Fish Florida Freshwaters License-Free This Weekend

BRADENTON, FL — Floridians eager to toss out a line don’t have to pay for a freshwater fishing license to do so this weekend.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced that this Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3, are official freshwater license-free days. That means anyone age 16 and older who wants to fish in non-salt waters without a license may do so.

Fishing enthusiasts are reminded that all other rules apply for recreational anglers. That means seasons, bag limits and size restrictions remain in place and must be followed.

This weekend’s event is the first of several upcoming license-free fishing weekends. The next dates are the second Saturday and Sunday in June for freshwater fishing. License-free saltwater days are as follows:

• First Saturday and Sunday in June
• First Saturday in September
• The Saturday after Thanksgiving

To find out more about license-free fishing days, license requirements and restrictions, visit FWC online.

For those who happen to snag catfish over the weekend, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has posted a recipe on its website for beer battered freshwater catfish.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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