This weekend is Free Fishing Weekend in New York, providing anyone with the chance to experience the North Country’s many world class fishing areas even if they don’t have a license.

Free Fishing Days this Saturday and Sunday are part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism. This initiative includes streamlining the acquisition of fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees and improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.

“The North Country has some of the best fishing in North America,” said Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa). “If you haven’t been out this year, now is the perfect time to dust off the tackle box, get to the water (don’t forget the bait!), and enjoy the natural riches that make the North Country so special.”

For a listing of fishing programs at state parks, including instructional programs and clinics, visit http://nysparks.com/events/.

As part of this initiative, Governor Cuomo approved legislation increasing the number of authorized statewide free fishing days from two to eight; additional statewide free fishing dates will be announced this summer.

The Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to allow all people the opportunity to sample the incredible fishing New York State has to offer. It has since been modified to allow organizations or groups to conduct individual free fishing events that meet DEC’s guidelines, ensuring that the events are educational in focus. Participants in these events do not need a license to fish and are not required to enroll in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.

Anglers are reminded that although a fishing license is not required during the free fishing day weekend, or free fishing events, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.