Weekend's weather forecast looks great ~ Making plans? Remember that Saturday and Sunday are "free fishing days" across the region, statewide

Elmira, N.Y., June 27—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) today reminded area residents and families that this Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29, have been designated as “Free Fishing Days” throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and statewide.

O’Mara said that residents and visitors to the state can fish for free, without a fishing license, in any of  the region’s lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

“It’s a great opportunity to introduce a child or anyone else to one of our time-honored pastimes and traditions, and we’re fortunate to offer great fishing throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions,” said O’Mara, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee and an avid fisherman himself.  “Angling offers an outdoor recreational opportunity that can help bring families together, that’s a foundation of our tourism-based economy, and that’s great for the outdoors and environmental conservation.”

New York’s sport fishing industry generates an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity annually and supports nearly 17,000 jobs.

O’Mara supported legislation approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor in 2013 that increased the number of free fishing days in New York State from two to eight.  Additional free fishing dates will be announced this summer.  O’Mara also continues to sponsor legislation (S.3296) in the Senate to incorporate hunting, fishing and outdoor education into high school physical education classes.

The Free Fishing Days program began in 1991. Although a fishing license is not required during the free fishing weekend, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.

Additional information can be found on the state Department of Environmental Conservation website at http://www.dec.ny.gov.