Free fishing weekend in Ohio coming up in the first weekend of May

More anglers are heading to Ohio’s lakes and rivers as the weather gets warmer. The Buckeye State is known for its world-class fishing, and on May 6-7, state residents are invited to take part in the annual free fishing weekend, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Ohio’s Free Fishing Days are open to all Ohio residents and extend to all of Ohio’s public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. This is the only weekend all year that does not require anyone 16-years-old or older to obtain a fishing license. The sales of fishing licenses, along with the Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) program, continue to fund the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s fish management operations. No state tax dollars are used for these activities. These are user-pay, user-benefit programs.