02-12-2004, 12:43 AM
For those who love to fish, state recreation officials announced that anglers will have an opportunity to fish for free over Valentine's Day weekend. [left]Michigan's Winter Free Fishing Weekend is Saturday and Sunday, when fishing license fees are waived for both residents and non-residents, said Michigan Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Theresa Pohl.
"The Winter Free Fishing Weekend encourages Michigan residents and visitors to sample Michigan's year-round angling opportunities. Those who try fishing during the free weekend could discover a new hobby on one of more than 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams or 3,000 miles of Michigan Great Lake's coastline," she said.
DNR Acting Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter said that ice fishing offers an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to experience Michigan's exceptional natural resources in a new way.
"With an abundance of game fish throughout the state's inland waters, anglers can catch large predator species such as northern pike, or a bag full of pan fish for exceptional table fare.
"While bluegill, perch, trout and walleye are the most popular ice fishing species, Michigan waters are home to nearly two dozen species guaranteed to delight anglers of all ages," said Dexter.
An although many residents may have Monday, which is President's Day, off for a long weekend, Pohl noted that the free fishing weekend does not include this day.
She also said that all other fishing regulations apply.
"The DNR offers several online resources to help first-time and seasoned anglers maximize the fishing opportunities throughout the state.
"Anglers can buy licenses online, review weekly fishing reports, access lake maps through an interactive map of the state, stoking records and find information about public access points on Michigan lakes, rivers and streams by logging on to [url "http://www.michigan.gov/dnr"]www.michigan.gov/dnr[/url] ,". [/left]
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"The Winter Free Fishing Weekend encourages Michigan residents and visitors to sample Michigan's year-round angling opportunities. Those who try fishing during the free weekend could discover a new hobby on one of more than 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams or 3,000 miles of Michigan Great Lake's coastline," she said.
DNR Acting Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter said that ice fishing offers an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to experience Michigan's exceptional natural resources in a new way.
"With an abundance of game fish throughout the state's inland waters, anglers can catch large predator species such as northern pike, or a bag full of pan fish for exceptional table fare.
"While bluegill, perch, trout and walleye are the most popular ice fishing species, Michigan waters are home to nearly two dozen species guaranteed to delight anglers of all ages," said Dexter.
An although many residents may have Monday, which is President's Day, off for a long weekend, Pohl noted that the free fishing weekend does not include this day.
She also said that all other fishing regulations apply.
"The DNR offers several online resources to help first-time and seasoned anglers maximize the fishing opportunities throughout the state.
"Anglers can buy licenses online, review weekly fishing reports, access lake maps through an interactive map of the state, stoking records and find information about public access points on Michigan lakes, rivers and streams by logging on to [url "http://www.michigan.gov/dnr"]www.michigan.gov/dnr[/url] ,". [/left]
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