June 1, 2017

MDIFW NEWS - Free Fishing Weekend is June 3 & 4

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is encouraging everyone to get out on Maine?s waters this weekend to take advantage of free fishing days.

Free fishing weekend will take place on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4, when any person may fish for free without a license on Maine?s waterways, except those who have had their license suspended or revoked.

All other rules and regulations, including bag and possession limits, apply.

?Fishing always provides great memories, especially when you help a child experience the joys of fishing for the first time,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Free fishing weekend is the perfect time for people of all ages to try their hand at fishing and see why the sport is such a beloved Maine tradition.?

Fishing is one of the most popular ways to enjoy Maine?s great outdoors. There are wonderful fishing opportunities throughout the state on the nearly 6,000 lakes and ponds and more than 30,000 miles of rivers and streams.

?It?s our hope that families would take advantage of this weekend, and of what Maine has to offer,? said Chandler Woodcock, Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. ?Introducing new or young anglers to the sport is a great way to carry on the tradition of fishing in Maine and to teach the importance of conservation and wise use of our natural resources.?

The Department stocks more than 1 million fish each year and manages more than 20 species of freshwater game fish.

The Department also offers a free ice fishing weekend in February each year.

For a complete list of fishing regulations, including limits and sizes, visit mefishwildlife.com

For more information on fishing opportunities in Maine, visit maine.gov/ifw/fishing/opportunities/index.htm

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries of Wildlife (MDIFW) preserves, protects, and enhances the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state. Established in 1880 to protect big game populations, MDIFW has since evolved in scope to include protection and management of fish, non-game wildlife, and habitats, as well as restoration of endangered species like the bald eagle. In addition to its conservation duties, MDIFW is also responsible for enabling and promoting the safe enjoyment of Maine?s outdoors ? from whitewater rafting to boating, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The agency?s constituents include the fish, wildlife, and people who call Maine home, as well as the visiting outdoor enthusiasts and ecotourists who call Maine Vacationland and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the state?s economy.