Fishing Wisconsin - Angler & aquatic education Free Fishing Weekend: June 1 - 2, 2013

Fish anywhere in Wisconsin for free

Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin’s side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. So, pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water for fishing fun.

Pssst! We also have Winter Free Fishing Weekend. Next year it will be on January 18-19, 2014.

Plan a fishing clinic

Plan your own fishing clinic to usher in a summer of fishing fun. Use these events to kick off summertime youth fishing clubs and get anglers of all ages out to the water's edge.

Download and complete the Free Fishing Weekend Planning Form [PDF]. Simply submit your completed form to the Angler Education Office at the DNR and we'll post your event. Then, we'll and send you educational materials to share with participants. Contact Kim Anderson, 608-261-6431, if you would like a planning form mailed to you.

Attend a fishing clinic

Get free instruction and gear to use at fishing clinics.

Dozens of free fishing clinics are offered on Free Fishing Weekend by many fishing clubs, local parks departments, community centers and civic organizations. Learn the basics and fish using equipment provided at most of these events. We'll post Free Fishing Weekend clinics here as we learn about them.

Saturday Events, June 1, 2013

Bayfield County

Location:	Bayfield, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Place:	Les Voigt Fish Hatchery-83875 State Hwy 13
Target Age:	5-14
Free Fishing Weekend Event Fly tying, fly-casting, bait-casting, t-shirt painting, fire control/safety, archery, animal tracks identification and fish in our pond.
Sponsored by:	ABC Sportsmen Club, River Rock Inn and Bait Shop and Washburn IGA.
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Mike Rackouski [exit DNR], 715-779-4021.

Calumet County

Location:	Menasha, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	Jefferson Park, Menasha, WI
Target Age:	All ages and families.
Free Fishing Weekend Event This program is designed to get families out fishing. Participants can borrow equipment, get free bait and a youth-sized t-shirt! FREE lunch for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.
Sponsored by:	Community First Credit Union, Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, A Fish Tale & more, and Menasha Park and Recreation
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Luke Schiller [exit DNR], 920-720-9349.

Chippewa County

Location:	Chippewa Falls, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Location:	Handicapped pier off Court Street in Chippewa Falls.
Target Age:	Ages 6 to 15 years old.
YMCA Fishing Day Fishing poles, bait and tackle will be provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Chippewa YMCA and Chippewa County Conservation Department.
Contact:	For more information contact Kyle Beach [exit DNR], 715-797-0074.

Dane County

Location:	Lake Mills, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	Lake Mills Fire Department on Veteran's Lane, Lake Mills, WI
Target Age:	12 and under.
Fishing Contest with Prizes! Learn the life cycles of Wisconsin Fish!. Learn how to identify native Wisconsin Fish! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Lake Mills Optimist Club
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Jason Rice, 608-606-9121.

Douglas County

Location:	Brule, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place:	Brule Fish Hatchery
Target Age:	All Ages.
Free Fishing Weekend and Outdoor Extravaganza! Fly-tying, gyotaku (fish printing), catch 'n release fishing, hatchery tours. Demos on electrofishing, fish filleting, fire surpression and trail equipment.and trail equipment demos. Canoe trips, hiking, archery and turkey calling. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Brule River Sportsman's Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Lake Superior Trolling Association and Douglas County Fish & Game League
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Bill Gobin, 715-372-4820.

Eau Claire County

Location:	Eau Claire, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	Braun's Bay, Carson Park. From Menomonie Street, enter Carson Park by Dairy Queen.
Target Age:	Beginner anglers, 5 to 13 years old; must be accompanied by an adult.
Free Fishing Weekend Event Help is available to learn to fish from DNR Instructors. Participants can borrow equipment, some bait will be available. Casting contest and fly fishing demonstrations. Don't forget to bring an adult who never learned to fish!
Sponsored by:	Chippewa Valley Fishing Club and Wisconsin Clearwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Contact:	For more information, contact Dennis VandenBloomen [exit DNR], 715-834-0949.

Florence County

Location:	Eagle River, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Place:	Lost Lake in Florence County. Follow signs to the event from the Hwy 70 and Lake of Dreams Road intersection.
Target Age:	All ages and families.
Kids Free Fishing Day Event Participants can borrow equipment, get free bait and youth sized t-shirt! Everyone is welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Local businesses, area fishing groups, and county and state government agencies.
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Jeremy Hubbard [exit DNR], 715-479-2827, extension 22.

Marathon County

Location:	Wausau, WI
Date:	June 1 and 2, 2013 (both days!)
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place:	DC Everest Park, located at the end of S. 3rd Avenue on Lake Wausau.
Target Age:	All fishing and environmental enthusiasts over the age of 5 are welcome.
Wausau Free Fishing Weekend Event Water quality education and fishing directed at children, families and first time anglers! Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Environmental Sustainability Committee of Wausau and Marathon County Public Park Systems.
Contact:	For more information, contact Melissa Engels Lewis [exit DNR], 414-477-4479.

