ODNR: Free fishing days for Ohio residents June 20-21
Ohio’s annual free fishing weekend gives residents the chance to fish at any of the state’s public fishing locations without a license. Annual fishing licenses for Ohio residents are $25 — or residents can buy a lifetime license for $599.04. The three-year harvest average for the spring season is 17,173 wild turkeys.
June is the only weekend of the year where Ohioans 16 and older can fish in public waters, including the Ohio River, without a fishing license. East Fork, Little Miami and Stonelick state parks are just a few fishing areas. Ohio wild turkey hunters harvested 11,872 birds during the spring season that concluded on Sunday, May 29, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The total statewide harvest represents 30 days of hunting in two zones between April 23 and May 29, and includes the 1,103 wild turkeys taken during the youth season April 9-10. The sales of fishing licenses, along with the Sport Fish Restoration program, continue to fund the Division of Wildlife’s fish management operations. No state tax dollars are used for these activities. An estimated 1.3 million Ohioans fish in the Buckeye State every year. Ohio’s annual free fishing weekend provides Ohio residents the chance to experience any one of hundreds of public fishing locations on Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19. CINCINNATI — Want to take advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend?
Anglers 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters when not fishing on Ohio’s free fishing days weekend. Fishing licenses are available from participating agents and at wildohio.gov. This will be the only weekend of the year in which residents 16 and older can fish public waters without purchasing a fishing license. During that weekend, residents can fish for free in any of Ohio’s public waters, including those of Lake Erie and the Ohio River. All other fishing regulations, size limits and bag limits apply.
Get the family to some water for National Fishing and Boating Week, a celebration of fishing and boating the first week of June every year. The week highlights the benefits of recreational boating and fishing, as well as preserving our country’s natural beauty. • Use live bait to increase the chance of catching a fish. • Choose a pond, lake or stream where children will be able to easily catch a few fish. Anglers are encouraged to introduce someone new to fishing, especially youth, and make lasting memories on the water.
Ashland County ended the year with 134 turkeys checked in, Holmes County, 176, and Wayne County, 99. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For a full list of participating states and dates if you’re traveling, click here.
Beginners who want to test out their talents are encouraged to use a pond, lake or stream and use live bait. While fishing licenses aren’t required, all other fishing regulations still apply. It is the only weekend all year when those 16 years old or older are not required to obtain a fishing license to fish in the state’s public waters. In Kentucky, residents can fish without a license during the first full weekend in June every year. Indiana offers multiple free fishing days, including Sept. 24 this year.
Neighboring states have different free days for fishing, so it’s the perfect chance to plan a day or weekend trip for some fishing. Many states offer Free Days for Fishing on select weekends to celebrate. Anglers of all ages are allowed to fish on public bodies of water without a license. Each state celebrates different weekends with free fishing days throughout the year.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Columbus on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap. Single adult tickets are $50 and youth 17-under tickets are $20. The night will also include multiple raffles, with the opportunity to win such items as guns and a Can-Am 650.
During the 2021 season, the number checked was 14,546. New in the spring 2022 season, hunters could only harvest one bearded turkey. In previous seasons, dating back to 1992, the season limit was two bearded turkeys. In 2021, there were 1,824 hunters who harvested a second turkey.
Dion Liriano is a 51-year-old American zookeeper who has retired from the business. He was once a highly successful director of the Zoo and Aquarium, but he has since hung up his gloves and moved on to other ventures. Dion's passion for animals began at a young age, when he would help his father care for their family pets. This love grew exponentially when he started working at the zoo; Dion quickly became one of the most experienced keepers in the business. He credits his success to the relationships he built with both staff and animals over the years.