If you'd like to give fishing a try—but you don't have a fishing license—grab a fishing pole and head to your nearest fishing water on June 11.
June 11 is Free Fishing Day in Utah. You don't need a fishing license to fish in the state that day.
Even if you have a license, mark June 11 on your calendar. Free Fishing Day is a perfect day and way to introduce family members and friends—who don't have a license—to fishing.
Drew Cushing, Aquatic Section chief for the Division of Wildlife Resources, hopes to see lots of anglers, especially new anglers, at the state's waters on June 11. "Fishing is a great way to escape the hectic pace of life, and relax," he says. "It's a fun activity, and it's probably closer to your home than you think. Many Utahns are surprised to learn how many good fishing waters are only a short drive from their house."
In addition to holding Free Fishing Day during a time when the weather is usually pleasant, holding the day in early June puts you at the state's waters during a great time to fish in Utah. Fishing for warm water fish, including bluegill, catfish, and smallmouth and largemouth bass, is as good as it gets in early June. And trout and other cold water fish are still active and available to catch.
The best places to fish
They'll attract lots of anglers, but Utah's community fishing ponds should be excellent places to fish on Free Fishing Day. Before June 11, channel catfish—up to 18 inches in length—will be stocked into the ponds. "Catfish are known for their fighting ability," Cushing says. "When a catfish takes your bait, it will hug the bottom and fight being caught. Catch one of these cats, and you'll have a fun fight on your hands."
Depending on where you live, a community pond might be only a few minutes away. You can learn more about the ponds at www.wildlife.utah.gov/cf.
Community fishing ponds aren't the only place that will receive fish before June 11. DWR hatchery personnel will place extra fish in waters across Utah. Most of the fish will be placed in lakes and reservoirs, making these good places to try on Free Fishing Day.
Learn the rules
You don't need a license to fish on June 11, but all of the other rules in the 2016 Utah Fishing Guidebook will still be in effect. You can get the free guidebook at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks. Copies are also available at DWR offices and from fishing license agents across Utah.
"If you have any questions," Cushing says, "please call the nearest DWR office. We'd be happy to help you out."
Special events
Several free fishing events will be held on Free Fishing Day. The following are the events the DWR will be involved with:
NORTHERN UTAH
LOGAN
Skylar's Pond
The Bear River Celebration and Free Fishing Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the pond, which is located in Willow Park. The park is at 450 W. 700 S.
People of all ages can enjoy fishing for free at the pond. And kids can fish with a cop! Fishing equipment will be available to check out and use, and law enforcement officers from the Cache Valley area will be available to help first-time anglers fish.
Special interactive activity booths will also be available for those 4 to 18 years of age. The first 200 youths who visit the booths and complete their "Bear River Adventure Passport" will receive a free gift. The interactive booths will help young people discover the joys of fishing and learn the importance of good water quality and responsible recreation in the Bear River Watershed. Youths can tie their own fishing fly, experience how rivers and streams are formed, go "buggy over bugs," stamp prints of fish, build miniature beavers and much more.
For more information, e-mail Nicaela Haig with the Division of Wildlife Resources at nhaig@utah.gov or visit http://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/annual-events/briverceleb.
BOUNTIFUL
Bountiful Pond
You can "Fish with a Cop" from 9 – 11 a.m. at this pond located just west of Legacy Highway in Bountiful.
DWR conservation officers and officers with the Woods Cross Police Department will be available to teach you how to fish and help you catch fish.
The event is free. Bait will be provided. If you have your own fishing rod and reel, please bring it with you. If you don't have one, no problem—rods and reels will be available for you to use.
For more information, call James Abbott with the DWR at 801-698-9068 or Stephanie Gonzales with the Wood Cross Police Department at 801-292-4422, extension 3.
NORTHEASTERN UTAH
Two Free Fishing Day events, for anglers of all ages, will be held in northeastern Utah:
- Moose Ponds in Daggett County, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Lower Stillwater Ponds on Rock Creek in Duchesne County, 9 a.m. to noon.
If you have your own fishing pole, please bring it to the events. If you don't have your own pole, no problem—a limited number of poles will be available to use. Personnel from the sponsoring agencies will also be available to answer questions about fish and fishing, and to help you catch fish.
Each event should be a fun activity for anglers of all ages and the whole family!
The Division of Wildlife Resources, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are sponsoring the events. For more information, contact any of the sponsors or the DWR's Vernal office at 435-781-9453.
EAST-CENTRAL UTAH
WELLINGTON
Knight-Ideal Community Fishing Pond
A Free Fishing Day event will be held from 8 – 11 a.m. at the Knight-Ideal Community Fishing Pond, 850 E. 300 S. in Wellington. The event is free.
The DWR will place additional fish in the pond before the event. Rods, reels and bait will be provided. And DWR personnel will be available to teach you how to fish and help you catch fish.
For more information, call the DWR's Price office at 435-613-3700.
SOUTHWESTERN UTAH
BEAVER
Little Reservoir
To reach the reservoir, travel east out of Beaver on 200 North. (This road becomes state Route 153.) The reservoir is six miles up Beaver Canyon, on the right hand side of the road.
Prizes will be offered, and some fishing equipment will be available to check out and use. DWR personnel and volunteers will also be on hand to help youngsters fish and to help them keep their hooks baited.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call the DWR's Cedar City office at 435-865‑6100.
CEDAR CITY
Leigh Hill Reservoir
Leigh Hill Reservoir is one of Utah's community fisheries. To reach the reservoir, follow Cedar City's Royal Hunt Drive to the top of Leigh Hill.
Prizes will be offered and some fishing equipment will be available to check out and use. DWR personnel and volunteers will also be on hand to help youngsters fish and to help them keep their hooks baited.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife is cosponsoring the event.
For more information, call the DWR's Cedar City office at 435-865‑6100.
HURRICANE
Grandpa's Pond
Grandpa's Pond is one of Utah's community fisheries. To reach the pond, follow State Street in Hurricane to the west of town, and then turn north on 3700 West. Continue north on 3700 West until the pavement ends.
Prizes will be offered and some fishing equipment will be available to check out and use. Anglers from Southern Utah Anglers and additional volunteers will also be on hand to help youngsters fish and to help them keep their hooks baited.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Southern Utah Anglers is cosponsoring the event.
For more information, call the DWR's Cedar City office at 435-865-6100.
Contact: Mark Hadley, DWR Relations with the Public Specialist, 801-538-4737
