Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
With so much to do and see over the weekend in the Keweenaw, many took to the trails, lakes and parks without the requirement of a license.
The Department of Natural Resources concluded its “Free Three Weekend” which included ORV trails and state park entry and fishing.
Free fishing weekends are not a new concept. The DNR has been offering them since 1986, but this year was called a “Free Three.”
“What that means is it’s a free fishing weekend, free ORV weekend, and the Recreation Passport fee into Michigan state parks and recreation areas is waived, so you don’t have to buy a fishing license, you don’t have to have an ORV permit or a trail permit. You don’t need to have your Rec Passport. You can participate in any of those types of activities for free, but all other rules and regulations still apply,” said Elyse Walter of the Michigan DNR.
The addition of the two extra features is intended to introduce the state park system to more Michigan residents and visitors alike, as all were welcome.
Walter said, “A couple of years ago, the idea came about that ‘why don’t we create additional opportunities for people to get out doors?’ Maybe they don’t want to go fishing, or maybe they’re going to go to a state park and there’s fishing available, so why not create lots of different opportunities to have fun this weekend. So, we’ve added on the free ORV and the free Rec Passport, and this is the first year that we are really trying to encourage all three at once.”
By offering public outreach programs like the “Free Three” weekend, the agency is able to encourage license and guideline compliance in a positive light.
Walter said, “Whether you have yet to buy your license, or you’re going to go out and see if you want to buy your license, or it’s a great opportunity to take someone out fishing who doesn’t normally go.”
Now that the weekend is over, it’s back to business as usual, requiring anglers above the age of 14 to carry a license, ORV riders are required to have a trail sticker, and a Recreation Passport is required at all state parks. Those can be obtained at local retailers or by going to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
