Families can rediscover the joy of fishing this weekend, June 4-5.

Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles or any adult can fish for free this weekend throughout Kentucky. Kids under the age of 16 can fish without a license anyway, so free fishing weekend offers a good opportunity for entire families to enjoy the late spring sunshine with a picnic and a day of wholesome fun.

Free fishing applies to friends and relatives visiting Kentucky from out of state as well. Size and creel limits on the number of fish that angles may keep still apply, however. 

Kentucky is full of places to catch fish. For those living in the state’s cities and larger communities, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers 34 lakes enrolled in the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program. These lakes are located in parks accessible to the public and offer good fishing from the bank – no boat necessary. Recently, 25 FINs lakes received stockings of channel catfish in preparation for this weekend.

For a listing of all FINs lakes, maps, directions and stocking schedules, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at: http://fw.ky.gov/urbanfishing.asp.

Several other fishing events geared toward kids are happening this weekend. A sampling of some of these events includes:   

• Barren County: Barren River State Resort Park, youth fishing derby for kids ages 15 and under, beginning at 9 a.m. CST June 4. Fishing poles and bait provided. Park is located southeast of Bowling Green off U.S.31 East.
• Clay County: Little Double Creek Pond, 22nd annual kids’ fishing event, 9 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. Open to kids 16 and under. Free. Food and drinks provided to participants. Prizes to include camping and fishing equipment. Anglers should bring their own bait and fishing equipment. The pond is located in the Redbird District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, due east of London off KY 66.
• Franklin County: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters, kids’ fishing events, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST Friday, June 3, and 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST Saturday, June 4. Youths who are 15 or under may fish in the larger upper lake during those times. The lower lake will remain open to all anglers. The upper lake will open to all anglers after 10 a.m. EST Saturday. A special stocking of the upper lake will include approximately 600 channel catfish ranging in size from 2-15 pounds and a handful of 12-pound striped bass. Prior to the stocking, officials will close the upper lake at noon Friday, June 3. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters is located off U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127.
• Jackson County: Turkey Foot Recreation Area, War Fork Creek, kids and seniors fishing event, 8:30 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. For kids 5-15, and senior anglers over 60. Area closed the day prior to the event. Area located north of McKee, off KY 89.
• Lawrence County: Yatesville Lake State Park Marina, Shelter 1, kids’ fishing day, 9 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. Bring own gear and bait. Lunch provided. To register, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (606) 686-2412.
• Leslie County: Hyden Day in the Park, Riverfront Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST June 4. Fishing and inflatable bounce rooms for kids. Lunch provided to kids. Park is located off KY 257, on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River.
• Madison County: Lake Reba, free kid’s fishing derby, beginning at 8 a.m. EST June 4. Lake is located east of Richmond, off Robert R. Martin Bypass then Gibson Bay Drive.
• Marshall/Livingston County: Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Junior Angler Open, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. CST. Geared toward anglers ages 7 and up. Staff will provide fishing tips and casting advice. Registration is $5. Some bait provided, bring your own fishing gear. Door prizes. Casting contest at 10:30 a.m., hotdog cookout for participants at 11 a.m. A completed waiver of liability and release form will be required to participate. To register or for more information, call 1-800-325-0146, ext. 412. The park is located off U.S. 641 west of Grand Rivers.
• Menifee County: Kids’ fishing derby, Indian Creek within the Red River Gorge, 8 a.m. to noon EST June 4. For kids 5-15. Smokey the Bear will be available for photos with kids and their fish. To reach the fishing location, take KY 77 through the Nada Tunnel, cross the steel bridge across Indian Creek, then turn left on the next gravel road. For more information, call (606) 663-8100.
• Pulaski County: Goodwater Pond, Daniel Boone National Forest, 8:30 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. Open to youth ages 5 to 15, and seniors over the age of 60.
• Rowan County: Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery, southwest of Morehead, off KY 801, 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST June 4. Fishing allowed in two hatchery ponds for kids up to age 15. Ponds stocked with trout, catfish and bass. Free registration. Bring own gear, some bait provided. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Prizes and goodie bags provided to participants.
• Russell County: Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, 25th Annual Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby, for kids up to age 15, beginning 9 a.m. CST, June 4. Prizes, free registration. Different age groups fish at different times throughout the day. Poles furnished for kids under 5 years old, others must bring their own fishing gear. Visit www.catcharainbow.org online, or call (270) 343-3797 for more information. Area located at the hatchery creek below Wolf Creek Dam, off U.S. 127, approximately 12 miles south of Jamestown.

These are just some of the events going on across the state this weekend. Some state parks will also offer special programs and have loaner fishing equipment available for visiting anglers. For more information about the park nearest you, go online to: http://parks.ky.gov.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our website at fw.ky.gov.