Mark your calendar for National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW)- a national celebration of fishing and boating coordinated by RBFF. Coinciding with most state's free fishing days (PDF), NFBW occurs each year during the first full week of June.  Wondering how you should celebrate?

Thousands of sites all over the country will host events to promote fishing and boating. Search for events or contact your state DNR or parks department to find events near you.

All across America people are planning time on the water to celebrate National Fishing & Boating Week. This celebration always promises to be the biggest ever with events planned from coast to coast, including fishing derbies, regattas, educational events, boating demonstrations, festivals and scores of other aquatic activities.

10 Ways to Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week

Here's a list from BoatU.S. of ten ways to celebrate the week and inspire families and friends to head out for some fun fishing and safe boating:

  1. Get "Hooked" Online: Need a little help finding fish? Do you want to attend a nearby tournament or go charter fishing? Localized fishing reports, charter and tournament information.
  2. Take a friend who has never been boating out for the afternoon: After you get back to the dock, send your friends to DiscoverBoating.com or DiscoverSailing.com where they can get a free DVD to get them started in powerboating or sailing. You can also find a "Spousal Conversion Kit" at DiscoverBoating.com that offers a step-by-step, seven-day plan with video testimonials that could help convince your husband or wife that boating is for your family.
  3. Go fishing for free: In honor of this special week, many states offer one or more days where you won't need a license to go fishing. Free Fishing Days (PDF)
  4. Brush up on your fishing skills: From learning about fishing tactics, equipment and safety, to advice and stories from pro anglers, BoatUSAngler.com has all the right info to keep beginners or experienced anglers at their peak. Click on "Angler How-To's."
  5. Go window shopping: Dream big and sign up for your free online copy of weekly boat classifieds. There are four separate weekly Classified Ad E-Newsletters, each for powerboats, trailerable boats, fishing boats and sailboats.
  6. Take the "Anglers' Legacy" Pledge: The Pledge is all about ensuring the growth of recreational fishing and boating. Take the Pledge today!
  7. Make a fishing trip memorable for a child: Take a photo of your child's catch and send it to the BoatU.S. Angler Catch of the Month Photo Contest. Photos will be displayed on the association's Web site, BoatUSAngler.com, and will also be entered into a monthly prize drawing.
  8. Borrow a kid's life jacket for free: If you're not used to having kids aboard you may not have the right size life jacket. But the BoatU.S. Foundation's free Kids Life Jacket Loaner program offers free child and youth life jackets for the day, afternoon or weekend at over 350 waterfront sites across the US.
  9. Teach your kids about catch and release fishing and how to measure a fish: Show your kids how to safely return fish to the water and grow healthy fishing stocks by practicing catch and release.
  10. Attend one of hundreds of fishing, boating or aquatic stewardship events: Many events happen throughout the year and provide opportunities for families and friends to share quality time together while learning about two of our nation's favorite pastimes - recreational boating and fishing. Search for events.

Source: BoatU.S.