FREE FISHING DAY - A Grand Opportunity For
Fun and Introduction
By BOB HARRIS
Outdoors and Free
Friday, May 9, 2008
New Hampshire’s Free Fishing Day is
Saturday, June 7, 2008 this year. Whether you are a resident or
a nonresident, Free Fishing Day allows you to fish any inland
water (lake, pond or river) on that day without having a fishing
license. The exception is if you intend to fish for Atlantic
salmon brood stock fish in the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset
rivers. To fish for them, you are required to have an Atlantic
salmon permit.
For the experienced angler, Free Fishing Day is an excellent
chance to introduce this sport to children or adults. When
dealing with children and adult first-timers, action is a very
important ingredient. A day of fishing that presents little or
no action is boring, especially for kids. Therefore, it is best
to start the novice out by angling for fish that are basically
easy to catch. These would include sunfish, bluegills, yellow
perch, crappie and white perch.
Locally, places like Goffstown’s Glen Lake or Lake Massabesic
(Auburn and Manchester) offer excellent fishing opportunities
from boat or shore.
Adults only get this one day to fish for free in New Hampshire.
However, kids under 16 years of age can fish without a license
throughout the year. Season dates, limits and all other fishing
regulations must be followed to the letter on Free Fishing Day.
You should obtain a copy of the 2008 New Hampshire Freshwater
Fishing Digest, available from all license agents in the state
or direct from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11
Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301. You may also want to obtain
additional information concerning tips on tackle, lake depths,
where fish have been stocked and more by going to the website
http://www.FishNH.com. The website has regional fishing guides
with suggestions on where to fish from the shoreline, currently
available for the Manchester and Nashua area, the North Country
and southwestern New Hampshire.
As Karina Jolles, New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Let’s Go Fishing
Program coordinator says, "Most people who hook a fish once can
hardly wait for the chance to do it again. Free Fishing Day is
your chance to give it a try. For just a few dollars, you can
buy an inexpensive rod and reel, a few hooks and some sinkers to
start kids on an activity they can enjoy all their lives."
Free Fishing Day is a part of the National Fishing and Boating
Week that runs from June 7 through June 15. Many states offer
two Free Fishing Days for the opening weekend. Although one free
day is better than none, I do not understand why our Fish and
Game Department doesn’t allow two days of free fishing (Saturday
and Sunday). First of all, holding this day on Saturday excludes
those folks who have to work that day. Having both Saturday and
Sunday open for free fishing would offer a greater opportunity
to get more new-comers introduced to fishing. This could greatly
increase the sales of fishing licenses.
The future sales of licenses, interest in promoting good fishing
rules and preserving fishing sites and access to clean waters
are a few benefits. Learning to fish and enjoy this healthy
recreation can lead to a lifelong and very enjoyable hobby. If
you’ve been bitten by the fishing bug, then spread it to others.
See you on the water. Good luck and tight lines. |
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Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at:
outwriter2@aol.com
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