Free Fishing Day Coming June 8! All Kids To Get Free Tackle Boxes Courtesy Of Karl Malone

IDAHO FALLS - What has always been fun, just got even funner! Free Fishing Day started in 1985 and has grown ever since. This year, thanks to a generous donation of fishing tackle and equipment by Salt Lake Jazz star Karl Malone, all kids attending a Free Fishing Day clinic in the Upper Snake Region will receive a free kid's tackle box. This year the event falls on Saturday, June 8th. Free fishing day is the one day of the year when no license is required to fish. This incredible opportunity is open to everyone, and you don't even have to be a resident to participate! While everyone gets to fish free, the real point of the day is to help expose kids to the fun of fishing. In addition to the kid's tackle boxes, free bait will be available! Many rivers and reservoirs have been stocked recently to make sure novice anglers have the best possible shot at a successful first outing. Folks planning to take advantage of free fishing day should remember that all other fishing regulations remain intact and fees are still charged for camping in the state parks. Anglers this year will get an added bonus because Free Fishing Day happens to fall during the season that the Idaho Fish & Game Commission has set a season for hatchery Chinook. Even though wild Chinook are listed as an Endangered Species, a surplus of hatchery fish returning allows for a limited sport fishery. Special rules apply; anglers should pick-up a salmon regulations flyer. IDFG staff, volunteers and other natural resources' agencies staff will be on hand at the following fishing spots help teach youngsters to tie fishing knots, bait hooks, and cast properly. The ever-popular kids fishing pond at Ashton Hatchery has been renewed for this year! I.F. Area - Roberts Gravel Pond 9:00 a.m. to noon Rexburg Area - Rexburg City ponds west of fair grounds - 9:00 a.m. to noon Swan Valley - Yeamon Scout Pond -2 miles south of Palisades Dam on Fall River Road - sponsored by U.S. Forest Service - 9:30 a.m. - noon Teton Valley - Trail Creek Pond - Southeast of Victor - 9:00 a.m. - noon Island Park - Mill Creek Pond - 2 miles west of McCrea's Bridge on the Yale-Kilgore Road - 9:00 a.m. - noon Ashton - Ashton Hatchery-Advanced registration required by calling IDFG OFFICE in Idaho Falls at 525-7290. Sessions at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., & 11:00 a.m. Open to kids ages five to 12 years of age only. Limited amounts of tackle and gear will be available for use at many locations. It is important that a parent or guardian accompany all children. Adults and single-parent families are strongly encouraged to come and learn more about our proud national fishing heritage.