Michigan's 'Three Free' weekend encourages people to get outdoors and have fun
Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting its "Three Free" weekend, which comes with fishing, entry into state parks, using state managed boating access sites and riding on off road vehicle trails.
On June 11-12, statewide, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be waiving the need for a recreational passport to get into state parks and boat launches, as well as the license and permit requirements for being on off road vehicle trails. This will be for all Michigan residents and visitors to the state, along with the free fishing weekend.
"We have three big reasons for you to enjoy some of Michigan’s best outdoor recreation opportunities," said DNR Director Dan Eichinger in a press release. "Whether you're already an avid outdoors-person or someone just beginning to explore all the options, our 'Three Free' Weekend makes it easy to discover a new hobby, visit a new park or introduce friends to an outdoor experience you love."
Subscribe: Get unlimited access to all of our local content
Each year, the DNR hosts two free fishing weekends, where residents and visitors can fish on waterways throughout the state without needing to have a fishing license. The first of these free fishing weekends was hosted in February, allowing anglers to get out on the ice and try to catch their trophy fish.
"Free Fishing Weekend occurs two days twice a year. The winter weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday of President's Day weekend and the summer weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday following the first full week of June," said Sierra Williams, communications representative for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division.
More: First of two free fishing weekends scheduled this weekend, Feb. 13 and 14
Williams said Michigan has been celebrating Free Fishing Weekend as a way to promote awareness of the finest fishing Michigan has to offer and the state's vast aquatic resources.
"It’s a great activity do with friends and family or on your own," she said.
The free fishing and free ORV weekends each happen on back to back days two times a year, but only in the summer does the "three free" weekends happen. Free Fishing Weekend has happened every year since 1986.
Throughout the calendar year, children who are under the age of 17 are not required to have a fishing license to go fishing. They also do not need to have a parent with them who has a fishing license for the child to be able to fish, like hunting in the state requires. Anyone 17 years old and older is required to have purchased a fishing license from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to be able to fish, except on the free fishing weekends.
Although a fishing license is not needed to fish on Saturday or Sunday, all the regulations regarding size limits and number of fish that can be harvested are still in effect and anglers need to abide by these rules.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering printable certificates on its website to celebrate a child's first fish, or if the child caught a big fish on its website, www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/free-fishing.
Contact Reporter Kortny Hahn at khahn1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Second free fishing weekend of the year planned for June 11 and 12
