This upcoming weekend, you get to skip a step before you hit the lake or the river – you won’t have to buy a fishing license to drag your dinner out of the water!  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced that June 9-10 is “Free Fishing Weekend."

Basically, this means everyone ages 16 and over can get out and experience freshwater or saltwater fishing without the purchase of a recreational license.

The program is part of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) efforts to attract more participants into the ranks of licensed fishermen. Fishing license fees support LDWF's conservation efforts including habitat management.

"No fishing license will be required for residents or non-residents on the weekend of June 9-10," said John Sturgis, LDWF education manager. "If you fish regularly, use this opportunity to bring someone along who may not.”

--Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries press release

Actually, it’s free fishing week, so you haven’t needed a license all week long, but if you needed a good excuse to rid the world of some "evil trout" and be a hero, this weekend is as good as any.

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