Free Fishing Weekend brings fun events across the state June 7-8

On Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, everyone in Michigan – including residents and non-residents – can fish without a license, but all other fishing regulations still apply. Those two days make up the Summer Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will head out to fish for free on their own, there are many organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well. Some of these events include:

• 4th Annual Fishing Fest in DetroitThis event will be held Sunday, June 8, from noon to 4 p.m. Come to Milliken State Park for an afternoon of fun, including free food, free fishing rod rental, games and activities, instruction and much more. All gear is provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  
• 10th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament in CheboyganThis event will be held Saturday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit the DNR’s Cheboygan Field Office for this annual event geared toward kids age 16 and younger. Participants should be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing rod and life jacket. Bait is provided.
  
• Kids’ Fishing Contest at Goodrich Park in Muskegon CountyThis event will be held Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join the White Lake Area Sportfishing Association in Whitehall for this free event. Participants will be broken up into three age groups and will compete for prizes.
  
• Rice Lake Fishing Derby at Lake Linden in Houghton CountyThis event will be held Sunday, June 8, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Lake Linden-Hubbell Sportsmen's Association as they host a family fishing day. Prizes will be awarded for walleye and northern pike caught during the derby. Raffles and refreshments also will be provided.
  
• River Day throughout St. Clair CountyThis event will be held Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. River Day is a weekend full of free, fun activities on the land and in the water across the rivers of St. Clair County. This event is organized by the St. Clair County Health Department.

There are many more events scheduled in various locations throughout the state in more than 25 Michigan counties. For more information about the 2014 Summer Free Fishing Weekend please visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing.
Michigan has celebrated the Summer Free Fishing Weekend annually since 1986. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, more than 11,000 inland lakes, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match.