Free Fishing Day in Texas this Saturday
Free fishing makes its return to Texas Saturday, June 4, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s annual Free Fishing Day.
Anglers, fishing enthusiasts or anyone just looking to spend some time outdoors will not need a license to fish on public waters in Texas, a move designed to promote Texas fishing and conservation.
Craig Bonds, TPWD inland fisheries director, said the day is a chance for those without a fishing license to try fishing out.
“Free Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for anglers to share their knowledge, skills, equipment, and love for fishing with a new participant, yet it’s also more than that,” Bonds said.
Bonds said another goal of the day is to bring awareness to everything TPWD does year-round. He also said he hopes the day educates people on the impact getting a fishing license can have.
“We hope those trying fishing on this special day will also learn that purchasing a license is an act of conservation. A fishing license purchase is one of the simplest and most effective way people can support fisheries science and management,” Bonds said.
For Wichita Falls residents and visitors hoping to get in on the action, the city is home to one of Texas’ 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes.
The Neighborhood Fishin’ program aims to bring accessible fishing experiences to urban Texans without forcing them to drive far. Wichita Falls’ lake is at South Weeks Park, 2005 Southwest Pkwy. Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are stocked every two to four weeks and can be fished on without a license June 4 as part of Free Fishing Day.
For local events to participate in for Free Fishing day, inland fisheries District Supervisor Robert Mauk said, “Lake Arrowhead state park is easy number one. They put on a kids’ fishing event that day and they also have an adult rough fishing contest that day.”
The event, known as the Annual Mark Howell Memorial Fishing Rodeo, provides opportunities for both kids and adults to compete in age-bracketed fishing competitions. Tackle and bait are available for loan to kids under 16.
The Kid’s Fish portion runs 10 a.m. to noon, while the Adult Rough Fish event goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and has a $2 entry fee. Although the event is scheduled to coincide with Free Fishing Day, Texas state parks have free fishing year-round and require only the park’s admission fee to be paid before fishing.
Mauk said he hopes the event gets people excited about fishing and encourages them to fish with people they care about.
“I just urge people to take advantage of it, get out spend some time with friends and family, and take up the sport if they aren’t currently anglers,” Mauk said.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: TPWD Free Fishing Day in Texas this Saturday
