On Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12, 2011, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities, Michigan fishing, for FREE!

All fishing license fees will be waived for two days.Residents and outstate visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations still apply. For Free Fishing events in your area, click on  the counties listed below.
Please note that some events do require pre-registration and/or a park fee. This is not an exhaustive list; please check the Go Get Outdoors calendar for more free fishing events at state parks.

Baraga County
Location: L'Anse Waterfront Park, across the bay from the state park
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DNR Free Fishing Pond for kids
5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament
Details: The Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament will run from 5:00 am until 4:00 pm. Must pre-register, limited to the first 100 boats. The DNR kids fishing event will allow kids to catch and keep rainbow and brook trout. All fishing equipment and bait will be furnished. Additional activities for the entire family will include kid's games, music, and food throughout the day. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the fishing tournament. Visit the festival website at: www.Laketroutfestival.com.
Contact: Dan Dowdy or Kelley Mathes (Baraga State Park) 906-353-6558, Tracey Barrett (Baraga County Visitors Bureau) 1-800-743-4908, Steve Koski (fishing tournament) 906-524-6518

Bay County
Location: Bay City State Recreation Area, Saginaw Bay Visitor Center
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: Free family fishing derby, kids casting contest, fishing clinic, fly fishing workshop, minnow races and more for all ages. Bait and fishing poles will be provided. Refreshments are included. A free raffle will be held to give away 100 fishing poles.
Contact: Valerie Blaschka 989-667-1894

Cheboygan
Location: Cheboygan River at the DNR Field Office
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to Noon
Details: 6th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament for children ages 16 and under accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing poles, tackle and life jackets. Bait will be furnished and limited fishing equipment will be available. Kids will get to talk to a Conservation Officer and visit with Smokey the Bear. Prizes will be awarded. Lunch and refreshments are included.
Contact: LeighAnn Theunick, Cheboygan DNR Field Office, 231-627-9578

Crawford County
Location: Hartwick Pines State Park
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Details: Fishing contest for kids 3 to 17 years of age accompanied by an adult. There will be a limited number of poles along with tackle and bait or feel free to bring your own. Prizes will be awarded to the top three anglers in several categories.
Contact: Craig Casmer 989-348-5293

Delta County
Location: Seven Lakes Campground near Manistique
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: Fishing contest for kids 3 to 17 years of age accompanied by an adult. There will be a limited number of poles along with tackle and bait or feel free to bring your own. Prizes will be awarded to the top three anglers in several categories.
Contact: Brenda Madden 906-341-5666 x17, Vern St. John 906-341-5666 x28, or Gary Olson 906-474-6442 x121

Emmet County
Location: Oden State Fish Hatchery
Alanson, MI
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Details: Catch and release fishing for "first time anglers only" between the age of 5 and 10. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. The event is limited to the first 30 kids to sign up. Come and learn the basic fundamentals that will turn you into a young angler! Poles and bait will be provided. Hatchery tours will be available. Be sure to check out the train car museum, the stream viewing chamber and the new nature bookstore.
Contact: Oden State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center 231-348-0998 Tom Baldwin

Genesee County
Location: Mott Lake at the Bluegill Boat Launch
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: Join us for our 8th Annual Kids Fishing Derby and family fun day. Admission is free however a $7.00 daily park pass is needed to enter the park. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and life jacket. Bait will be furnished and limited fishing equipment will be available. Lunch will be provided.
Contact: Katie Bennett 810-241-0684

Gratiot County
Location: St. Louis Lappien Park
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Details: 13th Annual St. Louis Free Fishing Derby for all ages. Registration starts at 8:00am and all entrants must check in at Leppien Park prior to fishing for derby rules and back tag. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait if you have it. Prizes for biggest fish and most fish caught. Refreshments will be provided. Call or visit the web site at www.stlouismi.com.
Contact: Joe Sholtz 989-681-5378

Gogebic County
Location: Henry Lake campground near Marenisco
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 8 a.m. to Noon
Details: Free fishing derby, casting contest, and fish identification contests for children ages 15 & under, accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. Prizes, and educational displays will be included.
Contact: John Pagel 906-932-1330 x327

Hillsdale County
Location: Lewis Emery Park
Date: June 11
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 pm.
Details: Fishing derby for children ages 16 and under, accompanied by an adult. A donation of a non-perishable item is requested. Please bring your own fishing pole and tackle, bait will be provided. Prizes and refreshments will be included.
Contact: Ted & Peggy Lopresto Hillsdale County Conservation Club 517-523-3243 (evenings)

