Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Area residents can fish, ride off-road, and visit state parks for free this weekend.

The MDNR says residents, families, and out-of-state visitors can grab a fishing rod, ride Michigan’s off-road trails and/or visit a state park and other outdoor spaces – all at no cost – during the "Three Free Weekend" this Saturday and Sunday.

During the Free Fishing Weekend, all fishing license fees will be waived for residents and out-of-state visitors fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply.

The summer Free Fishing Weekend is held in conjunction with the DNR's popular "Three Free" weekend.

A Recreation Passport will not be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites, and residents and visitors can legally ride Michigan's 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and six scramble areas without an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply.

MDNR Deputy Public Information Officer John Pepin offered some reminders for people to have a safe, fun weekend.

Pepin told WHMI one of the biggest things in doing the “Three Free Weekend” is to help introduce people to some new outdoor recreation activities, or perhaps activities they maybe haven’t participated in in a long time without having to purchase trail stickers, fishing licenses, or a Recreation Passport.

When it comes to fishing, Pepin said there are all kinds of opportunities across Michigan - which is really kicking into high gear this time of year. He noted if people lookup fishing on the DNR website, there are some suggestions for family-friendly waters – offering places to take kids fishing where they’re likely to catch fish and have a good time.

In the ice storm area in northern Michigan, Pepin advised that people could still run into some trail closures. He said the storms really weren’t that long ago and there’s still a lot of cleanup that has to be done so it’s best to check with DNR offices in areas where people plan to ride before heading out.

Pepin added there could also be some “newbies” out there and reminds everyone to put safety at the forefront when taking part in any recreational activities – perhaps a bit more so for beginners. He advised to “know before you go”, ride within your abilities on off-road trails, don’t drink and drive, and stay on the right side of trails.

Meanwhile in the wake of the March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan, those interested can witness the storm's impact and ongoing recovery efforts through drone footage and photos on the DNR's ice storm response page. It includes an interactive map and dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state-managed trails. That link is provided top.