As an annual reminder, if you have been procrastinating about buying a fishing license this year, and if you would like to go fishing, then Saturday, June 11 is going to be a very special day in your life.
June 11 is Free Fishing Day in both Nevada and California.
So if you've been wanting to fish in either state, but haven't done so for any number of reasons (procrastinating, lazy, frugal (AKA cheap), just moved here, haven't had the time, been working, doing Honey Do's, etc.), June 11 is going to be a golden opportunity to fish for one day, wherever you desire.
And you can do it in Nevada or in California or in both states at absolutely no cost to you for a license. Not too shabby of a deal!
You can fish without a license, but be advised you will still need to abide by all of the regular rules and regulations that govern whatever water(s) you will be fishing.
Just remember to obey the rules and regulations and you'll have a ton of fun. So don't be tempted to do something stupid or illegal.
By way of historical background, way back in 1987, Nevada lawmakers adopted legislation to create a Free Fishing Day. That first day was then held on June 11, 1988.
This year, to insure your free fishing day will be a memorable experience, the California Department of Fish and Game, various California Counties and the Nevada Department of Wildlife will be busy planting thousands of trout into many of their waters.
If you don't know where to go fishing on June 11, here's a small sampling of some selected nearby waters that you can fish in either state. And as a special Don Q hint, the best locations picked by yours truly, are listed in bold print.
Pick one or more and go fishing:
• CALIFORNIA:
RIVERS: East Carson, West Carson, Feather, Truckee, East Walker, West Walker, etc.
Note: The East and West Carson will have both been planted from bridges, so the best fishing will be downstream from those locations.
CREEKS: Buckeye, Green (lots of mosquitoes!), Markleeville, Red, Robinson, Rush, Silver, Virginia, Wolf, etc.
RESERVOIRS: Boca, Bridgeport, Frenchmen's, Indian Creek, Kinney, Stampede, etc.
Note: Indian Creek will be your best bet, but be advised that it will be crowded.
LAKES: Alpine, Upper and Lower Blue, Bucks, Caples, Convict, Crater, Davis, Donner, Eagle, Frog, the June Lake Loop (Grant, Gull, June and Silver), Kirman (Carmen), Lundy, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Poore, Red, Roosevelt-Lane, Secret, Scott, Silver, Upper and Lower Sunset, Tahoe, Tamarack, Upper and Lower Twin, the Virginia Lakes area, Winnemucca, Woods, etc.
Note: Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop and Lower Twin Lake will have been planted with Alper's Trophy Rainbow Trout, which can run up to 6-8 pounds!
• NEVADA:
RIVERS: Main Carson, east of Carson City (Remember to fish downstream from the bridges). East Carson in Douglas County. West Carson in Douglas County. Truckee in Washoe County. East Walker in Lyon County (Watch out for rattlesnakes). West Walker in Lyon County (Lots of posted, private property).
CREEKS: Ash Canyon, west of Carson City (Access is restricted due to logging activities). Clear, south of Carson City (Lots of posted, private property). American Flat in Storey County. Desert in Douglas County. Galena, Jones and Whites, all in Washoe County.
RESERVOIRS: Hobart, west of Carson City (Access restricted due to logging activities). Lahontan in both Churchill and Lyon Counties. Squaw Valley in Washoe County.
LAKES: Tahoe. Topaz, plus the Topaz Canal. Virginia in downtown Reno. Walker, north of Hawthorne.
PONDS: Davis Creek Park in Washoe Valley. North Pond and Hinkson Slough at the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area. Paradise in Northern Reno/Sparks. Wilson Common in Washoe Valley. Mt. View Park in Yerington.
Note: If you don't want to travel too far, then Davis Creek and Wilson Common Ponds in Washoe Valley should be very enticing.
• THERE YOU HAVE IT:
All kinds of places for you and your entire family to have fun on Free Fishing Day. Pick one or more of those choices, pack a huge picnic lunch, load everyone into the family vehicle and then go out and enjoy a day of free fishing.
Have fun, good luck fishing and take lots of pictures!
• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you if either Nevada or California has a second Free Fishing Day, each year.
If he grins and says, "Nevada has only one free fishing day each year, while California will have another Free Fishing Day on Sept. 24 this year," he/she is not a pigeon.