Saturday, June 4 marks the beginning of the 2016 National Fishing and Boating week. This week, coming to a close on Saturday, June 12, will celebrate the fun of water recreation and encourage everyone to grab his or her fishing pole, hop on a boat and hit the water! These activities are not only fun, but the money collected from the boating registrations and fishing licenses that seem like a nuisance, are actually necessary for helping maintain and conserve our natural waterways.
One advantage to getting out on the water this week is that most states, including Florida, will be holding “free fishing days.” On these days, public bodies of water will be open to unlicensed fishermen.
June 4 and 5 mark the salt water “free fishing days,” and June 11 and 12 mark the fresh water “free fishing days.”
If you are looking to get out on the water this week, there are several perfect fishing holes in Madison and its surrounding counties. Lake Rachel, located West of Madison, is known best for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill fishing. Cherry Lake, located north of Madison in Pinetta, is an excellent spot for boating, water sports and Largemouth Bass and Bluegill fishing. East of Madison, the Withlacoochee River has several ramps for boats large and small and is a perfect location for kayaking and canoeing. For other local bodies of water and boat ramps, go to www.takemefishing.org/where-to-fish-and-boat/.