Free fishing weekend options in US
License-free fishing days are available in many states across the United States. These are great days to bring kids, a date, or friends on their first fishing trip. Connect with nature, enjoy family and friends, and all without the slight hassle of getting a game license.
You can also use free fishing days to travel to a nearby state where you may not otherwise fish.
Free fishing days are also a great time to become an ambassador of the sport. Encourage others to practice catch-and-release for big game fish and fish not used for cooking. If you’re looking for help on how to choose or fish a hard or soft swimbait, we have a great starting guide. You can also check out episodes like this one of the Bass. Dr. to learn techniques from Jason Lambert.
ALABAMA
- June 9, 2018
ARKANSAS
- June 8-10, 2018
ARIZONA
- June 2, 2018
CALIFORNIA
- July 7, 2018
- September 1, 2018
COLORADO
- June 2-3, 2018
CONNECTICUT
(you must apply for a free one-day license)
- May 12, 2018
- June 12, 2018
- August 11, 2018
DELAWARE
- June 2-3, 2018
FLORIDA
- Saltwater
- June 2 and 3, 2018
- Sept. 1, 2018
- Nov. 24, 2018
- Freshwater
- April 7 and 8, 2018
- June 9 and 10, 2018
GEORGIA
- June 2, 2018
- June 9, 2018
- September 22, 2018
Hawaii – does not require a fishing license
IOWA
- June 1-3, 2018
IDAHO
- June 9, 2018
ILLINOIS
- Father’s Day weekend, June 16-17
- June 16-17, 2018
INDIANA
- April 21, 2018
- May 19, 2018
- June 2-3, 2018
KANSAS
- June 2-3, 2018
KENTUCKY
- June 2-3, 2018
LOUISIANA
- June 9-10, 2018
MAINE
- June 2-3, 2018
MASSACHUSETTS
- June 2-3, 2018 (freshwater)
- Father’s Day weekend, June 16-17 (saltwater)
MICHIGAN
- June 9-10, 2018
MINNESOTA
- May 12-13, 2018 (resident moms only)
- June 8-10, 2018 (residents only)
- January 19-21, 2019 (residents only)
MISSOURI
- June 9 & 10, 2018
MISSISSIPPI
- June 2-3, 2018
- July 4, 2018
MONTANA
- Father’s Day weekend, June 16-17
NORTH CAROLINA
- July 4
NORTH DAKOTA
- June 2-3, 2018
- December 29-30 (free ice fishing day)
NEBRASKA
- May 26, 2018
- July 4, 2018
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- June 2, 2018
NEW JERSEY
- June 9, 2018
- October 20, 2018
NEW MEXICO
- June 9, 2018
NEW YORK
- February 17-18, 2018
- June 23-24, 2018
- September 22, 2018
- November 11, 2018
NEVADA
- June 9, 2018
OHIO
- May 5-6, 2018
OKLAHOMA
- June 2-3, 2018
OREGON
- June 2-3, 2018
- September 1-2, 2018
- November 23-24, 2018
PENNSYLVANIA
- May 27, 2018
- July 4, 2018
RHODE ISLAND
- May 5-6 (freshwater only)
SOUTH CAROLINA
- May 28, 2018
- July 4, 2018
SOUTH DAKOTA
- May 18-20, 2018
TENNESSEE
- June 9, 2018
TEXAS
- June 2, 2018
UTAH
- June 9, 2018
VIRGINIA
- June 1-3, 2018
VERMONT
- June 9, 2018
WASHINGTON
- June 10-11, 2018
WISCONSIN
- June 2-3, 2018
- January 19-20, 2019
WEST VIRGINIA
- June 9-10, 2018
WYOMING
- June 2, 2018
In almost every state all freshwater and saltwater fishing regulations still apply, even on free fishing days. Use public bodies of water, keep your boats safe and under control, know protected species, seasons, and bag limits, and remember you may need a vehicle pass for some parks.
Check with your local Natural Resources department or local conservation or law enforcement with questions.