Fish free for a day

Anglers can fish without a license on Saturday, June 7.

The "Free Sportfishing Day" will highlight National Fishing and Boating Week, allowing anglers to fish any public waters in Texas without a fishing license.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials said the special day, authorized by the Texas Legislature, is intended to promote fishing and encourage people to enjoy the state's fishing resources. Both resident and nonresident recreational anglers will be allowed to fish without a license, and will not be required to have special stamps such as the saltwater or freshwater fishing stamps. Size and bag limits remain in effect.

The eighth annual National Fishing and Boating Week is June 1-8 with thousands of events planned in communities across the country. Events will provide hands-on opportunities for families and friends to share fun, quality time together while learning about boating and fishing.

Numerous youth fishing activities are scheduled that week, including the Redfish Bay Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association's Take a Kid Fishing tournament in Port Aransas (see related story).

National Fishing and Boating Week is part of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation's national awareness campaign, Take Me Fishing. Funded by the federal government's Sport Fish Restoration Program, the non-profit Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation was created to increase participation in fishing and boating and focus attention on the need to protect the nation's aquatic resources.