(13/P61) TRENTON – In its annual weekend event to introduce freshwater fishing to families and novices across the state, the Christie Administration is holding Free Fishing Days on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

On these two special days, anglers have the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest freshwater fishing in the Northeast without needing to purchase a license or a trout stamp. The weekend event is designed to get families hooked on a new, exciting activity, while also giving out-of-state visitors a chance to sample New Jersey’s waters for fishing.

“Free Fishing Days provide the perfect opportunity for families and friends to discover the simple pleasures of fishing and enjoying time together in the outdoors,” Commissioner Martin said. “As the word spreads about the exceptional fishing here in New Jersey, a growing number of out-of-state anglers also come here for their free fishing opportunity every June.’’

Free Fishing Days are held annually in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week. While no license or trout stamp is needed, other regulations, including size and daily catch limits remain in effect.

 “Cold, clear streams support a top rate year-round trout fishery and our warm-water fishing is spectacular thanks to the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s development of fisheries for a number of popular game fish over the last 25 years,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda.

“Muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish and hybrid striped bass fisheries are now thriving and New Jersey anglers routinely catch many world-class sized fish,” he said

New Jersey offers every type of fishing for every level of angler. Outstanding statewide fisheries for largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel and numerous pan fish species round out the fishing choices available.

For more information on Free Fishing Days, visit: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ffd.htm

There you will also find three regional brochures to help you find lakes and ponds with public fishing access close to home. These “Great Fishing Close to Home” brochures contain information on each water body's acreage, the nearest town, site amenities, boat and shoreline fishing, the fish available and fishing tips for each species.

These brochures focus primarily on lakes and ponds with warm-water and cool-water fisheries. A comprehensive list of 'Where to' and 'how to' trout fishing information, including directions to more than 300 trout fishing access points, is also available on the Fish and Wildlife website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishing_fresh.htm.

For those with mobile devices, the free Pocket Ranger® New Jersey Fish and Wildlife application is a cutting-edge mobile app that provides on-the-spot information on the state’s fish species and how and where to fish for them.

The app also has powerful GPS capabilities and is a comprehensive information source for all the state’s fish and wildlife species and provides extensive mapping of public open spaces and access points for hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife watching. Both Apple and Android versions of the app can be downloaded at http://www.pocketrangerexchange.com/apps/nj-fw/apps.php .

Anglers are urged to respect private landowners who allow fishing on their properties by obeying boundary signs and not littering. Fishing regulations can be obtained through the Pocket Ranger® New Jersey Fish and Wildlife application, online at www.njfishandwildlife.com, or the 2013 NJ Freshwater Fishing Digest available for free at Fish and Wildlife offices or where fishing licenses are sold.