Mark your calendar for National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW) June 6 – 14, 2009 - a national celebration of fishing and boating. Coinciding with most state's free fishing days, NFBW occurs each year during the first full week of June.

Wondering how you should celebrate?

• Take a Staycation: Search from more than 12,000 places to boat and fish for something that’s in your neck of the woods. Thousands of sites all over the country will host events during NFBW. Look for fishing derbies, regattas, educational events, boating demonstrations and festivals.
• Take Advantage of FREE FISHING DAYS: Most states offer free fishing days during NFBW. For a list of dates, select your state below.
  
  Choose State Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
  
  *Please note some states do not offer free fishing days or the dates may not yet be public. Check back for updates.

• “Fish” for a Brand New Boat: Visit TakeMeFishing.org beginning June 4, 2009 at 12 p.m. CT and play “Catch A Boat” – The Ultimate Online Fishing Tournament. Be part of this first-of-its-kind competition that anyone (over 18) can enter, and anyone (over 18) can win. Every day you fish will increase your chances of winning a brand new Triumph boat, Evinrude motor and EZ Loader trailer. And your first cast of each day could land you one of the great daily prizes. Don’t miss out!
• Protect & Preserve our Nation's Waterways: Buy your fishing license and help pay for fishery and hatchery management, habitat development and protection, endangered species programs, fishing and conservation education. Register your boat and help sustain resources that promote safe and responsible use of our nation’s waters.
• Help Combat ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’: Introduce your kids to boating and fishing in our Little Lunkers section, and then take them out on the water. Be sure to post a picture of their prize catch in the Kids Fishing Hall of Fame.
• Get into Boating: Use our Boat Explorer tool to find the right boat for you and get your free “Get Started in Boating” DVD from Discover Boating.
• Take the Anglers’ Legacy Pledge: Make a promise to introduce someone new to boating and fishing, passing on the legacy of the sport.