DNR News

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages everyone to take advantage of ?Three Free? Weekend ? Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9. It's two full days when Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations ? all free of charge.

?We?re excited to celebrate ?Three Free? Weekend, a time when everyone gets to enjoy and take part in some of Michigan?s best outdoor recreation opportunities: fishing, off-roading and exploring Michigan?s award-winning state parks,? said DNR Director Scott Bowen. "Whether you're an avid outdoors-person or someone just discovering all that our beautiful state offers, 'Three Free' weekends make it easy to visit a new park, try a new nature experience or spend time with friends and family in a place you love."

These two days include:

• Free Fishing Weekend. Fish for all in-season species, all weekend long, without a license. All other fishing regulations apply. To get more details or find a local event, visit Michigan.gov/FreeFishing.
• Free ORV Weekend. 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. Visit?Michigan.gov/ORVinfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.
• Waiver of the Recreation Passport. To encourage people to pursue free fishing and other outdoor fun, the DNR waives the regular Recreation Passport fee that grants vehicle access to Michigan's 103 state parks, 1,000-plus state-managed boating access sites and many other outdoor spaces. Learn more about Passport benefits at Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.

Free Fishing and Free ORV weekends each take place on back-to-back days twice a year, but the "Three Free" Weekend happens only in June.

For the best outdoor experiences, the DNR urges everyone to put safety first when enjoying Michigan's woods, water and trails.

• Helpful safety tips ? for ORV, boating, beach, fire and other topics ? are available at Michigan.gov/DNREducation in the Safety Information section. Please pay special attention to fire safety at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.?
• Trail users can do their part for invasive species prevention by removing dirt and debris from shoes, gear and vehicles before heading to the next location. Other easy ways to help include committing to Ride Right and following simple trail etiquette.?
• Boaters can help prevent the spread of invasive species by removing mud and debris from all surfaces, draining water from all bilges, wells and tanks, and drying all equipment before transporting boats over land.
• The DNR also encourages anglers to review fishing safety tips and other helpful information at Michigan.gov/HowToFish.

Additionally, the DNR encourages everyone to #RecreateResponsibly. Before you head out on the trails or water, visit our Recreate Responsibly webpage to learn more about how you can stay safe and protect the health and beauty of our great state.