Would you like to get near the water and try out a new hobby this weekend?

Iowa residents can go fishing without buying a license June 1st through June 3rd as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources free fishing weekend. According to the Iowa DNR, chances are good for catching bluegills and channel catfish at Lake Darling State Park this weekend. DNR Fisheries Biologist Chad Dolan encourages new and veteran anglers to see what southeast Iowa parks have to offer, “Check out some of the local lakes and even check out some of those that are off the beaten path, like for instance go down to the Shimek State Forest if you’re willing to take a little walk off the beaten path. There’s some excellent ponds within that state forest that don’t see a lot of fishing pressure just because people don’t know they are there. So take an adventure and go see what you can find.”

As Geode State Park and Lacey Keosauqua State Park are both under renovations and not available for fishing this summer, Dolan also recommends Lake Belva Deer, Big Hollow Lake, and Lost Grove Lake for fishing adventures. All other fishing regulations remain in place this weekend.