FIND A TACKLE BOX, FISHING'S FREE ON SATURDAY.

Byline: Brett Pauly Angling

Fall for outdoorsmen is ushered in by deer season, waterfowl hunting, rockfishing . . . and, most important, the state's biannual Free Fishing Day.

That day is Saturday, when the usual requirement of possessing a fishing license is waived in an attempt to draw more people into the wonderful world of angling. So, yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as a free lunch - if you actually catch something.

``It allows for the opportunity to learn and enjoy the experience of fishing . . . because it's free. To see how you like the sport before investing more time and money,'' said Elaine Fischer, a fish and wildlife interpreter in the Department of Fish and Game's Long Beach office.

And if the only day of the year you decide to fish is Saturday, it represents a savings of $27.55 on an annual resident sport-fishing license (or $10 for a two-day license).

It's the DFG's version of a get-out-of-jail-free card, except, I'll have you know, that all other fishing rules regarding such things as angling hours, bait restrictions and size and possession limits still apply to any waters where fishing is permitted. So brush up on the DFG's ``Sport Fishing Regulations'' handbook if you're at all in doubt. (Anglers 15 and younger get a year-round reprieve, never needing to have a fishing license.)

Free fishing is the great news. The bad news is that the brakes are being applied to fall's national equivalent of Free Fishing Day. Unfortunately, National Hunting and Fishing Day is being phased out by its organizers. But more on that later; I'm definitely the type of guy who likes the good news before the bad news.

Saturday is designed by the DFG as a way to ensure its future. The notion is that by bringing in new blood, fishing will continue to flourish. Sage wisdom. My applause.

To court prospective anglers, a free catfishing derby is slated Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. at La Mirada Park Lake, 13701 S. Adelfa Ave. in La Mirada.

``You can borrow a loaner rod and reel,'' Fischer said. ``Many people get very interested that way in a sport they've never tried before.''

Trophies will be doled out to youngsters with the heaviest catches. A complimentary pancake breakfast will kick the event off at 7 a.m. Information: [phone]. (See Page 14 for a map and listing of other fishing holes.)

Meanwhile, the second part of the annual equation for this special fourth Saturday of September has traditionally been National Hunting and Fishing Day. Designated in 1972 by then-president Richard Nixon, it was set aside to encourage participation, conservation and safety in outdoor activities.

But the 28th annual festivity has lost its luster. Its sponsor, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, is phasing out National Hunting and Fishing Day in favor of another program called Step Outside. Step Outside invites experienced recreationists to bring uninitiated friends and family members on hunting, shooting and fishing excursions.

``(National Hunting and Fishing Day) is one day of the year and Step Outside is more encompassing,'' explained National Shooting Sports Foundation spokeswoman Colleen Swain.

That might be true, but methinks you can't underestimate that unique day.

In years past, details on such essential matters as what states honor National Hunting and Fishing Day and where events are being staged were provided. Apparently that's a thing of the past. ``We're cutting down, that's basically why,'' Swain said.

It's also a shame, for example, that NHFD's national director, C.D. ``Chris'' Chaffin, chose this particular week to be away from the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Newtown, Conn., headquarters and unavailable for comment.

Swain remains upbeat about NHFD. ``I don't think interest will dwindle,'' she said. ``Those sportsmen's clubs and individuals who promote these things will continue to do them.''

Indeed, several states likely will carry the National Hunting and Fishing Day flame, but when the coach loses interest in the remainder of the season, it's hard to rally the team.

Call the National Shooting Sports Foundation at [phone] to get involved in next year's National Hunting and Fishing Day, if it's still around then.

If you're going

Saturday is Free Fishing Day, with no sport-fishing license required. For ideas of where to go, here are some area lakes and landings:

Lakes

Hansen Dam Lake: Foothill Boulevard and Osborne Street, Lake View Terrace; [phone].

Lake Balboa: 6300 Balboa Blvd., Encino; [phone].

Castaic Lake: 27514 W. Lake Hughes Road, Castaic; [phone].

Lake Piru: 2780 Piru Canyon Road, Piru; [phone].

Pyramid Lake: Pyramid Lake Road, Gorman; [phone].

Elizabeth Lake: Elizabeth Lake Road, Lake Hughes; [phone].

Lake Casitas: 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura; [phone].

Lake Cachuma: Highway 154, Santa Barbara; [phone].

Lincoln Park Lake: 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles; [phone].

Echo Park Lake: 1632 Bellview Ave., Los Angeles; [phone].

Peck Road Park Lake: 5401 N. Peck Road, Arcadia; [phone].

Santa Fe Dam: 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale; [phone].

Legg Lake: 823 Lexington-Gallatin Road, South El Monte; [phone].

Puddingstone Lake: 120 E. Via Verde, San Dimas; [phone].

Silverwood Lake: 14651 Cedar Circle, Hesperia; [phone].

Lake Gregory: Lake Gregory Drive, Crestline; [phone].

Big Bear Lake: Highways 18 and 38, Big Bear Lake; [phone].

Anaheim Lake: Mira Loma Street, Anaheim; [phone].

Santa Ana River Lakes: 4060 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; [phone].

Irvine Lake: 4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado; [phone].

Lake Elsinore: Highways 15 and 74, Lake Elsinore; [phone].

Lake Perris: 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris; [phone].

Lake Skinner: 37701 Warren Road, Winchester; [phone].

For the Department of Fish and Game's trout- and catfish-stocking report, call [phone].

Landings

Marina del Rey Sportfishing: Dock 52, Fiji Way, Marina del Rey; [phone].

Redondo Sportfishing: 233 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach; [phone].

22nd Street Sportfishing: 141 W. 22nd St., San Pedro; [phone].

L.A. Harbor Sportfishing: 1150 Nagoya Way, San Pedro; [phone].

Fish 4 Less Sportfishing: Berth 78, Ports O' Call Village, San Pedro; [phone].

Belmont Pier Sportfishing: Ocean and Terminal, Long Beach; [phone].

Long Beach Sportfishing: 555 Pico Ave., Long Beach; [phone].

Marina Sportfishing: 180 Marina Drive, Long Beach; [phone].

Pierpoint Landing: 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach; [phone].

Big Fish Sportfishing: Seal Beach Pier, Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway (1), Seal Beach, [phone].

Port Hueneme Sportfishing: 105 E. Port Hueneme Road, Port Hueneme; [phone].

Cisco's Sportfishing: 4151 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard; [phone].

Capt. Hook's Sportfishing: 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard; [phone].

Harbor Village Sportfishing: 1591 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura; [phone].

Sea Landing: 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara; [phone].

Hornet Sportfishing: 125 Harbor Way, Suite 4, Santa Barbara; [phone].

Davey's Locker: 400 Main St., Balboa, [phone].

Newport Landing: 309 Palm Ave., Balboa, [phone].

Dana Wharf Sportfishing: 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point, [phone].

CAPTION(S):

box, map

BOX: If you're going (see text)

MAP: Southern California Freshwater and saltwater fishing locales