorite lures and fishing techniques, and swap fishing stories with those who attend!

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but fishing equipment will be available beginning at 7 a.m. Festival activities include free boat rides; a water ski show; a canoeing workshop and excursions; a fishing simulator; vendor booths and arts activities for the kids; storytelling by Robert Carter; scrumptious food by Los Hermanos; live music from great local artists, and many other activities.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there is no fee to visit Utah Lake State Park and the festival. The festival offers a chance to get outside and enjoy Utah Lake, experience its many recreational opportunities and offerings, and learn about the lake’s ecosystem, native species and the importance of stewardship of the lake.

For more information about the festival, please visit www.junesuckerrecovery.org or contact Bethany at (801) 364-0088, ext.
109.


NORTHEASTERN UTAH

Three Free Fishing Day events for kids of all ages will be held in northeastern Utah.

Events:

Pelican Lake, Uintah County, 8 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management, the Uintah Basin Bass Club, XRQ 94 Radio and the DWR.

Moose Ponds, Daggett County, 9 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the U.S.
Forest Service and the DWR.

Lower Stillwater Ponds on Rock Creek, Duchesne County. Should run from
9 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the DWR.

Boats will be available at Pelican Lake to take kids out on the water and give them a chance to fish from a boat. Participants should bring their own fishing poles if they have them, but a limited number of poles will be available at the Pelican Lake and Moose Pond sites for those who don’t have a pole but would like to try fishing. Fishing demonstrations will also be provided at the Pelican Lake and Moose Pond events.

All three events are “fun” events, and the organizers have arraigned for prizes and other give-aways for the younger children that drop by.

For more information, contact any of the sponsors or the DWR’s Vernal office at (435) 781-9453.


SOUTHWESTERN UTAH

CEDAR CITY

The Division of Wildlife Resources will sponsor a fishing event at Kid’s Pond on the Wood’s Ranch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kids 12 years of age and younger are invited to come to the pond and fish for free. A fishing license is not required, and fishing equipment will be available for kids who don’t have their own equipment. DWR personnel and volunteers will also be available to help kids fish.

Kids Pond is 12 miles outside of Cedar City, up Cedar Canyon (SR-14) above the Wood’s Ranch pavilion.

For more information, call the DWR’s Cedar City office at (435) 865-6100.


TROPIC

Free Fishing Day at Tropic Reservoir near Bryce Canyon National Park.

This free event, which runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon, is for children of all ages. Activities include a casting contest where prizes will be awarded. Bait will be provided, and a limited number of fishing rods will be available. Those who have their own equipment are encouraged to bring it. Instructors also will be available to help beginning anglers.

To reach the reservoir, travel on SR-12 and turn south at the road to the King Creek Campground. The road to the campground is about three miles west of the junction to Bryce Canyon National Park off SR-12.

The event is sponsored by the Dixie National Forest, the Division of Wildlife Resources, Wal-Mart, and Coke and Pepsi distributors.

For more information, call Jake Schoppe at (435) 676-9300.