MADISON, Wis. — The state Department of Natural Resources will offer its third annual free fishing winter weekend later this month.

Anglers can fish without a license or Great Lakes salmon stamp on all Wisconsin waters on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18. The agency also will loan equipment out at 19 sites around the state, including eight state parks. Locations and contact information are available on the DNR's website.

DNR fisheries experts are reporting strong activity in the northern part of the state. Inconsistent ice conditions are slowing things down in the south, however.