Florida residents and visitors can ditch the paperwork and grab their tackle boxes for the upcoming license-free freshwater fishing weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced that on April 4 and 5, the standard requirement for a freshwater fishing license will be waived, allowing anyone to fish in the state’s inland waters for free.
While the license requirement is temporarily lifted, the FWC clarified that all other fishing regulations remain in full effect. This includes specific bag limits, size restrictions, and current season rules for various species.
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To mark the occasion, the FWC is organizing two specific community events on Saturday, April 4, designed to help families and new anglers get onto the water:
- Tenoroc Fish Management Area (Lakeland): Running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., this event features a casting contest and outdoor exhibits. A free lunch will be provided by Publix Supermarkets and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. While bait and loaner gear are available for children 15 and under, pre-registration is mandatory and must be completed by calling 863-648-3200 before 5 p.m. on April 3.
- Florida Bass Conservation Center (Webster): This event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a lunch of hotdogs and hamburgers provided by Vital Fleet Services. Unlike the Tenoroc event, attendees here are asked to bring their own fishing gear and bait.
The FWC stated that these weekends are intended to invite people “to explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer.” For those looking to continue fishing after the weekend, licenses remain available through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Anglers who land a significant catch during the event are also eligible to participate in the FWC’s ongoing recognition programs, TrophyCatch and Big Catch, which offer prizes and certificates for submitted photos and data of qualifying fish.
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