87-2-808. Fishing license exception for angler educational events and activities. (1) A participant in any angler educational event or activity approved by the department may fish without the otherwise required fishing license while participating on the specified body of water during the event.

(2) To be eligible during the 2-year period following April 16, 1997, an angler educational event or activity must be taught under the guidance of an employee of the department or by an instructor certified by the department as competent to instruct in the laws, techniques, and ethics of angling. At the end of the 2-year period, angler educational events and activities should be conducted as provided in subsection (4).

(3) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.

(4) The department shall develop a statewide network of volunteers to conduct the angler educational events and activities for which fishing license exceptions are provided. Within 2 years of April 16, 1997, as many angler educational events and activities as possible approved pursuant to this section should be conducted by the volunteer instructors certified as provided in subsection (2).