Idaho Fish and Game’s Free Fishing Day on June 9 is exactly as it sounds: a chance for anyone to grab a rod and go fishing with no license required.
At many locations, you don’t even need a rod, tackle or bait. Just show up and Fish and Game employees and volunteers will loan you gear and show you how to catch a fish.
Here's a list of events in Eastern Idaho on Saturday:
Southeast Region
- Bannock Reservoir (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Grace Fish Hatchery (limited to anglers 14 and under, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Upper Kelly Park Pond (limited to anglers age 13 and under, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Edson Fichter Pond (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Upper Snake Region
- Becker Pond (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Mill Creek Pond, Mill Pond (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Rexburg City Ponds (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Trail Creek Pond, Victor Kids Pond (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
The department will stock trout in select locations before the event to increase your chances of landing a fish.
Free Fishing Day events aren't the only way to learn how to fish. Fish and Game’s “Take me Fishing Trailers” are loaded with loaner rods and tackle, and Take Me Fishing Trailer events let you try fishing without having to first buy a license. Events are held throughout June, July and August.
Free Fishing Day and Take Me Fishing trailers are great opportunities to learn firsthand why fishing is one of Idaho’s favorite activities, and a fun way to spend time with your family and learn how to catch your own dinner.
While Free Fishing Day temporarily waives the requirement for a fishing license, all other rules such as bag limits and other restrictions still apply.
While the day is intended to give folks an opportunity to try fishing without having to spend money up front, fishing remains a very affordable, year-round activity. To keep fishing, anyone age 14 and older needs to buy a daily license, or an annual license, both of which are available at vendors throughout the state, or an annual license can be bought through Fish and Game's online vendor.
Fishing in Idaho is a convenient way to get outside, and many fishing spots are easily available near urban and rural areas. Community ponds make for easy fishing trips close to home, while rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs make excellent weekend trips or vacation destinations.
Idaho also has a large variety of game fish, from palm-sized bluegill that are a great way to teach kids fishing, up to sturgeon that are decades old and measured in feet rather than inches or pounds.
