ST. GEORGE — If you’d like to catch a fish in Utah’s beautiful outdoors but you don’t have a fishing license, Free Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity to give it a try.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will sponsor its annual Free Fishing Day Saturday, June 10, and according to a news release, it’s a day when anyone — from children to adults and beginners to experts — can fish without a license at any public waterbody in Utah.
“Because you don’t need a license to fish that day, it’s the perfect time to take someone with you and introduce them to this fun sport,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Randy Oplinger said. “Early June is one of the best times to fish in Utah. All of the fish in the state, both warmwater and coldwater species, are active and willing to bite this time of the year.”
If you are taking someone fishing for the first time, you can commemorate their first catch with a fun DWR certificate. You can print out the certificate at home and fill in the details to document the occasion, the news release said.
Anglers should note that while Free Fishing Day waives the requirement for having a fishing license, entrance fees to state parks and other areas still apply.
Where to go fishing
Southern Utahns have several community pond options, including:
- Tawa Pond, Snow Canyon Parkway northwest of St. George, near the Canyons Complex.
- Skyline Pond, 533 E. Waterworks Drive, St. George.
- Sullivan Virgin River Park Pond, 300 East and Industrial Drive, Washington City.
- Razor Ridge Pond, 1934 Razor Ridge Drive, Washington City.
- Stratton Pond (Grandpa’s Pond), access via state Route 9, 386 N 3700 W, Hurricane.
- Lake at the Hills (Leigh Hill), 800 S 1950 W, Cedar City.
- Woods Ranch Pond (kids’ pond), 10 miles southeast of Cedar City in Cedar Canyon, Highway 14.
- Bristlecone Pond, 521 S Vasels Road, Brian Head.
- Parowan Pond, 400 W 100 N, Parowan.
According to the DWR news release, local community ponds are a great option for a quick, close-to-home fishing spot. These ponds are a particularly good place to take kids and other less experienced anglers. There are 57 community ponds located around Utah and more information about each one can be found on the DWR website.
Many of the community ponds will be stocked with rainbow trout a few days before Free Fishing Day. To help maintain good fishing through the hot, summer months, the DWR will also stock channel catfish into several community ponds around the state.
In addition to the community ponds, Utah has hundreds of lakes and reservoirs and thousands of miles of streams that offer great fishing, the news release said. If you prefer a fishing experience that is more remote — or at a larger waterbody — visit the Fish Utah map on the DWR website.
Learn the rules
You don’t need a license to fish on June 10, but the other fishing rules in Utah will be in effect. Be sure to know the catch limits and other rules for the waterbody you are fishing. The rules are available in the 2023 Utah Fishing Guidebook. And wherever you go fishing on Free Fishing Day, remember to recreate responsibly by packing out what you pack in and keeping the area free of trash, the DWR said in the news release.
Buy a license
Although you don’t need a fishing license on Free Fishing Day, a fishing license is required to fish any other day of the year. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase and can be purchased online, at any DWR office or from a DWR license agent.