Free fishing days June 6-7

Colorado residents and visitors will have the opportunity to fish without a license on June 6-7 as part of “Colorado’s Free Fishing Days.”
The free fishing days are set aside each year for the first full weekend in June as part of ongoing efforts by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) to introduce people to the sport of fishing.
“We want people to take advantage of this opportunity and get out there with their friends and family and give fishing a try,” said Aaron Flohrs, a DOW District Wildlife Manager from Colorado Springs.
During the free fishing days, Colorado waives the requirement to have a fishing license. However, all other regulations including how many fish you can keep, areas where there are bait restrictions and the requirement to have a Habitat Stamp to enter a State Wildlife Area remain in effect.
Throughout the rest of the year, anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 need to purchase a license before casting a fishing line.
An annual resident fishing license costs $31, and an annual non-resident license costs $61. One-day or five-day fishing licenses are also available.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at DOW offices, or from licensed agents at many sporting goods or supermarket locations. The can also be purchased over the phone at 1 (800) 244-5613, or online at http://wildlife.state.co.us/total_licensing/.
Colorado has more than 2,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs that hold a variety of fish including trout, bass, walleye, catfish, and many other species. There are also more than 10,000 miles of streams and rivers in Colorado, many of which rate as good-to-excellent for trout.
Each year, the DOW stocks more than three million catchable-sized trout; in addition to 14 million trout fingerlings. The DOW stocks warm-water lakes with more than 80 million fry and fingerlings annually.
For more information on state fishing regulations, the 2009 Colorado Fishing Brochure is available online at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/.
The DOW’s weekly Colorado fishing report lists where people can take advantage of the free fishing days. The report contains information about recently stocked waters, weekly hotspots, and techniques that have proven successful for the state’s most productive lakes, reservoirs, streams, and ponds.