With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 36,000 miles of rivers and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing go hand in hand.

Michigan’s annual Summer Free Fishing Weekend offers an outstanding opportunity for southwest Michigan families and out-of-state visitors alike to get together and enjoy some of the world’s best fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters — at no charge.

This year’s weekend is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11.

Since 1986, Michigan has celebrated the free weekend as a way to promote awareness of the state’s vast aquatic resources and to give families a great chance to pass along the joy of fishing to the next generation.

Anglers do not need a license for the annual event. All fishing license fees will be waived during the weekend, although all fishing regulations still apply.

To encourage involvement in the free fishing weekend, organized activities are being scheduled in communities across the state. These activities are coordinated by a variety of organizations, including local and state parks, constituent groups, schools, businesses and others.

I encourage all area anglers — and those who have never gone fishing — to get out and take part in one of our state’s premier outdoor activities during the free weekend.

For more information on the Summer Free Fishing Weekend, including a list of activities across the state, visit michigan.gov/freefishing.

The free fishing weekend concludes Michigan Boating Week, an annual celebration of boating activities found throughout the state. The weeklong event offers many opportunities to start boating, get back onboard or learn some new skills to use on the water.

A list of events taking place during the week is available at michigan.gov/boating.

Both the free fishing weekend and boating week offer opportunities for residents to have fun and relax in Michigan’s great outdoors.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents southwest Michigan.