OHIO — Ohio residents 16 and older will be able to fish in any of Ohio's public waterways without a license for one weekend only.
The Ohio Division of Natural Resources said anglers can cast their lines for free on June 19-20, which is also Father's Day weekend.
Areas eligible to fish in include Lake Erie and the Ohio River.
“All Ohioans are invited to enjoy the fun and excitement of fishing during our free fishing weekend,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “Fishing is a great way to introduce someone to the outdoors and make some lasting memories.”
ODNR gave these tips for a successful fishing weekend especially with young children:
- Keep the trip simple by considering a child’s age and skill level
- Choose a pond, lake or stream where children are able to easily catch a few fish
- Use live bait to increase the chance of catching a fish. Live bait is also more interesting for children
- Bring a camera and snacks
- Be patient – plan on spending time untangling lines, baiting hooks, landing fish and taking pictures
Around 1.3 million Ohioans fish each year in the Buckeye State, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The six state fish hatcheries stocked 46 million sport fish in more than 200 locations last year, including walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, rainbow trout and hybrid striped bass.
Residents can find a public fishing area near them through ODNR's website.
Outside of the free weekend, residents 16 and older are required to have a fishing license.