California anglers catch a free day of fishing June 10, as the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) waives the license requirement for anyone 16 or older. Free Fishing Day, the first of two offered this year, allows anyone who can cast a line the chance to enjoy one of the nation's favorite outdoor activities on all inland and ocean waters.

?Į?Į"This is a fantastic opportunity for people who haven't yet purchased a fishing license - or for the novice who has wanted to try fishing - to give the sport a chance," said Ethan Rotman, coordinator of San Francisco Bay Area Fishing in the City program. "For many, the tradition of fishing transcends a sport and has shifted into a way of life. And California's Free Fishing Day is a way for those people to introduce their sport to friends or family who haven't had the exposure before."

?Į?ĮWhile a fishing license is not required, all other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures, remain in effect. The second day for free fishing is Sept. 23.?Į

?ĮMore than 1.2 million people purchased resident fishing licenses in California in 2005, the last year with complete information. Sales had slowly declined over the last decade but began to rebound in 2004. Nationally, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 44 million people over the age of 6 go fishing - that's one out of every five Americans. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, almost twice as many people fish than play golf.

?Į?ĮDFG's Fishing in the City program, which began in 1993, takes advantage of the free days and offers opportunity to discover the joys of the sport in the state's most populated metropolitan areas.

?Į?ĮIn the Bay Area, DFG's Fishing in the City program offers learn-to-fish clinics at Lake Merced in San Francisco, and Lake Cunningham Regional Park in San Jose. The East Bay Regional Park District will waive the usual $4 per angler fishing access permit for Free Fishing Day.

?Į?ĮThe Bay Area workshops provide hands-on instruction to get new anglers fishing in a short time. Children and adults receive coaching on the basics of fishing and on how to keep local waterways clean. The program, found on DFG's website www.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/fishcity/sanfran.html, provides free equipment during the clinics. Also specifically for the day, DFG plans to stock 14 Bay Area lakes and reservoirs with 1- and 2-pound catfish.

?Į?ĮIn Los Angeles on the Santa Monica Pier, DFG will launch its California Fishing Passport program on Free Fishing Day. The event, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, kicks off a series of Summer Challenge events just for kids, and gives anglers of all ages a sneak preview into the full Fishing Passport program that begins Jan. 1, 2007. The Southern California Fishing in the City website is www.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/fishcity/losangeles.html.

?Į?ĮIn the Sacramento area, the Fishing in the City program offers nine locations for fishing opportunities. Prior to Free Fishing Day, DFG plans to plant catchable-sized trout in Arden Bar Pond, Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, and Rancho Seco Lake. More details on the Sacramento program are available at www.dfg.ca.gov/oceo/fishcity/sacramento.html.

?Į?ĮFor anytime other than the Free Fishing Days, anglers must possess a valid 2006 sport-fishing license, priced this year for California residents at $33.25. Single and two-day licenses, as well as nonresident licenses, are also available.

?Į?ĮCalifornia's Free Fishing Day coincides with the National Fishing and Boating Week program that runs from June 3 to 11. The weeklong event is an annual, national celebration of fishing and boating coordinated by Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.