Catch the State Fish and Boat Commission's Fish-for-Free Day on Monday

It might sound like a fishy story, but it’s true.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will sponsor a Fish-for-Free Day on Memorial Day in all of the state’s waterways and a special event in the Pittsburgh area. Fish-for-Free Day allows anyone to legally fish without a license, though state fishing regulations apply.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, there will be a special Fish-for-Free event at the Braddock Public Ramp along the Monongahela River at the end of 11th Street in Braddock. Rods and bait will be provided to participants. The fish commission’s outreach and education staff will offer fishing tips, exhibits and free publications at the site.

“We even have staff available to teach you to tie knots,” said Denny Tubbs, regional outreach and education coordinator for the fish and boat commission.

The Braddock ramp is along what is known as the Emsworth Pool, which includes the waters held back from the Emsworth Dam along the Ohio River to the Braddock Dam on the Monongahela and the Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 2 near Highland Park.

“There are some very large smallmouth bass below the [Braddock] dam,” Tubbs said, noting that some 4.5-pound bass have been caught there.

If that’s not enough incentive to go fishing, anglers will have a chance to catch a prize-winning fish in conjunction with Cabela’s national “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions” contest. As part of the contest, fish were tagged in eight waters across the state, including the Emsworth Pool.

Each tag carries a prize. In the local waters, the tagged fish are smallmouth bass. The Cabela’s contest runs through July 14. Anglers can register at www.fishandboat.com/fishformillions.htm for a chance at landing the $2.2 million prize.

Fish-for-Free events also will be held at Perry Monument at Presque Isle Bay, Erie County; Seven Points Marina at Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County; and three other sites in central and eastern Pennsylvania. A second Fish-for-Free Day is scheduled for Labor Day, Sept. 5.

More information about Fish-for-Free Days is available on the commission’s website, www./fishandboat.com/fishforfree.htm.