Ingham County
Location: Valhalla Park
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: Free Fishing Weekend will be combined with Community Kids Day. There will be a fishing derby and casting contest for children ages 15 and under, accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. There will be games, special attractions, prizes and even a free lunch.
Contact: Delhi Township Parks and Recreation Department 517-694-1549

Ingham County
Location: Central Park Pond, near Historical Village
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to Noon
Details: Free fishing fun day for kids 5 to 17 years of age, accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole and bait, as only a limited supply of each will be available. Prizes will be awarded.
Contact: Greg Grothous 517-853-4616

Iron County
Location: Iron River, Lake Ottawa Campground
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 7 a.m. to Noon
Details: Free fishing derby, casting contest, minnow races, fish identification contest and big fish contest for kids ages 16 and under, accompanied by an adult. Registration begins at 7:00am and the fishing derby begins at 8:00am. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. Lunch will be provided starting at 11:00am and prizes will be awarded.
Contact: Scott Pearson 906-358-4027

Isabella County
Location: Herrick Recreaton Area
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 10:00 to 3:00pm
Details: Free fishing derby for kids 5 to 17 years of age, accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole and bait. There will be a limited supply for those that do not have fishing gear. There will be educational displays for the entire family. Prizes and refreshments will be included.
Contact: Isabella County Parks and Recreation 989-772-0911 (ext 340)

Livingston County
Location: Brighton Mill Pond
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Details: Join us for our 25th Brighton Optimists Fishing Derby for Kids. All participants are ages 16 and under and must be accompanied by an adult. Registration starts at 7:30am and fishing starts at 8:00am. Resister at the gazebo the day of the event. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle, bait and a bucket to help keep the fish alive. There will be a casting contest and Fishing-Pro's will give lessons, tips and demonstrations. Prizes and refreshments included.
Contact: Scot Karevich 810-225-2012

Livingston County
Location: Howell City Park Beach on Thompson Lake
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Check-in starts at 8 a.m.; tournament starts at 8:30 a.m.
Details: 4TH Annual Flip-n-Flop Fishing Tournament for kids ages 2 to 15 accompanied by an adult. This event is "Catch & Release" only. Register in advance or that morning. Park entrance fees will be waived before 10:30am however there will be a $7.00 flat fee. Please bring your own fishing pole, bait will be provided. Prizes will be awarded and T-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 paid entries.
Contact: Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority 517-546-0693

Macomb County
Macomb County
Location: Clinton Township Civic Pond
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: There will be a fishing derby from 3:00pm until 5:00pm for kids 16 years of age and younger. Prizes will be awarded. The derby is "Catch & Release" only so all fish will be released back into the pond. Pre-registration is required, so call Clinton Township. There will be an entry fee of $4.00 for residents and $6.00 for non-residents.
Contact: Clinton Township 586-286-9336

Macomb County
Location: Wolcott Mill Historical Center - North Branch of Clinton River
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: noon to 4 p.m.
Details: Fishing clinic for all, children need to be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles and bait will be provided. There will be fish identification, water quality awareness, tackle making, knot tying, casting techniques, and boater safety.
Contact: Kathy Reidt or Bill Thomas, Historical Center, 586-749-5997

Marquette County
Location: Warner Creek at the Richmond Township Community Club
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: 23rd Annual Fishing Derby for kids 16 years of age and younger accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. Breakfast and registration will begin at 7:30am; all anglers must be registered by 11:00am. The fishing derby will run from 9:00am until 1:00pm. Lunch will be provided and prizes will be awarded. Kids eat free, adults will be asked to make a donation.
Contact: Richmond Township Community Club 906-475-4725 or Theresa Mauldin 906-228-7494

Mecosta County
Location: River Walk at Hemlock Park, Big Rapids
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Details: 6th Annual Family Fishing Day for all ages however kids 16 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult. There will be an $8.00 entry fee with all the proceeds going to the "Make A Wish Foundation". Please bring your own fishing pole, bait will be provided. There will be a clown, face painting, educational materials and free T-shirt to the first 50 participants.
Contact: Connie Koepke 1-888-229-4386

Mecosta County
Location: Village of Morley, Latimer Park on Webster Street
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: The whole family is invited to participate in a free fishing event celebrating the important men in kid's lives. Kids under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own fishing pole if you have one if not, a limited supply of poles and bait will be available on a first come, first serve basis. There will be a play park, games and activities as well as educational and community resources. Door prizes and free food will be included.
Contact: Tracy Fair, Mid-Michigan Community Action, 989-386-0892, Additional support from Mecosta/Osceola United Way, Village of Morley and other community partners.

