A new campground with four basic campsites and restroom facilities opened June 5 at the John and Nancy Owen Fishing Access Site on the Bitterroot River near Stevensville. The expansion was made possible by a 6.25-acre donation from Fort Owen Ranch owner to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, along with improved boat trailer parking.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved summer Chinook salmon seasons for the South Fork Salmon, Upper Salmon, and Lochsa rivers. The South Fork Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers open June 18, while the Lochsa River opens May 30, with varying daily and possession limits by location.
Idaho's Free Fishing Day on June 13 offers a great opportunity to fish without a license. The article provides guidance on preparing old fishing gear, including checking rods, reels, and line, and recommends using Idaho Fish and Game's Fishing Planner to find public fishing locations throughout the state.
Tink's, known for deer lures for over 50 years, has expanded into fishing with new spray lures designed to attract more strikes. The product is available in five varieties targeting different species and can be applied to soft plastics, hard bait, or live bait. Tink's fishing spray lures are available at retailers nationwide and tinks.com.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department invites anglers to celebrate Free Fishing Day on June 6, when anyone can fish without a license throughout Wyoming. Multiple Kids Fishing Day events are scheduled statewide, sponsored by organizations including Jackson Hole One Fly, North Platte Walleyes Unlimited, Trout Unlimited chapters, and local communities.
Yamaha Pro Chris Cenci, a decorated redfish tournament angler with 40+ professional top-10 finishes, details his 21' Egret skiff's power system using four Norsk Lithium batteries after testing five brands over ten years. His setup includes a heated 12V 180Ah starting battery, 16V 75Ah electronics battery, and dual 36V 60Ah trolling motor batteries, praised for superior build quality and the Norsk Guardian® App.
Great Falls Family Fishing Day returns June 6 at Wadsworth Pond Park, featuring educational stations on fish identification, knot tying, and casting. The event, supported by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana Walleyes Unlimited, Montana Trout Unlimited, and Sun River Watershed Group, offers free fishing tackle to youth who complete all stations.
MassWildlife is hosting a hike and fish event at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 35 on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will hike approximately 1.5 miles and fish from shore, with equipment available for borrowers. The event welcomes anglers ages 15 and older of all experience levels.
Idaho Fish and Game asks anglers to report tagged fish caught throughout the state. Fisheries biologist Kevin Meyer explains that tag reports help biologists understand catch rates, adjust bag limits, and track fish migrations. The Tag, You're It Program, which won an American Fisheries Society award in 2012, uses this data to improve fishing management.
Vermont's annual Summer Free Fishing Day on June 13 allows resident and nonresident anglers to fish without a license. The Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station offers instruction, activities, and equipment for novice anglers, while Vermont's regular bass season also opens that day.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proclaimed June 12-14 as Free Fishing Weekend in Arkansas, allowing anyone to fish without a license. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host family fishing derbies at four hatcheries: Joe Hogan, Andrew Hulsey, William H. Donham, and Charlie Craig, with registration required for youth 18 and under.
Seventeen-year-old Jeared Barnett set an Arkansas state record by catching an 18¼-inch skipjack herring weighing 2 pounds, 14 ounces in the Ozark Pool. The fish was officially weighed and certified by Chelsea Gilliland, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Large Rivers Biologist, surpassing the previous record held by Gary Brandon Miller.
MassWildlife announced the Hooks and Books program, a partnership with over 25 Massachusetts public libraries providing free fishing equipment loans to communities. The initiative, piloted at Greenfield Public Library, expands access to fishing for all ages and includes free fishing clinics and Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend on June 6-7, 2026, supported by the Massachusetts Community Biodiversity Grants program and Bass Pro Shops.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission advises anglers to minimize fish handling when releasing catches, keeping them in water as much as possible to protect their slime coat. Fisheries outreach manager Daryl Bauer and aquatic education specialist Larry Pape recommend using needle-nose pliers for hook removal and proper techniques for both catch-and-release and harvest situations.
Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources highlights prime fishing destinations for Memorial Day weekend and Free Fishing Day on June 6, when no license is required. Featured locations include Joes Valley Reservoir, Lake Powell, Fish Lake, Strawberry Reservoir, and Bear Lake, offering opportunities for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department released the 2025 Master Angler Program Report with a record 1,222 entries and 90 Master Angler Award recipients, including 28 youth anglers. The program recognizes anglers catching trophy-sized fish from 37 eligible species and includes new changes for 2026, such as individual categories for three Redhorse species.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reminds residents of Free Fishing Days on June 6–7 and September 26, 2026, when fishing licenses are waived for public waters. All other state fishing regulations remain in effect during these designated days.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division is hosting the John Pafford Memorial Kids Fishing Event on June 13, offering free saltwater fishing instruction for children ages 5-12. The event includes bait, tackle, and refreshments, with registration limited to 100 children and advance sign-up required.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) introduced new paddlefish tagging options mirroring big game tag requirements, offering anglers paper or e-tag choices with electronic validation. Mandatory reporting varies by tag area with specific timeframes and methods, and FWP has launched online paddlefish dashboards for yellow, green, and blue tag areas to track harvest rates.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department invites anglers to celebrate Free Fishing Day on June 6, when anyone can fish without a license throughout Wyoming. Multiple Kids Fishing Day events are scheduled statewide, sponsored by organizations including Jackson Hole One Fly, North Platte Walleyes Unlimited, Trout Unlimited chapters, and local communities.