Our experienced, friendly instructors will introduce you to fishing in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. With step-by-step direction, you'll learn fishing basics like knot-tying, setting up your pole, casting, selecting and using bait, and removing fish from the hook. After the 20- to 30-minute lesson, you'll be ready to hit the water and exercise your new skills.

Guess what else? The instruction and fishing is FREE! Persons under age 17 don't need to have a license. Plus, you're welcome to bring your own equipment, but if you don't have a rod and reel, don't worry. The Fishing in the Parks program supplies everything you need to get started.

So gather your friends and family and come spend an evening with us at a Michigan State Park. The program gets underway in June and runs through the middle of August. Please contact the individual park for days and times. Motor vehicle permits are required to enter all Michigan State Parks and can be purchased at the park entrance.

Fishing in the Parks is available at the parks listed below:

• Bay City Recreation Area, Bay City, 989-667-0717

• Brighton Recreation Area, Brighton, 810-229-6566

• Cedar River State Harbor, Cedar River, 906-864-1040

• Fort Custer Recreation Area, Augusta, 269-731-4200

• Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Copper Harbor, 906-289-4215

• Hayes State Park, Onsted, 517-467-7401

• Holland State Park, Holland, 616--399-9390

• Holly Recreation Area, Holly, 248-634-8811

• Ionia Recreation Area, Ionia, 616-527-3750

• Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area, Metamora, 810-797-4439

• Muskegon State Park, Muskegon, 231-744-3480

• Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, Waterford, 248-666-1020

• Port Crescent State Park, Port Austin, 989-738-8663

• Proud Lake Recreation Area, Commerce Twp., 248-685-2433

• Rifle River Recreation Area, Lupton, 989-473-2258

• Sleepy Hollow State Park, Laingsburg, 517-651-6217

• South Higgins State Park, Roscommon, 989-821-6374

• Sterling State Park, Monroe, 734-289-2715

• Tawas Point State Park, East Tawas, 989-362-5041

• Van Riper State Park, Champion, 906-339-4461

• Wells State Park, Cedar River, 906-863-9747

• Yankee Springs Recreation Area, Middleville, 269-795-9081

For camping reservations, go online or call 800-44-PARKS.