Deals mean outdoor fun at lower cost

Here are two ways to save money while exploring Arizona’s outdoors next weekend.

Fishing

Learn to fish for free in several places Saturday, June 8. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will sponsor clinics with loaner rods, bait and instruction. It’s part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which ends June 9. Here’s where to wet a line.

Mormon Lake Lodge: The lodge’s free Outdoor Festival is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be 60 exhibitors, including government agencies and sporting, conservation and recreation groups. The Northern Arizona Flycasters will offer instruction in casting and fly-tying. Kids also can try their hand at archery and see wildlife up close. The lodge is about 30 miles southeast of Flagstaff off Lake Mary Road.

Details: 928-354-2227, www.mormonlake lodge.com.

Goldwater Lake: Loaner gear and bait will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Game and Fish staff will be on hand to provide advice. Goldwater Lake is popular with canoeists and kayakers, and facilities include a volleyball net, horseshoes pit, playground, picnic tables and large ramada. The North Shore (0.26 mile) and Bannon Creek trails (0.6 mile) are easy walks. The lake is high in the pines and has lots of shade. It’s about 4 miles south of Prescott on Senator Highway. Details: 928-692-7700. Lake Pleasant: Those who attend Adventure Day at Lake Pleasant Regional Park can sample scuba diving, boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and more activities in addition to fishing. Loaner rods and reels plus a limited supply of bait will be available from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The $6-per-vehicle park admission fee applies. Use the main entrance, at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road in Morristown, then follow the Adventure Day signs to the 10-lane boat ramp.

Details: 602-372-7460, www.maricopa.gov/ parks/lake_pleasant.

Fishing is always free in Arizona for kids younger than 14, so the free day means teens and adults can try it without buying a license. Bag limits and other regulations are still in effect, and tribal permits are required to fish on reservation water.

Hiking

Need a reason to go to Sedona? The Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest is waiving day-use fees June 8 to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day.

You won’t need a $5 Red Rock Pass at Palatki, Honanki and V Bar V cultural sites, nor at dozens of trailheads.

Fees will still be charged at campgrounds and recreation areas managed by concessionaires, including Call of the Canyon, Grasshopper Point and Crescent Moon Ranch.

Details: 928-203-2900, www.redrockcountry .org.