Free fishing day good for all ... except maybe the fish

Saturday could be a great day for families and anglers but a bad day to be a fish.

The state's 16th annual Free Fishing Day, when fishing will be legal without a license or trout stamp, is expected to draw thousands of families to local shores and banks in pursuit of freshly planted trout, catfish and bass.

Officials at one popular spot, the Sparks Marina, hope to see as many as 2,500 anglers this year.

"It's really an opportunity for family interaction," said Kathleen Bloom, recreation supervisor for the city of Sparks. "We really encourage adults to come out and fish with the kids and teach them how to fish."

Hatchery-reared trout have been planted the the Nevada Department of Wildlife in most fishable waters in the state. Kevin Baily of the Carson Fly fishing Club said the best spots to fish close to Carson City include Lampe Park in Douglas County, Davis Creek and Wilson Commons in Washoe Valley, and Washoe Lake.

In conjunction with the free fishing day, Nevada State Parks will not charge admission fees for any state parks that include fishable waters, including Lahontan State Recreation Area, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Walker Lake State Recreation Area, Washoe Lake State Park.

Some planned events include:

-- "Take a Kid Fishing" day at the Rancho San Rafael Park pond, held by the state Department of Wildlife with Raley's Supermarkets and the city of Reno.

-- Free Fishing Day event at the Sparks Marina.

The state reminds anglers that although the fishing license and trout stamp are not required to fish, all other laws and regulations relating to limits, bait and tackle restrictions and area closures still apply.