June 8 Is Free Fishing Day In Utah

June 8 will be a great day to take a kid fishing: It's Free Fishing Day in Utah.
Photo by Scott Root, Utah Division of Wildlife Reservoir

If you've always wanted to learn to fish, June 8th is the day to give it a try. On that day you can fish without a license on any water in Utah. All other regulations will be enforced.

Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources provided the information below:

Free Fishing Day is June 8

If you're looking for a fun activity that's outdoors and close to home, mark June 8 on your calendar.

June 8 is Free Fishing Day in Utah. You don't need a fishing license to fish in the state that day.

"Make plans now to take your family out and enjoy a free day of fishing," says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Cushing says early June is one of the best times of the year to fish in Utah. Fishing for warm water fish, including bluegill, catfish, white bass and smallmouth and largemouth bass, is just starting to pick up. And trout and other cold water fish are still active and available to catch.

Some of the best places to fish

Before Free Fishing Day, the DWR will place extra fish in waters across Utah. Most of the fish will be placed in lakes and reservoirs, so lakes and reservoirs should be good places to fish on June 8.

Utah's community fishing ponds are another good place to try. Before June 8, catfish that average 18 inches in length will be stocked into the ponds. "Catch one of these cats," Cushing says, "and you'll be in for a fun fight."

Depending on where you live, a community pond might be only a few minutes away. You can learn more about Utah's community fishing ponds at wildlife.utah.gov/cf.

Cushing says the DWR will keep stocking catfish into the ponds until the temperature cools in the fall. "Then we'll place trout in the ponds," he says.

Learn the rules

You don't need a license to fish on June 8, but all of the other rules in the state's fishing guidebook will still be in effect.

Cushing encourages you to get a copy of the 2013 Utah Fishing Guidebook and learn the rules. The free guidebook is available at wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks. Copies are also available at DWR offices and from fishing license agents across Utah.

"If you have any questions," he says, "please call the nearest DWR office. We'll be happy to help you out."

Many special events will be held at popular Utah fishing waters, including fishing clinics. In some spots fishing tackle will be provided for people who want to learn to fish.

See the complete DWR news release for more details.