Free fishing days are a perfect opportunity for beginners to try out fishing for the first time. If you already have a fishing license, consider taking a friend or family member who has never been fishing, out on the water for the day.
Find out what you need to get out on the water. Learn how to fish, find places to fish and boat using our interactive map, get a fishing license or register your boat.
Find out what you need to get out on the water. Learn how to fish, find places to fish and boat using our interactive map, get a fishing license or register your boat.
STATE'S FREE FISHING DAYS 2019
Please note that the individual states may place certain restrictions and other regulations may apply, so be sure to contact your state fish and wildlife agency for specific state regulations.
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Alabama
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Second Saturday in June. June 8.
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Arkansas
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Second full weekend in June. Free Fishing Weekend begins at noon on June 7 and ends at midnight on June 9.
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Arizona
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First Saturday in June. June 1.
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California
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First Saturday in July. Saturday, July 6 and Saturday, August 31
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Colorado
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First full weekend of June. June 1-2.
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Connecticut
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May 11. CT offers 2 free fishing license days Sunday June 16 and Saturday Aug 10 (must get the free one day license)
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DC
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First full week of June. From Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 9.
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Delaware
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First full weekend of June. June 1-2.
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Florida
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First weekend in April. April 6-7 (freshwater fishing days)
Second Saturday and Sunday in June (freshwater) First Saturday and Sunday in June (saltwater) First Saturday in September (saltwater) Saturday following Thanksgiving (saltwater) |
Georgia
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June 1, June 8, September 28, 2019
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Hawaii
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365 days a year (marine)
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Iowa
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First Friday, Saturday and Sunday that land in June: June 7-9, 2019.
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Idaho
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Second Saturday every June. June 8.
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Illinois
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Father's Day weekend in June. June 15-16.
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Indiana
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April 20, May 18, and June 1-2.
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Kansas
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First full weekend in June. June 1-2.
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Kentucky
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First full weekend in June. June 1-2.
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Louisiana
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Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9
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Maine
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Free Fishing Weekends in Maine are February 16-17, 2019 and June 1-2, 2019.
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Maryland
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June 1, June 8, and July 4 Independence Day.
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Massachusetts
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First Saturday & Sunday in June (Freshwater). Fathers Day weekend June 15-16 (Saltwater)
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Michigan
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Feb 16-17 and Second weekend in June 8-9.
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Minnesota
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MN Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Jan 19-21, 2019 MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16. Take a Mom Fishing Weekend—May 11-12, 2019 Minnesota resident moms fish free. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend—June 7-9, 2019 Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16. |
Missouri
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Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9.
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Mississippi
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June 1 and 2.
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Montana
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Father's Day weekend. June 15-16.
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North Carolina
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July 4 Independence Day
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North Dakota
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First weekend in June June 1-2. Last weekend in Dec. Dec 28-29 (free ice fishing days)
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Nebraska
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Free Fishing/Free Park Entry day on Saturday, May 18.
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New Hampshire
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Third Saturday in January. Jan 19.
First Saturday in June. June 1. |
New Jersey
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Second Saturday in June 8. October 19.
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New Mexico
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First Saturday in June 1 and the last Saturday in September 28 (National Hungting and Fishing Day)
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New York
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June 29-30, 2019
September 28, 2019 November 11, 2019 February 15-16, 2020 |
Nevada
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Second Saturday in June. June 8.
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Ohio
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First Saturday and Sunday in May. May 4-5.
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Oklahoma
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First Weekend in June. June 1-2.
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Oregon
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Feb. 16-17 (Saturday & Sunday), President’s Day Weekend
June 1-2 (Saturday & Sunday) Aug. 17-18 (Saturday & Sunday) Nov. 29-30 (Friday & Saturday), Thanksgiving Weekend |
Pennsylvania
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May 26, and July 4 Independence Day
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Rhode Island
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First Weekend in May. May 4-5 (Freshwater Fishing only)
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South Carolina
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Memorial Day. May 27.
Independence Day. July 4. |
South Dakota
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Typically the third weekend in May. May 18-19.
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Tennessee
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The first Saturday after the first Monday of the month. June 8.
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Texas
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First Saturday in June. June 1.
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Utah
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Second Saturday in June. June 8.
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Virginia
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Second full weekend in June. June 7, 8 and 9.
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Vermont
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Fourth Saturday in January and Second Saturday in June.
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Washington
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Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9.
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Wisconsin
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Winter Free Fishing weekend - Third weekend in January (Jan 19-20). Summer Free Fishing weekend - First Saturday and Sunday in June (June 1-2).
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West Virginia
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Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9.
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Wyoming
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First Saturday in June. June 1.
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During National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW), all states (and Washington, DC) offer free fishing days. These are days – some states even offer free fishing weekends – where anglers can go fishing without a license on public bodies of water. Free Fishing Days activities vary by state. For free fishing day Texas, the state releases hundreds of catfish to help beginners catch a bite. Free fishing day California is known for the many varieties of fish made available. Check out the Free Fishing Days 2019 activities in your state to see how your state celebrates this fun-for-all-ages event.
NFBW is a national celebration of fishing and boating, an event that highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing our quality of life and preserving our country's natural beauty. This year the event will take place on June 1-9, 2019. Learn more about National Fishing and Boating Week.
CREDIT https://www.takemefishing.org
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