Having spent lots of time on the bay of Green Bay as a state fishing guide, Lynn Niklasch notices the extra traffic that comes with the first weekend in June.

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That's because those two days — June 3 and 4 this year — have become the unofficial designation for Free Fishing Weekend throughout Wisconsin; or rather, the chance for residents and nonresidents of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and fish without a license. While all other regulations (length limits, bag limits) still apply, the word "free" gives casual fishermen and their families a convenient excuse to rub elbows with Niklasch and other die-hard sportsmen.

"In some places, it's almost as hectic as opening day," said Niklasch, a guide based out of Oconomowoc. "I usually see a lot of guys who are planning trips with clubs or churches that do some sort of fishing each year. A lot of people don't fish simply because it's not worth it to get the license if they aren't going to be outside all the time. But for that weekend, it's quite popular.

"You might have a dad who doesn't want to spend his whole time fishing because he's not the outdoorsman type. But now it doesn't cost anything to take your kid to the park, pond or local river for something simple."

Dennis Schenborn of the state Bureau of Fisheries said the weekend is usually sequenced with promotions for National Free Fishing and Boating Week to help spread greater awareness about both pastimes. Staying on shore or taking the boat out is a simple joy, one that Schenborn hopes families will take advantage of.

"We try to make it as easy as possible that weekend," he said. "For obvious reasons, we intentionally avoid opening weekend, Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Now we just have to cross our fingers and hope the weather cooperates."

All you have to do is call up any of several Wisconsin fishing Web sites to see what kind of action the state is known for. The state department of tourism at TravelWisconsin.com has a full Spring Fishing preview broken down by region, while the Wisconsin DNR Web site recommends any number of family locales: Cecil Depeau Bay Shore Park, Lily Lake and Voyageur Park in Brown County, Olde Quarry, Sawyer and Sunset parks in Door County, Heidman and West Alaska lakes in Kewaunee County, and Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac. (Sheboygan Falls usually holds a free fishing activity day in River Park Lagoon, but that event will not be held this year.)

Based on his own observation, Niklasch said there's always good activity in the Fox River because of walleye and catfish. Other close-to-home spots are the Wolf River system, the Winneconne Bridge in Winnebago County and near the ship canal in Sturgeon Bay.

For the past 58 years, Nan & Jerry's Bait & Tackle has served fishermen visiting Fish Creek.

With its ideal combination of camping, fishing and scenic beauty, Nan's owner Suzie Daubner said the free weekend is a great opportunity to see what Wisconsin outdoor treasures like Door County have to offer.

"Especially if you can take a child out so they can maybe try fishing for the first time," she said. "I know some fishermen are really serious and have to get fish otherwise they get mad. But I think most folks can use the weekend to sit out and not care about that. They can use it as a way to get out from everyday pressures."

It's an important point that Niklasch also stressed. No matter where you go as a novice fisherman, don't be intimidated by what you don't know or what you don't catch. That's not what the free weekend is intended for.

"Fishing is more than coming back with something. As someone who does this all the time, I've never thought it was about that," he said. "The key is just to get out. For folks who don't have a boat or don't know all the technical stuff, sometimes it's nice just to be outdoors and experience something different."