Date: 06/04/09
Contact: Chris Vasey, NDOW, (775) 688-1622
Kathleen Bloom, Sparks Parks & Recreation, (775) 353-2385
Dr. Michael Day, Sparks Rotary Club, (775) 358-5265

NEVADA OFFERS FREE DAY OF FISHING SATURDAY JUNE 13

Grab your tackle box and fishing poles and head for the water on Saturday, June 13th for Nevada’s Free Fishing Day, the one day each year that all anglers can enjoy a day of fishing without purchasing a state fishing license or trout stamp.

“Free Fishing Day provides the perfect opportunity for families to spend the day together in an activity they may have never tried before,” said Chris Vasey, Nevada Department of Wildlife’s (NDOW) Angler Education Coordinator.

In anticipation of this event, hatchery reared "catchable-size" trout have been planted by NDOW in most fishable waters throughout the state. “Anglers, old and new alike stand a good chance of catching fish,” Vasey said.

In conjunction with Free Fishing Day, Nevada State Parks is granting free fishing access to its parks on Saturday, June 13, 2009. “Fishing is still one of our great pastimes and it’s an excellent way to get families and children into our parks,” said Dave Morrow, administrator for the Nevada Division of State Parks. “In support of Free Fishing Day, all of our water-based
parks are participating by giving free entrance to visitors who show fishing poles at park entrances.”

State parks with fishing opportunities include: Washoe Lake, Sand Harbor and the Lake Tahoe Backcountry (Marlette and Hobart), Dayton, Rye Patch, Lahontan, Ft. Churchill, South Fork, Wild Horse, Cave Lake, Ward Charcoal, Spring Valley, Echo Canyon, Beaver Dam, and Big Bend of the Colorado.

For a map of Nevada’s State Parks, go to: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103706538696461645575.00043f6172dc611852d8e

Once again The Sparks Rotary Club, NDOW and the City of Sparks Parks and Recreation Department have joined forces to offer a special community event for the area’s children. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled morning of fishing along the south shore of the Sparks Marina from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Commemorative t-shirts and fishing poles will be distributed at the registration area until supplies run out. There will be fun games and face painting for all ages, and a free barbecue lunch will begin at 9 a.m. with hot dogs, soda, ice cream and donuts for registered children.

In addition to the Sparks Rotary Club, NDOW and the City of Sparks Parks and Recreation, many generous sponsors enable this free event to take place. Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, Safari Club International and the Reno Rodeo Foundation are providing generous cash donations. Mark Fore and Strike Sporting Goods and Model Dairy have been sponsors since the event began, and are returning again with in-kind donations. Other generous sponsors, as well as information on the event can be found by clicking “latest news” on the Sparks Rotary Club’s website at www.sparksrotary.org.

Rotary members from Sparks and Reno, and staff from the Nevada Department of Wildlife will be on hand to assist those with little or no fishing experience. Fishing equipment will be available for children to use if they don't have their own. Parents must accompany their children to the event.

Nevada lawmakers adopted legislation in 1987, creating the state’s first Free Fishing Day which was first celebrated on June 11, 1988. Although no license is required, fish limits and all other regulations still apply. For more information go to www.ndow.org.

KC/Washoe Co.
BC/DCNR
AM