What better way to close out the summer than with a free day of fishing in one of California's gorgeous lakes, streams, waterways or the Pacific Ocean. For the second time this year, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites anglers to participate in Free Fishing Day, set for Sept. 23.

The complimentary day of fishing sets aside the normal requirement for anyone 16 years and older to possess a California fishing license. All other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures, remain in effect. The earlier Free Fishing Day was June 10.

"California has the most spectacular angling opportunities available anywhere in the country," said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. "DFG's Free Fishing Day is a fantastic chance to enjoy the outdoors and a great day of fishing."

The state offers more than 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs, and 80 major rivers. It also has more than 1,100 miles of coastline, and hundreds of native fish species.

?Į?ĮDFG offers several fishing-related programs designed to help everyone enjoy one of the nation's most popular outdoor recreational sports.

For the novice angler, DFG offers Fishing in the City, part of the Urban Fishing Program. The idea began in 1993, to provide fishing opportunities to Californians living in the Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. Fishing in the City clinics teach kids how to fish, and provides the chance to fish close to home. DFG stocks dozens of ponds with trout in winter and catfish the rest of the year. More information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/fishcity/.

For those more confident in the fishing experience, DFG offers the California Heritage Trout Challenge. The Challenge tests anglers' ability to catch six different forms of California native trout from their historic drainages. Successful anglers can receive a personalized certificate, featuring beautiful artwork of renowned fish illustrator Joseph Tomelleri. Part of the Challenge includes learning more about the state's native trout, where people can find them, and what DFG has done to conserve and restore these heritage trout. More information is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/html/WildAndHeritageTrout/WHTrout_0.htm

Free Fishing Day can also help launch new anglers into the Department's new fishing incentive and angler recognition program called the California Fishing Passport program. The program, which just completed a three-stage summer pilot program geared just to children, will highlight all of the state's fishing opportunities within ocean waters, lakes and reservoirs, streams and rivers, and the delta system. More than 1,000 kids have already gotten a headstart on this program. The official Passport program kicks-off for people of all ages and skill levels in January 2007. With a passport booklet as a guide, all anglers will be encouraged to catch all of the different sport fish species that occur in the state. More than 150 different species of freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and a number of ocean shellfish species can be found in California and are included as part of the Passport Challenge. Look for the new California Fishing Passport books to be available free of charge beginning Jan. 1. More information is available at www.fishingpassport.org.

Free Fishing Day has served as a springboard for people to connect to the tradition of fishing. Statistics from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicate that more than 44 million Americans consider themselves anglers, with the largest portion coming from California.

The national pastime contributed toward a $116 billion-a-year impact on the nation's economy, with only swimming considered more popular as an outdoor recreational activity.

For those who catch the fishing bug after the upcoming free opportunity, DFG offers several options to keep the fishing line flying.

DFG's License and Revenue Branch offers a one- and two-day license. A full year sport fishing license for California residents is $34.90. Fees for licenses that are available from license agents include 5 percent license agent handling fee.

Serious anglers - or anglers who want to become serious - can save money by purchasing a lifetime license. DFG bases lifetime license fees on the licensee's age at the time of purchase as follows: Birth to 9 years, $389.25; age 10 to 39, $639.75; age 40 to 61, $575.75; age 62 and older, $389.25.