People of all ages will be able to fish without a license on days specified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The commission has designated June 1 and Sept. 1 as a saltwater license-free fishing day and June 8 as freshwater day. The last freshwater license-free day was April 6.
Licenses are typically required for freshwater and saltwater fishing. Children under the age of 16 are normally not required to have a license.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission spokeswoman Amanda Nalley said the designated days are meant to promote fishing to residents and fishing enthusiasts.
“What these days do is they offer an opportunity for people who may not have a fishing license currently to get out on the water and experience Florida fishing,” she said.
Nalley said the days are planned close to holidays and on weekends to make them available to as many people as possible. The days are also planned around recreational fishing seasons and recreational harvests.
She said recreational harvest for spiny lobster and bay scallops will also be open Sept. 1.
Gary Simpson, manager at Gary’s Tackle Box, 5721 NW 13th St., said license-free days have encouraged customers in the past to get fishing licenses.
“This particular store, we might reach three to four people that will fish due to that opportunity, that wouldn’t have fished otherwise,” he said.
Local fisherman Cole Childers, 58, who has a lifetime fishing license, said fishing is a great way to get children outside and enjoy outdoor activities.
“My dad called it hydrotherapy. Just being around the water made me forget about everything and just relax and have fun,” he said. “It makes you feel like you’re a kid again.”
Eddie Young, 71, fishes on Newnans Lake on Monday. Read the story about license-free fishing on page 3.
