A fishing license is not required on Free Fishing Day, Saturday, June 8. If it’s been years since going out fishing, or one has never fished before, mark the date on the fishing calendar.

Randy Oplinger says even experienced anglers should mark June 8 on their calendars. He says early June is one of the best times of the year to fish in Utah, which makes Free Fishing Day the perfect time to take someone who doesn’t have a fishing license fishing.

“Bring a spouse, a teenager or a friend to introduce to fishing,” says Oplinger, sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, “Free Fishing Day is a great day and way to do it.”

Special events

People who don’t have any fishing equipment, or would like some help fishing can attend one of the special events planned to take place that day.

Oplinger says, “Volunteers who can help anyone fish will be available at most events. Before the events, many of these waters will be stocked with fish.”

To discover where the events are, which the DWR is involved with, anglers can learn more by visiting the DWR’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UtahDWR.

Fishing basics

If the plan is to pick up a rod and reel and fish on June 8, several websites provide videos and other instruction that teach the basics of fishing. One of the best is www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/how-to-catch-fish.

Fishing reports

Anglers can stay updated on fishing in Utah, by reading the DWR’s fishing reports at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots.

Two additional websites: http://www.bigfishtackle.com and http://utahwildlife.net also provide up-to-date fishing information.

Learn the rules

Anglers won’t need a license to fish on June 8, but the remaining fishing rules in Utah will be in effect. The rules are available in the 2019 Utah Fishing Guidebook. To get the free guidebook visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.

“If anyone has questions about a rule or about fishing in Utah,” Oplinger says, “please give our offices a call. We’d be happy to help.”

A list of DWR offices is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/about-us/contact-us.html.

Community Lake

The U.S. Forest Service is sponsoring a Free Fishing Day event which includes a fishing contest. It will be held at Community Lake (sometimes called Lake Hill Pond), in Ephraim Canyon, about five miles east of Ephraim.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The fishing contest starts at 10 a.m. Food and prizes will be available. Anglers must bring their own fishing equipment and bait. Before the event, the DWR will stock the pond with trout.

For more information, call the Sanpete Ranger District office at (435) 283-4151.