Oakland County
Location: Crooked Lake
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: Meet at the Lakepoint Shelter for an afternoon of family fishing fun. Pre-registration and pre-payment of $3.00 a person is required. Tackle, bait and instruction will be provided. Have fun doing kids crafts and bring a light colored t-shirt to make fish prints. Explore the mini ponds or take a ride on a pontoon boat. There will also be an inflatable obstacle course.
Contact: Independence Oaks County Park 248-625-6473

Oakland County
Location: Riverside Park Auburn Hills
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Details: 8th Annual Kids Fishing Derby for kids ages 16 and under accompanied by an adult. Kids will be fishing for trout and there will be a raffle for prizes.
Contact: Shawn Keenan, Riverside Park, 248-364-6900 (ext 6926)

Ontonagon County
Location: Ontonagon Marina
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: Free fishing derby, casting contest, and fish identification contests for kids ages 15 & under, accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. Prizes, gift bags and educational displays are included. Fyke net demonstration will also be available at Noon.
Contact: Dave Dillman, U.S. Forest Service 906-884-2411 (ext 24)

Saginaw County
Location: Ojibway Island
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., registration at 7:30 a.m.
Details: 31st Annual Free Fishing Derby for kids ages 3 to 15, accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. There will be a limited supply of free bait. Prizes will be included. The first 400 kids will get a bag of goodies.
Contact: Becky Goche 989-759-1669

St. Clair County
Location: County River Day
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: Times vary depending on location, please call for information.
Details: Celebrate St. Clair County's rivers, lakes and bays, featuring outdoor activities occurring simultaneously throughout St. Clair County for the whole family. Activities include river clean ups, fishing derbies, canoeing, tours and more. Activities will be held at nine different locations, so be sure to check our web site. All events are free and kids under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Additional information on our website at www.RiverDayFun.com .
Contact: Sheri Faust 810-987-5306 or riverday@stclaircounty.org

St. Clair County
Location: Celebrate the Lake MacRay Harbor
Date: June 11 and 12, 2011
Time: Times vary depending on event, please call for information.
Details: Celebrate the Lake will have both kids activities and educations displays for the entire family. There will be a kids fishing derby on Saturday from 2:00 till 3:00pm. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. Small prizes will be included. Call for a list of individual events.
Contact: Jeremy Geist or Michele Arquette-Palermo 248-601-0606, Clinton River Watershed Council

Van Buren County
Location: Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, Mattawan MI
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: Catch and release fishing for kids ages 6 to 16. Programs will be offered at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00am. Pre-registration is required, so please call ahead to reserve a spot. Equipment and bait will be provided. Hatchery tours will be available to the public in the morning at 10:00 and 11:00am
Contact: Shana McMillan 269-668-2876

Wayne County
Location: Kensington Metro Park, shore fishing area
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Details: Annual fishing event for kids 4 to 16 accompanied by an adult. Fishing will be from 8:00 to 11:00am. Pre-registration is required by calling Jim or Bob or please send an email to: jimerpi04@comcast.net. Everyone is invited and there is no charge. Animal Magic will have a wildlife show starting at 11:00. Kids will receive a free fishing gift, and will have the chance to buy a volunteer youth fishing license for $2.00. Metro West Steelheaders will pay the $1.00 fee for the DNR Sportcard. There will be a free lunch at Noon.
Contact: Metro West Steelheaders, Jim Robertson 734-383-2790 or Bob Olari 248-787-1582

Wayne County
Location: William Milliken State Park
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Details: Kids Fishing Fest is free for kids 16 and under accompanied by an adult. Bring your own pole, tackle and a bucket. Bait and a limited number of pole will be provided. Kids will enjoy face painting, arts and crafts and the kids fun zone. Refreshments will be served. Please register by June 3rd by going to: www.detroitriverfront.org
Contact: Steve Brock, 313-396-0217 or Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, 313-566-8248

Wexford County
Location: Crystal Lake in Wellston
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to Noon, registration begins at 9 a.m.
Details: The Bobby Brown Memorial Fish Derby sponsored by the Wellston Boosters Association is free for kids ages 2 to 16 accompanied by an adult. The derby runs from 10:00am until 12:00 noon. Please bring your own fishing pole, tackle and bait. There will be a casting contest and Smokey the Bear will visit with the kids. Prizes and refreshments.
Contact: Chris Riley, U.S. Forest Service, 231-723-2211 ext 3122 or Wellston Boosters Assoc., Denise - 231-848-4317 or Char - 231-859-4119