Fish for Free on the Fourth of July

No fishing license? No problem.

Monday is Free Fishing Day in Maryland, and the state Department of Natural Resources is not requiring a license to fish in state waters.

“Our free-fishing days are an excellent opportunity for anglers and their families to experience the outstanding fishing that Maryland has to offer,” Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a release. “I encourage you to take your family and friends to our abundant streams, lakes, rivers, ponds and bays for some quality time.”

Free-fishing anglers must still adhere to minimum size and creel limits for the 62 species that are managed by the DNR, according to the release.

For fishing regulations and to download a copy of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Guide, visit dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/regindex.asp or any of the seven DNR Service Centers.

Those fishing on Maryland’s free-fishing days do not need to register with the National Saltwater Angler registry. For information on the National Saltwater Angler Registry, go to http://dnr.maryland.gov/swregistry.asp.

The DNR encourages anglers of all ages to share photos of and information about the fish they catch, by reporting through the DNR Angler’s Log—dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/log.

Keep up with the Maryland Fisheries Service by following @MDDNRFISH on Twitter.