This opportunity provides an excellent family activity and is the perfect time to get outdoors and introduce kids to fishing. Photo: Courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

UTAH – If you’ve always wanted to try and fish in one of Utah’s countless waterbodies, but haven’t bought a license to do so, free fishing day is the perfect opportunity to try. Free Fishing Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, and any individual is welcome to fish any public waterbody in Utah without a license.

Coordinated by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Free Fishing Day is a great family activity and offers an easy way to get outdoors and try fishing one of Utah’s pristine waterbodies. It’s an ideal day for beginner anglers to give fishing a try, as a fishing license is required any other day of the year.

“Because you don’t need a license to fish that day, it’s the perfect time to take someone with you and introduce them to this fun sport,” said Randy Oplinger, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources sportfish coordinator. “Early June is one of the best times to fish in Utah. All of the fish in the state, both warmwater and coldwater species, are active and willing to bite this time of the year.”

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If you are taking someone fishing for their first time, you can commemorate their first catch with a fun DWR certificate. You can print out the certificate at home and fill in the details to document the occasion.

The DWR will be stocking several community ponds with rainbow trout a few days prior to Free Fishing Day, in hopes to provide everyone with the opportunity to catch a fish in a close-to-home spot. There are 57 community ponds throughout Utah, and all of these are mapped on the DWR website. To help maintain good fishing through the hot, summer months, the DWR will also stock channel catfish into several community ponds around the state.

In addition to community ponds, there are also countless numbers of public lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers that offer great fishing. If you prefer fishing in more remote areas or a larger body of water, you can visit the Fish Utah map on the DWR website to find a fishing spot with the qualities you’re seeking.

It is important to note that while you don’t need a fishing license to fish on June 10, all other Utah fishing rules will still be in effect. Make sure to know the rules and the catch limits in whatever waterbody you are fishing, and all of these rules can be found on the 2023 Utah Fishing Guidebook. And wherever you go fishing on Free Fishing Day, remember to recreate responsibly by packing out what you pack in and keeping the area free of trash.