GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. — Fishing is big business in our state, especially in the Big Bend.
This weekend, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants everyone to head to the fishing waters and they're using everyone's favorite word "free."
This weekend you can go for a big catch without paying the normal license fee.
Keep Florida Fishing offers the license free fishing a couple of times throughout the year and this is the first for 2019.
The group says there are 4 million anglers in the state of Florida and they bring in $12.2 billion, more than 173,000 jobs and contribute $53.3 million to Florida conservation through license fees and special taxes on motor boat fuel and equipment.
In Gadsden, even national tournaments have come to fish in Lake Talquin, bringing in money and exposure for the county.
"It's gorgeous, the location is great, the people are great, there's always somewhere to hide out of the wind," said fisherman Terry Richard.
The freshwater license free fishing is available Saturday and Sunday.
License free weekend will happen again in June.
License free saltwater fishing weekends will be held in June, September, and November.
