By Justin Whitmore

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Anyone interested in fishing in Louisiana will have a free opportunity this weekend, no strings attached.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hosting its annual “Free Fishing Weekend”. The event started Saturday and lasts through the end of today.

Free fishing means anyone can fish on any public body of water without owning a fishing license, education program manager for LDWF John Sturgis said.

“In an effort to get people involved in the sport of fishing, on June 11 and 12 anyone can go out and fish without having to buy the required license,” Sturgis said. “This applies to (Louisiana) residents and non-residents and applies to all areas in fresh and salt water.”

LDWF spokeswoman Olivia Watkins said she hopes the event will encourage people to go out and buy licenses.

“Essentially the goal is to help remind people what is really incredible about fishing in Louisiana and fishing in general,” Watkins said. “By waving the necessity for a recreational fishing license (we encourage people) to go outside to enjoy fishing, and go without a license and remember that they want a (license).”

The LDWF gets funds from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, Watkins said.

“(The department) gets funded in different ways, and one of the ways is from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses,” Watkins said. “That relies on the interest of anglers and hunters to get out and enjoy Louisiana. The money comes to the department to pay for things like (the free fishing weekend), maintenance, wildlife management areas and (other services).”

Watkins said one focus for the LDWF is to get younger anglers out on the water.

“We are trying to reach all different groups,” she said. “For people who haven’t taken their kids fishing before, and (the kids) are young and they don’t know if they will be interested, this is a good weekend to take the kids out and see if they really like it. Most of them do. The first time you get a fish on a hook is absolutely incredible. To have that moment fishing, I know I still remember that.”

And for a lot of folks who fished when they were kids and now life has gotten busy, this is a time for them to remember that it’s good to step back and relax, or to get some good quality time with the family.”

Sturgis also said the event is focused on attracting new anglers.

“We’re hoping to get someone to try fishing who has not done it,” he said. “It’s also a good opportunity for someone who does fish to bring someone who doesn’t, especially a youth. But it’s not just for kids, it’s for everyone.”

Watkins said the free fishing weekend has been around for a few years and the LDWF try to improve it every year.

“We’re very excited, each year we try to bump it up a little,” she said.

Watkins said they chose this weekend because this time of year is generally a boom time for fishing.

“This is historically is a good time of year for fishing,” she said. “This is the beginning of a very active fishing season. It’s a good opportunity to get folks out fishing again this summer.”

Watkins said all regular fishing and boating rules will apply, and she encourages all this weekend’s anglers to be sure to wear life jackets.

Watkins said fishing licenses can be purchased online at the MDWF website, MDWF offices or at many bait and tackle shops across the state.