DNR photo A young angler takes a bluegill he caught off his hook at the DNR’s Pocket Park at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

ESCANABA — This weekend is Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan. Everyone will be able to fishing without a license Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, in an effort to promote the activity of fishing. Locally, special events will be held in conjunction like the Kids Fishing Day at the Pocket Park in the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

THis weekend also marks Free ORV Weekend. People can legally ride 4,000 miles of state-designated routes and trails and the state’s six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. The requirement to have a Recreation Passport to enter state parks and other state recreation areas and access sites is also waived this weekend.

Locally, the Kids Fishing Day team will celebrate the 31st anniversary of the annual Kids Fishing Day this year.

The day for fun, fishing and families is Saturday, June 8, at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park, located on the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

Registration for Kids Fishing Day will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. and the event will run until 3 p.m. All activities are free of charge and open to youth 16 and younger.

“We are excited to again hold our fishing event at the Pocket Park,” said Gary Olson, longtime Kids Fishing Day team member and organizer. “It offers plenty of space for most all the traditional fun favorites at Kids Fishing Day events, plus some new activities. The Pocket Park offers a beautiful nature-like setting right in the middle of Escanaba.”

Popular returning activities include bluegill fishing, minnow races and face painting, along with free food and raffle prizes.

Greg Karch, certified angler instructor and founder of the nonprofit organization Learn 2 Fish with Us, returns to the event this year to teach kids how to cast a fishing line and tie fishing knots.

Karch’s organization has educated more than 50,000 anglers in Wisconsin since 2006 and has hosted nearly 300 fishing workshops, including Kids Fishing Day at Camp 7 Lake Campground in the Hiawatha National Forest where he offered Backyard Bass for youngsters.

In addition, Hiawatha National Forest staff will escort Smokey Bear around the grounds, teaching visitors about wildfire prevention, and the DNR will have an animal furs display (where youth can touch and learn about various animal coats), a scavenger hunt and opportunities for kids to learn how to safely shoot at the Pocket Park’s archery and pellet gun ranges.

This year’s Kids Fishing Day event will be held in conjunction with the DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend. Camping is available on the fairgrounds; contact the Delta County Chamber of Commerce for details.

The DNR Pocket Park is located nearest Gate No. 1 at the fairgrounds, which can be accessed from 12th Avenue North.

Partners this year include the Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen, Inc., the DNR and the Hiawatha National Forest.

The Kids Fishing Day team extends a special thank you to all the volunteers, as this event would not be possible without them.