The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is giving people a good reason to fish together this weekend as it promotes Family Fishing Days.

Today and Sunday, people are allowed to fish for free on waterways throughout the state. The opportunity is open to any person except those whose license has been revoked or suspended. All other fishing regulations apply.

“We 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 DIF&W Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin in a news release. “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.”

Each year thousands of residents and nonresidents fish on the state’s nearly 6,000 lakes and ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams.

This weekend’s event is one of two free fishing weekends that is held in the state. The other falls on the Saturday and Sunday preceding Presidents Day in February.

For a complete list of regulations, go to www.maine.gov/ifw and click on the “fishing” link.

Youth fishing event set for Union

A youth fishing event will be held at Ayer Park in Union on June 7 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The fishing day will be the seventh event organized by the Mike Sabins Memorial Youth Fish and Game organization.

Fishing will take place on Seven Tree Pond, which was chosen because it is easy to find and is well-suited to a children’s event. The event is sanctioned by the Hooked on Fishing program. No pre-registration is required.

Fishing equipment and bait will be provided, as will refreshments. Children are encouraged to attend the event with an adult.

In response to the death of their son, Mike, Scot and Mary Sabins decided to organize a group that focused on teaching Maine school children about their outdoor heritage. Mike Sabins was an avid hunter and fisherman.

For more information, or to volunteer to help at the event, call Scot or Mary at 785-4076.

Canoe races set June 7, 21

Some upcoming canoe races on the schedule include the third annual Kiwanis Sebec River Race on June 7 and the Union River Salmon Run on June 21.

The Sebec River Race begins at 10 a.m. from Sebec Village and finishes in Milo. Registration is from 8-10 a.m. and costs $10. Contact: Joe Zamboni, 943-2271.

The Union River Salmon Run also begins at 10 a.m., preceded by registration at 9 a.m. Its entry fee is $15. Contact: Tammy Kelley, 667-3947.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329.