Go ahead and cast a line out this Saturday. It won't cost a thing. Not in the license department, anyway.
Game wardens will be out helping kids thread worms and putting on sinkers, not checking licenses . . . because no license is necessary. Saturday is Utah's annual "Free Fishing Day."All of Utah's state parks will also offer free access on Saturday. Residents and no-residents may visit one or several parks on Saturday and the regular $3 day-use entrance fee will be waived. The regular overnight camping fee will be charged to those staying overnight.
For those throwing lures and baits into waters within state boundaries, however, the only required equipment is a fishing pool, line and hook.
All of the regular fishing regulation, however, will be enforced. That is, no more than one fishing pole at a time, no live baits and no more fish than the law allows.
This will be the fifth year that Utah has held a free day of fishing. The purpose was to introduce those who wanted to try fishing but didn't want to pay the license fee to do it, and to re-introduce those who may not have fished in years. For example, adults who many not have had a fishing pole in their hands since they were youngsters going out with their dads.
The event is sponsored by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Division of Parks and Recreation, and is held in conjunction with National Fishing Week and National Safe Boating Week.
The U.S. Forest Service, along with several outdoor groups, fishing clubs and sporting goods stores, will be out and around at various lakes and reservoirs offering tips and instruction.
Some of the activities include:
The Coalville Fishing Derby will be at Echo Reservoir Saturday and Sunday (a license will be required on this day). The derby will begin at 5:30 a.m. and run to 5 p.m. each day. A prize of $50 will be given away hourly for the largest fish checked in. Also, there will be a cash prize of $200 for the largest fish caught each day and $500 to the largest over the two days. There is a $6 entry fee.
The Utah Bass Federation will host free seminars at the Farmington Ponds on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be free drinks and prizes.
The U.S. Forest Service will also open up its campgrounds at no charge for day use. The exceptions will be Pleasant Grove and the Spanish Fork Ranger District.
The Duchesne and Roosevelt Ranger Districts, on cooperation with the Duchesne County Areas Chamber of Commerce, are holding a children's fishing and casting contest at Uinta Pond in Uinta Canyon. Prizes will be given to those young fishermen with the largest catch of the day.
The Flaming Gorge Ranger District and Daggett County Search and Rescue will hold a fishing derby at Flaming Gorge.
The Vernal Ranger District, along with Gart Brothers and the Vernal Jaycees, are sponsoring fishing derbies at Red Fleet Reservoir and Kids' canal.
And the Mountain View and Evanston ranger districts will hold a kid's derby at Quarter Corner Lake.
The Salt Lake County Fish and Game will be helping out at the Wheeler Farm pond on Saturday. Poles will be supplied for those without.
There will also be a fishing derby at Strawberry Reservoir, followed by hot air balooning, mountain biking and fishing clinics.