Augusta – Want to try your hand at fishing to see if you’ll like it? Want to get your kids on the water or at the rivers and streams to experience the joy of hooking a fish?

This weekend is the time to do it as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife promotes Family Fishing Days.

On Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, people can fish for free on waterways throughout the state of Maine. This free fishing opportunity is open to any person except those whose license has been revoked or suspended. All other fishing regulations apply.

“We all remember the first time we caught a fish, and the fun we had going out as a child with a family member on a spring or summer day to see if the fish were biting,” said Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin. “Family Fishing Days provides adults a chance to give children the same enjoyment they had as a youngster, and for free. If they find they love it, we hope that children and adults will be encouraged to buy a fishing license and spend more time on Maine’s waterways throughout the year.”

Fishing is one of the most popular activities in Maine, drawing thousands upon thousands of residents and out-of-state visitors to the state’s nearly 6,000 lakes and ponds and almost 32,000 miles of rivers and streams.

Because of this sport’s popularity, the Maine Office of Tourism, along with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Marine Resources, is promoting fishing on its Web site, www.visitmaine.com.

“Maine is blessed with a wide diversity of fishing opportunities, including some of the best trout fishing in the country,” said John Boland, Director of Fisheries at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “Whether you’re interested in fishing for trout, bass or panfish, there’s no better time than now to experience what Maine has to offer.”

This weekend is the second of two free fishing weekends offered this year. Every year in February another free fishing weekend occurs the Saturday and Sunday preceding Presidents Day.

Want to continue the fishing experience throughout the year? Fishing licenses are available for purchase on IF&W’s Web site, www.maine.gov/ifw using the MOSES online licensing system, at any of the more than 250 MOSES licensing agents statewide, or at town offices and other locations.

For a complete list of fishing regulations, including limits and sizes, visit www.maine.gov/ifw and click on “fishing.”