Day: May 16, 2014

Memorial Day Marks First Pennsylvania Fish-for-Free DayrnrnHARRISBURG, Pa., May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Families and friends visiting Pennsylvania’s popular outdoor spots over the Memorial Day holiday weekend can enjoy a day of free fishing, thanks to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).rnrnMemorial Day – Monday, May 26 – marks the first of two free fishing days in the Commonwealth. Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone – residents and non-residents – to legally fish in Pennsylvania without a fishing license. From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on both days, no fishing license is needed to fish in Pennsylvania’s waterways. All other fishing regulations apply.rnrn”Fish-for-Free days are an easy way to introduce friends and family to the sport of fishing,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “Many families spend the day at lakes and parks throughout the state. Now they can try fishing at no cost. We know that once people try it, particularly kids, they will see that fishing is a great recreational activity and they will want to do it more.”rnrnNewcomers to the sport can borrow equipment from dozens of fishing tackle loaner sites across the state.rnrn”We want to encourage individuals to try fishing so we’ve made it easy by setting up tackle loaner sites,” adds Laurel Anders, director of the Bureau of Boating and Outreach. “Many of the sites are right at state parks, which are always a popular place for visitors on Memorial Day. But we also have loaner sites at county parks and some public libraries.”rnrnClick here for the list of loaner sites.rnrnThe second Fish-for-Free Day is Independence Day – Friday, July 4.rnrnMore information is available on the PFBC website at: www./fishandboat.com/fishforfree.htm. The website includes interactive maps, regional fishing reports, and tips on fishing fundamentals.rnrnRegional Media Contacts – Please contact a regional outreach coordinator for more information and to set up on-the-water interviews with Waterways Conservation Officers.rnrnNorthwest Region (Counties – Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren)rnrnKeith Edwardsrn(814) 336-2426rnkedwards@pa.govrnSouthwest Region (Counties – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland)rnDennis Tubbsrn(814) 443-9841rndtubbs@pa.govrnNorthcentral and Southcentral Regions (NC Counties – Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union; SC Counties – Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York)rnCarl Richardsonrn(717) 705-7848rncrichardso@pa.govrnNE and SE Regions (NE Counties – Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming; SE Counties – Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill)rnWalt Dietzrn(570) 477-2206rnwdietz@pa.govrnSOURCE Pennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://fishandboat.com/fishforfree.htm