Fair weather forecast for free fish day

RENO - Mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures are forecast for Saturday, making good conditions for anglers of all ages - including nonresidents - to head out for Nevada's 13th annual free fishing day.

''Free Fishing Day provides the perfect opportunity for families to spend the day together in an activity they may have never tried before,'' said Dave Rice, the Nevada Division of Wildlife's chief conservation educator.

The Nevada Legislature enacted a law in 1987 permitting both residents and nonresidents to fish one day a year without a license or trout stamp. The first one took place June 11, 1988.

To prepare for this year's event, catchable-size trout have been planted in most fishable waters across the state.

''Anglers old and new alike stand a good chance of catching fish,'' Rice said.

The state of Oklahoma developed the concept of free fishing day in 1982, five years before Nevada joined the movement. Almost every other state in the nation also has set aside license requirements for one or two days a year to introduce fishing to people who haven't tried it before.

All of Nevada's neighbors - Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah and Oregon - have adopted the event. Many Nevada communities hold special free fishing day programs.

In Reno, for example, ''Take A Kid Fishing'' day at Idlewild Park includes free hot dogs, chips, soda and ice cream.

Rice noted that while fishing license and trout stamp requirements are suspended on Saturday, all other laws and regulations apply including limits, bait and tackle restrictions and closed areas remain closed.