Before National Fishing and Boating Week (June 4-12) winds down, residents of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama can enjoy a Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 11.
Free Fishing Day is the chance to fish recreationally in public waters without a state-issued fishing license. Some lakes may still require fees and permits, and owner's permission is required to fish private ponds.
To interest kids in the sport, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has scheduled several fishing derbies for kids.
* Crossville: 16th annual Meadow Park Lake Kids Fishing Derby for ages 5-15, 6:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CDT, Meadow Park Lake, 1437 City Lake Road. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring a fishing pole, bait and tackle. Contacts: Marlene Potter, 931-788-2034; Jason Miller, Jason.r.Miller@tn.gov.
* Kimball: Kids Free Fishing Event for ages 1-16, 7-11 a.m. CDT at Kimball City Park. Contacts: Marty Griffith, 615-332-5296, Marty.Griffith@tn.gov; Russell Vandergriff, 423-693-6793, Russell.Vandergriff@tn.gov.
* Spring City: Chuck Copeland Memorial Kids Fishing Rodeo for ages 12 and younger, 7-11 a.m., Spring City Veterans Park. Contact: Brandon Ragland, 423-476-1404, Brandon.Ragland@tn.gov, or Mike Jolley at Mike.Jolley@tn.gov.
* Tellico Plains: Tellico River Kids Fishing Day for kids 12 and younger, 6-9 a.m., Tellico River next to Tellico Trout Hatchery, 3193 River Road. Contact: Rusty Humber, 423-253-8410, jhumbert@fs.fed.us.
* Tracy City: Grundy Lakes Free Fishing Day for ages 1-15, 7-10:30 a.m. CDT, Grundy Lakes State Park. Contact: Brandon Sevlog, 615-342-9305, Brandon.w.sevlog@tn.gov.
In Georgia, the Department of Natural Resources website lists one kids fishing event in the region, scheduled the following Saturday, June 18.
* Cave Spring: Coosa Valley Trout Unlimited Kids Fishing Day for kids under 16, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Rolater Park in Cave Spring. Contact: City Hall, 706-777-3382.
Alabama anglers can visit www.outdooralabama.com/where-fish-alabama to find a fishing spot nearest them.