2 Florida License-Free Fishing Weekends In June

SARASOTA, FL — If you like to fish but haven't gotten around to buying a license, the state of Florida is giving you two opportunities this June to enjoy license-free fishing.

Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, will be license-free saltwater fishing days — not only for the state's more than 20 million residents, but for the tourists who drop in for a visit to the Sunshine State.

The following weekend you can experience license-free freshwater fishing on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday June 9.

"We ultimately want to reach everyone, so everybody can enjoy the outdoors," Officer Tyson Matthews of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told Patch. "It's kind of just an initial stepping stone for people to get out there and try fishing, if they haven't, so they don't have to purchase a license."

He said both weekends also provide great opportunities to introduce children to fishing.

"It's just a good opportunity for people to experience the outdoors at no cost," Matthews added.

All other rules such as seasons, bag and size limits apply during the license-free fishing days, according to the agency.