Sauk County

Location:	Reedsburg, WI
Date:	June 1
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Place:	Plenke's Pond off Granite Avenue, Reedsburg, WI
Target Age:	6-12
Free Fishing Weekend Event Fishing seminars in bass and walleye fishing, boating and water safety, fish filleting, casting, equipment set-up. Fishing contests for largest fish caught along with casting contests. Lunch will be provided. Grab bags with fishing gear and new fishing poles will be handed out to the participants.
Sponsored by:	Reedsburg Outdoor Club, Wisconsin DNR and Plenke Pond Trust Fund
Contact:	For more information, contact David Horzewski [exit DNR], 608-963-2773.

Sawyer County

Location:	Hayward, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	Hayward City Beach Park, Lake Hayward
Target Age:	Old enough to hold a pole through 15 years old.
Free Fishing Weekend! Fishing, casting contest, bait making, prizes for all participants! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Great Divide Ranger District, US Forest Service, Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin, Sawyer County Outdoor Projects Education and Hayward Bait & Bottle Shop
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Wayne Balsavich [exit DNR]405-227-1789

Sheboygan County

Location:	Sheboygan Falls, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	River Park, Sheboygan Falls, North of CTH PP, west of Hwy 32, west of YMCA
Target Age:	All ages.
Free Fishing Weekend Learn the basics of how to fish! Learn how to identify common Wisconsin fish! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Camp Y-KODA, and Sheboygan County Conservation Association
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Michael Clutter, 920-892-8756, ext. 3038.

Taylor County

Location:	Medford, WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Place:	Escadare Lake; 4 miles west of Medford on Hwy 64, then 4 miles north on Hwy E.
Target Age:	Anglers 6 to 12 years old and families
Free Fishing Weekend Event DNR Boat Safety, knot tying, casting and tackle box. Participants can borrow equipment, get free bait. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Escadare Lake Association and Taylor County Sportsman's Club.
Contact:	For more information or to register, contact Lori Brandt [exit DNR], 715-785-7128.

Waukesha County

Location:	Oconomowoc WI
Date:	June 1, 2013
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Place:	Memorial Park, S. Main Street (south of Wisconsin Avenue), Oconomowoc.
Target Age:	Ages 6 to 14 years old.
City of Oconomowoc Parks Free Fishing Day Educational stations on knot tying, baiting a hook, casting, reeling, pop can fishing and fishing safety. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Environmental Sustainability Committee of Wausau and Marathon County Public Park Systems.
Contact:	For more information contact Jennifer Froemming [exit DNR], 262-569-2199.

Sunday Events, June 2, 2013

Fond du Lac County

Location:	Oakfield, WI
Date:	June 2, 2013
Time:	11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place:	Raspberry Lake, 1 mile west of Oakfield, off Church Street/Prairie Road.
Target Age:	All ages and families.
Free Fishing Weekend Event Bait provided and equipment to borrow will be available. Door Prizes and refreshments! Information table. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Oakfield Conservation Club, AD Sutherland Chapter Izaak Walton League of America, River Haus Bait, and Tackle & Gifts.
Contact:	For more information contact Liz Roy [exit DNR], 920-921-2281.

St. Croix County

Location:	Hudson, WI
Date:	June 2, 2013
Time:	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	Willow River State Park, Hudson.
Target Age:	Age 15 and under, and families.
Free Fishing Weekend Event This program is designed to get kids out fishing. Participants can borrow equipment, get free bait. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Willow River OWLs, County Sportsman's Alliance.
Contact:	For more information contact Buck Malick [exit DNR], 715-386-7010.

Marathon County

Location:	Wausau, WI
Date:	June 1 and 2, 2013 (both days!)
Time:	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place:	DC Everest Park; located at the end of S. 3rd Avenue on Lake Wausau.
Target Age:	All fishing and environmental enthusiasts over the age of 5 are welcome.
Wausau Free Fishing Weekend Event Water quality education and fishing directed at children, families and first time anglers! Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by:	Environmental Sustainability Committee of Wausau and Marathon County Public Park Systems.
Contact:	For more information contact Melissa Engels Lewis [exit DNR], 414-477-4479.

Tackle loaner sites

No fishing pole or other fishing equipment? No problem! Contact a tackle loaner site at one of several state parks and DNR regional offices to borrow one. Many have ice fishing jig poles too, for the hardwater season, although ice augers are in short supply. Make friends with someone with an auger and maybe he or she will drill you a hole.