Iowans can go fishing on any of the state’s lakes, rivers and streams for free this weekend, without having a fishing license. The Free Fishing Days event begins today (Friday) and runs through Sunday. Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says it’s a great time to go out and catch a lot of fish with family members.” Larscheid says the weekend will feature educational opportunities for new anglers.

“It’s exciting at this time of the year because bluegills and crapies are willing to bite and they’re close to shore, they’re spawning and they’re easy to fish for,” Larscheid says. “It doesn’t take sophisticated tackle and it’s a great time to go out and catch a lot of fish with family members.” Larscheid says the weekend will feature educational opportunities for new anglers.

“Fishing is a wholesome activity that’s a lot of fun,” he says. “We have fishing clinics out there for people that don’t know how to fish, they don’t know what to use and they’re not sure what to do when they catch a fish, we have fishing clinics throughout the state that people can go to and it’s free this weekend.” Larscheid says the free fishing events are for Iowa residents only.

He says people from out-of-state will need to buy fishing licenses, which are available in one-, three- and seven-day amounts to keep the sport affordable. Learn more about the events online at: www.iowadnr.gov

One note: Officials are advising people to avoid the Missouri River and its tributaries due to hazards related to flooding and impending flooding.