Numerous updates pertaining to ATV and UTV operation will take effect Monday in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Next weekend is the annual Free Fun Weekend in Wisconsin, which means state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for both residents and nonresidents.

Michigan’s Three Free Weekend — where residents and nonresidents can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks and boating access sites free of charge — will follow June 13 and 14.

Before heading to a Wisconsin state park, trail or waterbody on June 6 or 7, here are a few helpful things to know.

State parks:

— Vehicle admission passes will not be required.

— Most state parks and trails will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

— Programs and events are posted on the DNR Events calendar at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/events.

— National Trails Day falls on Saturday, June 6, during Free Fun Weekend.

Trails:

— Trail passes will not be required for both residents and nonresidents.

— All linear/rail trails, including ATV and horseback riding trails, will be open to the public.

— ATVs, UTVs and OHMs are exempt from registration requirements. Resident and nonresident all-terrain vehicle operators do not need a trail pass to ride state ATV trails.

Fishing:

— Residents and nonresidents will not be required to have a fishing license or trout/salmon stamps.

— All 2026-2027 fishing regulations apply, including bag and length limits and species restrictions.

Invasive species

— Remove all attached aquatic plants, animals and mud from all recreational equipment and gear after every use.

— Drain all water from boats, vehicles, and equipment.

— Never move plants or live fish away from any waterbody.

— Stay on designated trails, roads and other developed areas to avoid tracking invasives to new areas.

— Follow Wisconsin’s firewood rules to avoid moving harmful invasive pests and pathogens.

Safety:

— Always wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboard.

— Use boat lights after sunset.

— Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during an ATV ride or while operating a boat.

— Wear a helmet and protective clothing such as eye protection, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while riding an ATV.

— All children under the age of 18 must have a minimum Department of Transportation standard motorcycle or ATV helmet. Bicycle helmets are not legal.

— Keep your speed in mind as weather and terrain conditions vary or change.

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Recent Wisconsin law changes will take effect Monday pertaining to ATV and UTV regulations.

Updates include:

— Operators and passengers are all required to wear a seatbelt in a UTV.

— Intentionally causing damage with an ATV or UTV can cost you more than a fine – up to three times the cost to repair the damage.

— TV or UTV operators may not tow objects bearing any person on a trail or route. Towing persons on ice is limited to 10 mph.

— UTVs now have window tint restrictions.

Learn more about riding safely in Wisconsin and sign up for a safety course on the Department of Natural Resources’ website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/atv.

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The deadline for elk and bear license applications in Michigan is Monday. Applications can be done online at https://www.mdnr-elicense.com/, the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by visiting any license retailer.

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The Michigan DNR reported this Upper Peninsula fishing activity:

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported good walleye fishing. Those trolling used crank baits or crawler harnesses. Some anglers fished in or near the river mouths cast in the shallows. Some anglers ventured south of Escanaba and reported doing well on shallow flats in the mornings and evenings. Yellow perch fishing near the narrows was good. Perch were caught using perch rigs with minnows or worms.

Manistique: Steelhead fishing was slow. Some anglers used fly rods with beads or nymphs, while others drifted beads under a float. Walleye anglers reported slow fishing.

Marquette: Brown trout continued to be consistent with both boat anglers and river anglers in the Chocolay River. In the lower harbor, the coho salmon bite remained hit or miss, but there were a good number of Chinook salmon caught all over Marquette and out towards Shot Point.

Au Train: Coho salmon and brown trout fishing was slow in Au Train Bay, but there were several Chinook salmon caught again in Au Train by Scott Falls and up towards the tip of 5 Mile Point this week in around 40 feet of water. Anglers targeted lake trout by jigging, with moderate success.

Keweenaw Bay: Anglers reported fair to good numbers of coho salmon were caught when trolling stick baits, spoons, and flasher-fly combinations in the upper portion of the water column. Anglers caught the occasional rainbow trout while trolling as well. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported a fair bite.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers trolling nearshore and near structure reported fair numbers of lake trout and coho salmon using stick baits and spoons. Anglers also reported the occasional brown trout or steelhead. Anglers targeting lake trout reported a good bite while jigging natural and artificial baits.

Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river were high as anglers hit the water over the holiday weekend. Walleye were reported in fair numbers. Boat anglers found the most success when trolling. Shore anglers reported catches of walleye and white suckers.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling effort from these ports was strong. Anglers reported catches of coho salmon, Chinook salmon, brown trout, and lake trout. Trolling in shallow waters continued to produce the best yields for boat anglers. Shore anglers fishing from these ports reported catches of coho salmon and brown trout in low numbers.

Black River Harbor: Angling efforts from the harbor increased over the weekend. Boat anglers reported mixed catches of coho salmon, brown trout, Chinook salmon, and lake trout in varying numbers. Shore anglers within the harbor and fishing from the break walls have reported catches of coho salmon and brown trout in low numbers.

St. Ignace: In the Carp and Pine Rivers, anglers targeting walleye from shore floated jigs and leeches, while boat anglers trolled night crawler harnesses.