Nearly every state offers some kind of free fishing day, where licenses are not required to fish. These days give folks who otherwise might not be able to afford licenses or are just dipping their toes into fishing to give it a try. Many of these dates coincide with the summer months, making them a great way for traveling anglers to dip their toes into a state’s waters without having to invest in a non-resident license. Check out the list below to find the dates for all 50 states’ Free Fishing Days!
From TakeMeFishing.org:
Alabama:
Second Saturday in June – June 12th
Alaska:
Youth anglers (under age 15) and seniors (61+) fish for free year-round.
Arizona:
First Saturday in June – June 5th
Arkansas:
Second Full weekend in June – June 11-13th
California:
First Saturday in July – July 3th
September 4th
Colorado:
First weekend of June – June 5-6th
Connecticut:
Free Fishing Day – May 8th,
Free 1-day licenses – June 20th, August 14th
District of Columbia:
May 31 – June 6
Delaware:
First weekend of June – June 5-6th
Florida:
First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April (freshwater) – April 3-4.
Second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June (freshwater) – June 12-13.
First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June (saltwater) – June 5-6.
First Saturday in September (saltwater) – Sept 4th.
Saturday following Thanksgiving (saltwater) – Nov 27th.
Georgia:
June 5th
June 12th
National Hunting and Fishing Day – September 2
Hawaii:
Year-round (Saltwater)
Idaho:
Second Saturday every June – June 12th.
Illinois:
Father’s Day weekend in June – June 18-21st
Indiana:
First Sunday in May – May 2nd
First weekend in June – June 5-6
National Hunting and Fishing Day – Sept 25th
Iowa:
First Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that land in June – June 4-6th.
Kansas:
First weekend in June – June 5-6th.
Kentucky:
First full weekend in June – June 5-6th.
Louisiana:
Second Saturday and Sunday in June – June 12-13th.
Maine:
Presidents Day Weekend – Feb 13-14th
First Weekend in June – June 5-6th
Maryland:
First two Saturdays in June – June 5th and 12th.
4th of July.
Massachusetts:
First Saturday & Sunday in June (Freshwater) – June 5-6th
Fathers Day weekend June (Saltwater) – June 19-20th
Michigan:
Feb 13-14th
June 12-13th
Minnesota:
Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (MN resident moms fish free) – May 8-9th
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (MN residents 16+ fish free with kids under 16) – June 11-13th
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend (MN residents 16+ fish free with kids under 16) – Jan. 15-17th, 2022.
Missouri:
Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in – June 12-13.
Montana:
Father’s Day weekend – June 19-20th.
Nebraska:
Free Fishing Day – May 22nd.
Nevada:
Second Saturday in June – Jun 12th.
New Hampshire:
Third Saturday in January – Jan 16th.
First Saturday in June – June 5th.
New Jersey:
June 5th
October 23rd
New Mexico:
First Saturday in June – June 5th
Last Saturday in September – Sept 25th
New York:
February 13-14th
June 26-27th
September 25th
November 11th
North Carolina:
July 4th
North Dakota:
First weekend in June – June 5-6th.
Last weekend in December – Dec 25-26th.
Ohio:
Father’s Day Weekend – June 19-20th.
Oklahoma:
First Weekend in June – June 5-6th.
Oregon:
President’s Day Weekend – Feb 13-14th
First Weekend in June – June 5-6th
Thanksgiving Weekend – Nov 26-27th
Pennsylvania:
Sunday before Memorial Day – May 30th
Independence Day – July 4th
Rhode Island:
First Weekend in May (Freshwater Fishing only) – May 1-2nd.
South Carolina:
Memorial Day – May 31st
Independence Day – July 4th
South Dakota:
May 9th
May 21-23rd
June 20th
Tennessee:
Saturday of the first full week in June – June 12th.
Texas:
First Saturday in June – June 5th.
Utah:
June 12th
Vermont:
Fourth Saturday in January – Jan 30th.
Second Saturday in June – June 12nd.
Virginia:
First full weekend in June – June 4-6th.
Washington State:
First weekend after the first Monday in June – June 5-6th.
June 13th.
West Virginia:
Second Saturday and Sunday in June – June 12-13th.
Wisconsin:
Winter Free Fishing weekend – Third weekend in January – Jan 16-17th.
Summer Free Fishing weekend – First Saturday and Sunday in June – June 5-6th.
Wyoming:
First Saturday in June – June 5th.
