Texas anglers will celebrate a Free Sportfishing Day on Saturday that will allow them to fish any public waters without a fishing license.
The free fishing day will highlight National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs through Sunday. Both resident and non-resident anglers will be allowed to fish without a license and will not be required to have special stamps, such as the freshwater or saltwater fishing stamps.Numerous local communities and state and government agencies across the country have planned fishing-related events this week to encourage families to enjoy fishing and boating.Two national wildlife refuges in Texas have Family Fishing Day events planned Saturday Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge (936-336-9786) and the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (409-252-4311). Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson (979-292-0100) will hold a National Fishing Day event 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Saturday.Also, TPWD began a Free Fishing in State Parks program in 2004 that allows anyone to fish year-round in about 70 Texas state parks without a fishing license or stamp endorsement.To capitalize on the program, several state parks are hosting special events Saturday and throughout the summer where participants can learn fishing skills, rules and regulations and have a chance to hook a fish and win door prizes that include fishing equipment.Information on year-round fishing in certain state parks is available at on Texas Parks & Wildlife's fishing and boating page.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
