41.9 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeArts/LeisureTennessee's Free Fishing Day Set for Saturday, June 9th

Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day Set for Saturday, June 9th

Anyone can fish on Saturday June 9th without a license, Kids up to the age of 15 can continue to fish without a license between June 9th – June 15th. Clarksville to play host to youth fishing rodeo on June 9th.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - TWRANashville, TN – Tennessee’s annual Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 9th, a day when anyone may fish free without a license in the state’s public waters.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows everyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport, especially children. catfish

In addition, children ages 13-15 may continue fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 15th).

A young girl with her catch at the 2009 Youth Fishing Rodeo in Clarksville, Tennessee
A young girl with her catch at the 2009 Youth Fishing Rodeo in Clarksville, Tennessee

The day and week are annual events in Tennessee and are great opportunities to introduce children to the enjoyment and excitement of a day on the water catching fish. The TWRA is among several organizations planning special fishing events, primarily for youngsters. The TWRA annually provides several thousand pounds of fish for stocking for various events.

Clarksville’s Free Fishing Day Events

In Clarksville, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency along with the Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation will be holding the their annual Youth Fishing Rodeo for children up to age 16 at the pond at Liberty Park on June 9th, from 8:00am until 11:00am.

Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish, biggest creel (most fish caught), smallest fish, and many more. Prizes usually include gift certificates from area businesses, as well as fishing equipment and other sporting-goods.

The event has not been held for the last few years due to construction on the new Liberty Park which has recently reopened.

The pond will freshly stocked by the State of Tennessee with catfish; so to ensure the kids all get a chance to catch a fish the pond will be closed to all anglers a few days before the event, sorry anglers!

Only one fishing pole will be allowed per child, and you should bring along bait that would be appropriate for catching catfish and sunfish, there are also bass in the lake.

Judging by previous years good fishing spots and parking Will be at a premium, so plan on arriving early!

For more information about this event, contact Dale Grandstaff via e-mail at Dale.Grandstaff@tn.gov, or the Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation by phone at 931.645.7476 or via e-mail at parksrec@cityofclarksville.com

Photo Gallery

Images from the 2009 Fishing Rodeo in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Around the State

For a list of other Free fishing day events across Tennessee, visit the TWRA wesbite at www.tnwildlife.org and click on the For Anglers section. Anglers and potential anglers should check the events list often since special events are frequently added.

Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers may consult with lake operators if there are any questions about a particular facility.

Who Must Have a Tennessee Fishing License?

If you take fish or attempt to take fish (including crayfish) by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid fishing license. There are some exceptions:

No Fishing License Needed If:

  • You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident).
  • Landowners, their spouses and children, who fish on their farmland which is owned by an individual or a family. Landowners, their spouses and children must be residents of Tennessee but need not reside on the land.
  • Tenants, their spouses and dependent children who fish on farmland owned by an individual or a family. Tenants, their spouses and dependent children must be residents of Tennessee and must actually reside on the land and have permission of the landowner to fish. A tenant is a person who, for money or free rent, or other consideration, cares for farmland. The tenancy must be agricultural in nature.
  • Resident grandchildren (under 16) and resident great-grandchildren (under 16) who fish on farmland which is owned by their resident grandparents or great-grandparents.
  • First cousins who own farmland jointly or in common may fish on the farmland. Their children may fish as well.
  • You are on military leave, carrying a copy of your leave orders. A pass does not meet this requirement.
  • You are a resident who was born before March 1, 1926. (To qualify for this exemption, you must carry proof of your age and residency to show to a wildlife officer, if requested.)
  • It’s Free Fishing Day!
  • It’s Free Fishing Week! Children all ages 15 and younger can fish free during free fishing week.

About the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - TWRAThe mission of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is to preserve, conserve, manage, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors. The Agency will foster the safe use of the state’s waters through a program of law enforcement, education, and access.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has come a long way since it was established in 1949 and was called the Game and Fish Commission. Completely reorganized in 1974, it now consists of more than 600 professionals dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of Tennessee’s fish and wildlife for the enjoyment of all Tennesseans and our visitors.

Their specialists conduct wildlife and aquatic education workshops, protect the state’s vital wetlands; monitor water quality; and preserve the state’s disappearing wildlife species. Their engineers construct boat ramps and docks for the boating and fishing public, while other professionals create accurate, updated maps of Agency-managed properties through a state-of-the-art computer imaging system. Still others sell hunting, fishing, and additional special wildlife recreational licenses; maintain records of the state’s increasing number of registered boats; produce the Tennessee Wildlife magazine, and much, much more.

If you love outdoor sports – boating, hunting, fishing – and the natural world or if you just like to observe wildlife, build birdhouses, maintain a bird feeder or are just curious about the critters in your backyard – the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is here to help enrich your outdoor experience.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwHiShKiTMQ[/youtube]

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles