New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 31, 2011:

SATURDAY IS FREE FISHING DAY – NO LICENSE REQUIRED

The summer vacation season is officially upon us, and what better way to celebrate than a day of free fishing at any of New Mexico’s public waters?

Saturday, June 4 is Free Fishing Day in New Mexico, a special day when the State Game Commission grants anglers of all ages, residents and nonresidents, a day of free fishing in public waters statewide. No license, stamps or special permits are needed, although bag limits and all other fishing rules apply.

Also Saturday, the Department of Game and Fish, the U.S. Forest Service and other conservation partners will conduct several free fishing clinics at waters across the state. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate. All you need is basic fishing equipment and a desire to fish in New Mexico’s great outdoors.

At least 130 volunteers and more than 20 Department staff will be at the clinics to provide fishing instructions and information about New Mexico’s fish and fish habitat. Young anglers will learn the basics: how to bait hooks, tie knots, catch fish and the correct way to release them. They’ll also learn how to be responsible anglers and how to get the most out of the Department’s Fishing Rules and Information Booklet. Waters at almost all the clinics will be generously stocked with catchable-sized trout or channel catfish before the events.

Saturday’s fishing clinics include:

• Eagle Rock Lake, Red River, 8 a.m. to noon, trout.
• Roswell Wal-Mart, 7 to 11 a.m. -- The Department of Game and Fish will generously stock a large swimming pool with big catfish for this event.
• Blue Hole Park Pond, Santa Rosa, 8 a.m. to noon, catfish.
• Las Cruces Alumni Pond, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., catfish.
• Lake Roberts, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Third Annual Aldo Leopold Kids Fishing Derby and Festival will feature special activities and fishing for trout, bass and catfish. As a bonus this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will stock the lake with more than 200 large native Gila trout.
• Tingley Beach, Albuquerque, 8-11:30 a.m., trout and catfish.
• Aztec Fishing Pond, Riverside Park, 8-11:30 a.m., trout.
• Grants Riverwalk Pond, 8 a.m. to noon, trout and catfish.

For more information about the clinics, please contact Kevin Holladay at (505) 476-8095 or keven.holladay@state.nm.us.

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Tune in to New Mexico Game and Fish TV:
“New Mexico Wildlife”
6:30 a.m. Saturdays on KASA Channel 2, Albuquerque
6:30 p.m. Sundays on KENW, Portales
7:30 p.m. Thursdays on KRWG, Las Cruces