05-28-2002, 05:42 PM
OHIO FREE FISHING DAYS TO BE CELEBRATED JUNE 1 AND 2 <br><br>COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio residents are encouraged to take advantage of <br>Free Fishing Days on June 1 and 2, to fish in any of the state's public <br>waters without having to purchase a fishing license, according to the Ohio <br>Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. <br>At all other times of the year, anglers are required to have a valid <br>fishing license. An annual resident fishing license costs $15, and young <br>anglers under the age of 16 are not required to purchase a license. People <br>aged 66 and older can obtain a free fishing license at any license vendor. <br>A one-day fishing license is also available for $7, and that amount can <br>later be redeemed for credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license. <br>A fishing license is normally required to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters. <br>Ohio's Free Fishing Days was established in 1993 to promote fishing <br>and allow Ohioans to experience fishing before buying a license. The <br>two-day event is held annually on the first Saturday and Sunday in June. <br>The offer is open to Ohio residents, and extends to all public waters, <br>including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. An estimated 1.5 million people go <br>fishing in Ohio each year. <br>Great fishing exists across the state, with Ohio anglers enjoying a <br>diverse mix of fishing opportunities: from Lake Erie's renown walleye to <br>Ohio River striped bass, with thousands of miles of streams with plentiful <br>smallmouth bass, muskie, catfish, crappie and bluegill.<br><br>