Fish-for-Free Events Scheduled at Six Waters on Memorial Day

Harrisburg, PA – Vacationers visiting six popular waters on Memorial Day can learn to fish and enjoy other outdoor activities during the Fish-for-Free Day sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). At the same time, anglers may land a prize-winning fish.

The PFBC is hosting the special events on Monday, May 30, in conjunction with Cabela’s national “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?” contest. As part of the contest, fish were tagged in eight waters. Every tag carries a prize.

Fish-for-Free events will be held at six locations. The waters and species of tagged fish include:

• NE Region: Lake Wallenpaupack (Pike and Wayne counties) — PFBC Access (Access #750 on PFBC maps). The tagged fish include walleye and smallmouth bass.
• SE Region: Lake Nockamixon in Nockamixon State Park (Bucks County) — Tohickon Access (Access #981 on PFBC maps). Tagged fish include largemouth bass.
• NC Region: Foster Joseph Sayers Lake in Bald Eagle Creek State Park (Centre County) — Pavilion 7 at the day-use area. Tagged fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass.
• SC Region: Raystown Lake (Huntingdon County) — Visitor center at Seven Points Marina. Tagged fish include largemouth bass and walleye.
• NW Region: Presque Isle Bay (Erie County) — Perry Monument. Tagged fish include largemouth bass.
• SW Region: Emsworth Pool, Three Rivers, Pittsburgh — Braddock public ramp (Access #328 on PFBC maps). Tagged fish include smallmouth bass.

“Fish-for-Free days are a convenient 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.”

In addition to providing free fishing tips, PFBC outreach and education staff will have exhibits, free publications and more at the six selected sites. Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish. No fishing license is required to fish on these days. All other fishing regulations apply. The second Fish-for-Free Day is Labor Day, Sept. 5.

More information about Fish-for-Free Days is available on the PFBC website at: www./fishandboat.com/fishforfree.htm.

The Cabela’s contest officially started on May 14 and runs through July 14. Anglers can register through the PFBC website at www.fishandboat.com/fishformillions.htm for a chance at landing the $2.2 million prize. The remaining two waters in the Cabela’s contest include:

• Penns Creek (Centre County) — Tagged fish include rainbow trout.
• Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park (Butler County) — Tagged fish include largemouth bass and walleye.

To help reporters with stories and websites, the PFBC has created several media resources pages which contain high-resolution tagging photos and videos. High-resolution logos can also be downloaded. The web page for the fishing contest is located at: www.fishandboat.com/media-resources/fish-tagging/tagging-contest-media.htm. The web page for Fish-for-Free Days is available at: www.fishandboat.com/media-resources/fffd-media-page/fffd-media.htm.

The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.