To kick off the month of June here in the Garden State, there are several events during the first weekend of the month with kids and families at the fishing forefront.
For starters, Saturday, June 1 is a free fishing day when no freshwater license is required to fish the lakes, streams, ponds and reservoirs in New Jersey. Since 2015, the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife has been offering two of these free fishing days every year in an effort to introduce new anglers and bring back some of the old ones.
The June Free Fishing Day is held in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week and allows residents to fish public waters without a license or trout stamp. All other regulations, including size and daily catch limits, remain in effect. Though youngsters under the age of 16 don’t need a license to fish, this first day of June provides a special benefit to adults who can join in the fun without having to purchase a license. For details go to njfishandwildlife.com.
In the Tuckerton, Great Bay area, the 5th Annual Raging Raymond Fluke tournament will be held on June 1 and 2, with the Captains meeting on May 31 at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 493, 420 Radio Road in Little Egg Harbor. Entry fee is $100 per boat (four anglers), fish sunrise Saturday through Sunday at 1 p.m.
Inspired by the Gaudlap family’s son Raymond who was diagnosed with a rare, newly discovered genetic condition in June of 2020, the Raging Raymond Fluke Tournament helps raised money for Nemours Children’s Health Deptford and Cherry Hill. For more information call 609-845-7653.
And finally on the first Sunday of the month, June 2, the crew from Chestnut Neck Boat Yard in Port Republic will host the annual Nuncio Bruno Kids Bluefish Tournament for kids 16 and under. The tournament is held each year in honor of Nuncio Bruno, who together with wife Ann purchased the Chestnut Neck marina and boatyard in 1976. Today, the Bruno’s daughters Violet and Mary Ann still operate that same business along the Mullica River.
The Nuncio Bruno Kids Bluefish Tournament is presented by the Absecon Saltwater Sportsmen club and runs from 7 a.m. until noon with weigh-in until 1 p.m. It’s followed by awards ceremony and barbecue. For details stop by Chestnut Neck Boat Yard at 758 Old New York Road in Port Republic, just off the the Garden State Parkway. For details call 609-652-1119.
