Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 6, 7 and 8 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) free fishing weekend. Free fishing weekend is the first weekend in June each year. It gives you a chance to try fishing without purchasing a license, though all other regulations remain in place.
If you catch your first fish, take a photo and send it in to receive the DNR’s first fish award. Qualifying fish caught during free fishing weekend are also eligible for master angler recognition. Find more information on the first fish and master angler programs at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/MasterAnglerFirstFish.aspx.
Free fishing weekend coincides with fishing clinics, derbies and other events. A list is available through the DNR special events calendar at http://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/Search.aspx. Some of the fishing events scheduled throughout the state include:
May 31
• Muscatine, 34th Annual Kids Fishing Seminar, Environmental Discovery Park Pond, 9 a.m. to Noon
• Wapello, Outdoor Adventure Day, Langwood Education Center, 8-10 a.m.
June 7
• Anita, Lake Anita Kids Fishing Day, Lake Anita, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Ankeny, Ankeny Optimist Club Fishing Derby, Hawkeye Park Pond, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Bloomfield, Youth Fishing Clinic, Davis County Pond 7 (S-NM1), 9:30 a.m. to Noon
• Center Junction, Central Park Annual Kids Fishing Derby, Central Park Lake, 8 a.m. to Noon
• Central City, Annual Kids Fishing Clinic, Wapsi – Central City to Oxford Junction, 9-11:30 a.m
• Correctionville, NwIowaOutdoors.com Youth Fishing Tournament, Little Sioux Lake, 8 a.m. to Noon
• Davenport, West Lake Park Fishing Clinic, Lake of the Hills, 8 a.m. to Noon
• Des Moines, Pleasant Hill Youth Fishing Derby, Copper Creek, 8 a.m. to Noon
• Duncombe, Youth Fishing Derby, Brushy Creek Lake, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Dundee, Backbone Lake Kids Fishing Clinic and Derby, Backbone Lake, 1-3:30 p.m.
• Lenox, Seth Thompson Memorial Kids Fishing Day, Wilson Park Lake, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Maquoketa, Free Fishing Clinic, Hurstville Pond, 9-11 a.m.
• Marion, Kids Fish Iowa! Adventure, Lowe Park, 3-6 p.m.
• Nevada, Go FISH – “Fishing Instruction Starts Here,” Hickory Grove Lake, 8-11 a.m.
• Newton, Hook, Line and Sinker Fishing Derby, Mariposa Lake, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• North Liberty, Free Family Fishing Event, Liberty Centre Pond, 10 a.m. to Noon
• Onawa, Blue Lake Kids Day, Blue Lake, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Scranton, Scranton’s Kids Fishing Days, Lost Lagoon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Shenandoah, Optimist Club/Page County Conservation Fishing Derby, Pioneer Park, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Sperry, DMCC Kids Fishing Derby, Big Hollow Lake, 9 a.m. to Noon
• Stacyville, Family Fishing Day!, Riverside Park, 9 a.m. to Noon
• Ventura, Fishing Clinic, Clear Lake, 8:30-10 a.m.
• West Des Moines, 15th Annual Cops N’ Bobbers Fishing Clinic, West Des Moines City Hall, 9 a.m. to Noon
• Woodbine, Kid’s Fishing Day, Willow Lake, 9-11 a.m.
June 8
• Adel, Family Fishing Fun, Glissman Pond, 4-6 p.m.
• Bellevue, Kids Fishing Day, Mississippi River Pool 13, 2-4 p.m.
• West Point, Fishing Clinic and Derby, Pollmiller Park Lake, 9 a.m. to Noon