If you have not yet bought a fishing license this year, and if you have been toying with the idea of going fishing, put a big red circle around the date of Saturday, June 9.
That is Free Fishing Day in both Nevada and California.
So if you've been wanting to fish, but haven't done so for any number of reasons (procrastinating, lazy, frugal, cheap, just moved here, haven't had the time, been busy doing "honey do's," or whatever, be advised June 9 is going to be your chance to fish for one day, without a license, wherever you desire.
You will be able to fish without a license, however you will still need to abide by all of the regular rules and regulations that govern whatever water you will be fishing. Obey all the rules and regulations. Don't be tempted to do something illegal.
The Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game, various California Counties and the Nevada Department of Wildlife have been busy as bees, planting many thousands of rainbow trout into their waters.
If you don't know where to go fishing, here are some suggestions:
Calif. Rivers:
The East Carson and West Carson will have both been planted from their bridges. Best fishing is downstream from those locations.
The East Walker has big trout, but it has special restrictions from the Bridgeport Dam downstream to the California-Nevada stateline.
The West Walker is best in the Walker River Canyon, upstream from the town of Walker.
Calif. Creeks:
Buckeye and Robinson, both west of Bridgeport, have nice trout but will be crowded with anglers.
Green, also west of Bridgeport, has good fishing but it is notorious for mosquitoes. Don't say you weren't warned!
Rush in the June Lake Loop will also be crowded.
Silver on S.R. 4 will have been planted with some nice rainbows.
Calif. Reservoirs:
Bridgeport can produce some eye-popping trout, both from shore and from a boat.
Frenchman Reservoir, north of Chilcoot, has nice rainbows.
Indian Creek, between Woodfords and Markleeville, has some awesome trout. If you catch one, take it into the Woodfords General Store at Woodfords for owner Dave Kirby to take your picture.
Stampede has brown, Mackinaw and rainbow trout, plus lots of small Kokanee salmon.
Calif. Lakes:
Upper and Lower Blue, out of Hope Valley, have average sized trout and giant sized mosquitoes.
Caples can produce an occasional, huge Mackinaw trout.
Convict, the June Lake Loop (Grant, Gull, June and Silver) and the Mammoth Lakes Basin (George, Mamie, Mary and Twin) will have been planted with Alper's Trophy Rainbow Trout, which can run up to 6-8 pounds. Those waters will be jam-packed with anglers.
Red on S.R. 88 is close to home and the home of brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout.
Upper and Lower Twin, west of Bridgeport, have produced the last two state record brown trout (each was over 25 pounds).
Nevada Rivers:
Carson, east of Carson City will have been planted from its bridges, so your best fishing will be downstream from those locations.
East Walker in Lyon County. This is a long drive. Be sure to keep an eye out for all kinds of wildlife.
West Walker in Lyon County. Fishable but not a really good choice due to limited access.
Nevada Creeks:
Ash Canyon, west of Carson City, is better the further uphill you hike.
Clear, south of Carson City. Not a good choice due to limited access and posted, private property.
Desert in Douglas County has average-sized rainbows and browns. If you're lucky, you might even spot a black bear.
Nevada Reservoirs:
Hobart, west of Carson City is best in the very early morning or very late afternoon. It requires a one-mile hike from your vehicle.
Lahontan is a good choice at this time of the year for all kinds of warm-water fish.
Squaw Creek, north of Gerlach, is a long drive but has nice trout.
Nevada Lakes:
Topaz is good for laid-back, lazy-style shore fishing.
Virginia in downtown Reno. Be sure not to step in the Goose poop.
Walker, north of Hawthorne. Nice cutthroat, but take your own shade, there are no trees.
Nevada Ponds:
Davis Creek Park and Wilson Common, both in Washoe Valley are close to home.
There you have it:
All kinds of choices for Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 9.
Pick one, load the family into the car, go fishing, hvve fun, catch fish and take pictures of your big trophy fish for the Outdoors page!
• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you if either state has a second Free Fishing Day, each year.
If he grins and says, "Nevada only has one free fishing day each year, while California will have another Free Fishing Day on Sept. 22 this year," he wins this bet.
• Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.