Maine Free Fishing Weekend

Free Fishing Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, when all Mainers can fish without the usually required state license.

A Maine fishing license isn't expensive, only $25 for a resident license, per year. But if you're not sure whether or not you'll like sitting in a boat, or on a dock, casting a line out into the water, that fee can seem like a lot for something you may end up hating. So if that's your mindset toward fishing, this Saturday and Sunday will be the perfect time to check it out!

I was also a holdout for the sport, even though my fiance goes every chance he gets. Finally, I decided that I'd try it, because he kept assuring me that, if I went fishing with him, I'd catch fish. I wasn't convinced, but gave him the benefit of the doubt. We went to the local pond and, on my third cast, I caught a beautiful small mouth bass. And, like the fish, I was hooked! Now, we go whenever we get the chance.

This weekend, June 4th and 5th, any person can fish for free, without a license, on Maine's waterways. The only exceptions are anyone who's had their license suspended or revoked. All other rules and regulations, including bag and possession limits, apply.

Every time we go out on a pond or lake, I think of my Grampy Roy, who would rather spend a day fishing, than doing anything else. Something tells me he'd be surprised to learn that the most avid angler in the family is his granddaughter. Get out and try it this weekend! 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, according to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

For a complete list of fishing regulations, including limits and sizes, visit the IF&W website.