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For most people, fishing is a popular pastime that has been enjoyed for generations, but not everyone who fishes regularly is an experienced angler or can afford to purchase fishing licenses regularly, which makes free fishing days an excellent opportunity to get out on the water.
If you’re new to an area or new to fishing, a free fishing day sponsored by your state is an excellent opportunity to try fishing, but when are the free fishing days in your state? In the following free fishing day guide, we’ll cover:
If you love fishing, check out the Best States for Fishing: A Comprehensive Guide for Anglers! Your ultimate guide to the best states in the USA to go angling.
Free fishing days are a great opportunity to take someone new fishing or just try fishing for the first time if you’ve never been, but where are the best places to go fishing? Luckily, the Fishbox App has you covered with all the best fishing locations and the best time to hit the water in your local area.
Thanks to the Fishbox App, a premium downloadable Fishing Forecasting App that you can take fishing with you, you’ll know the best time to plan your fishing trip, including when your target species is most active and the best local hotspots to try your luck.
A free fishing day is a specific day or days in a state where anyone can go fishing without needing to purchase a fishing license. It’s a great opportunity to get out on the water with friends, family, and young children who are just learning to fish or fishing for the first time.
Typically, each state offers several free fishing days per year, with most states providing them on long weekends and holidays to maximize opportunities for residents to explore the great fishing opportunities in their state.
While you don’t need a fishing license or permit to fish on a free fishing day, the same rules and regulations still apply, so checking the regulations before you hit the water is essential.
You’ll still need to abide by the following regulations:
Free fishing days are a fantastic opportunity to try fishing for the first time without having to commit to purchasing an annual fishing license. It also allows you to take new anglers and kids out fishing to teach them the joys and fun associated with fishing. As we mentioned above, all the regular fishing rules and regulations apply, including size, season, and catch limits, so be sure to check out your state’s regulations before getting out on the water.
Below, we’ve listed all the state’s free fishing days, along with links to where you can find more information about each state’s fishing rules and regulations.
| State | Free Fishing Dates | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | June 13th 2026 | Outdoor Alabama |
| Alaska | Residents Under 18 (and Over 60) Year-Round | Alaska Fish and Game |
| Arizona | June 6th 2026 | Arizona Game and Fish |
| Arkansas | June 12th – June 14th 2026 | Arkansas Game and Fish |
| California | July 4th and September 5th 2026 | California Fish and Wildlife |
| Colorado | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
| Connecticut | May 9th, June 21st, August 8th 2026 | Connecticut Energy and Resources |
| DC | Not yet announced for 2026 | DOEC |
| Delaware | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Delaware Fishing |
| Florida | April 4th – 5th, June 13th – 14th Freshwater. June 6th – 7th, Sept. 5th and Nov. 28th, 2026, Saltwater. | Florida Fish and Wildlife |
| Georgia | June 6th, June 13th, and September 27th, 2026 | Georgia Wildlife Division |
| Hawaii | Year-Round in Saltwater | Division of Aquatic Resources |
| Idaho | June 13th 2026 | Idaho Fish and Game |
| Illinois | June 19th – June 22nd 2026 | Illinois Fish and Game |
| Indiana | May 10th, June 6th – 7th, and Sept. 26th, 2026 | Indiana Fish and Wildlife |
| Iowa | June 5th – June 7th 2026 | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Kansas | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Kansas Dept. Wildlife and Parks |
| Kentucky | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Kentucky Fish and Wildlife |
| Louisiana | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries |
| Maine | May 30th – 31st, 2026 | Maine Inland Fisheries |
| Maryland | June 6th, June 13th, and July 4th 2026 | Maryland Dept. Natural Resources |
| Massachusetts | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Division of Fish and Wildlife |
| Michigan | February 14th – 15th and June 13th – 14th, 2026 | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Minnesota | May 9th – 10th Take a Mom Fishing, June 5th – 7th Take a Kid Fishing, and January 17th – 19th Take a Kid Ice Fishing | Parks and Wildlife |
| Mississippi | June 6th – June 7th, and July 4th 2026 | Mississippi Fish & Game |
| Missouri | June 6th – June 7th, 2026 | Department of Conservation |
| Montana | May 9th – 10th, June 20th – June 21st 2026 | Montana Fish, Game, & Parks |
| Nebraska | May 16th, 2026 | Nebraska Game and Parks |
| Nevada | June 13th, 2026 | Nevada Fish and Wildlife |
| New Hampshire | June 6th, 2026 | Fish and Game Department |
| New Jersey | June 6th and September 26th, 2026 | New Jersey Fish & Wildlife |
| New Mexico | June 7th – 8th, and September 27th – 28th, 2026 | New Mexico Fish & Game |
| New York | February 14th – 15th, June 27th – 28th, September 26th, and November 11th, 2026 | New York Fish and Game |
| North Carolina | July 4th and September 5th, 2026 | Fish and Game Department |
| North Dakota | June 6th – June 7th, and December 26th – 27th, 2026 | Fish and Wildlife |
| Ohio | June 20th – June 21st, 2026 | Department of Natural Resources |
| Oklahoma | June 6th – June 7th, 2026 | Oklahoma Fish and Game |
| Oregon | February 14th – 15th, June 6th – 7th, and November 27th – 28th, 2026 | Oregon Fish and Wildlife |
| Pennsylvania | May 24th and July 4th, 2026 | Pennsylvania Fish and Boat |
| Rhode Island | May 2nd – May 3rd, 2026 | Dept. Environmental Management |
| South Carolina | May 25th and July 4th, 2026 | South Carolina Fish and Game |
| South Dakota | May 15th – May 17th, 2026 | South Dakota Fish and Wildlife |
| Tennessee | June 6th, 2026 | Tennessee Wildlife Resources |
| Texas | June 6th, 2026 | Texas Parks and Wildlife |
| Utah | June 6th, 2026 | Utah Division of Fish and Wildlife |
| Vermont | June 13th, 2026 | Agency of Natural Resources |
| Virginia | June 5th – June 7th, 2026 | Virginia DWR |
| Washington | June 6th – June 7th 2026 | Washington Fish & Wildlife |
| West Virginia | June 13th – June 14th 2026 | West Virginia DNR |
| Wisconsin | June 6th – June 7th, 2026 | Department of Natural Resources |
| Wyoming | June 6th, 2026 | Wyoming Fish & Game Department |
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the FAQs related to free fishing days in the United States.
Do I need a fishing license on Free Fishing Days?
For almost all states, a fishing license on free fishing days isn’t a requirement. However, some states have additional free fishing days, so you need to apply for a free fishing license before you head out on the water. Check your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department website for more information.
Are there any age restrictions?
Free fishing days are open to all ages, and there are no age restrictions on who can take advantage of a free fishing day.
Can I fish in any body of water on Free Fishing Days?
Not all bodies of water will be open on free fishing days. State closures for spawning will still apply, so check your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department website for more information before going out on the water.
With limited free fishing days in each state, it’s essential to plan ahead so that you can make the most of these limited opportunities. If you’re new to fishing or just want to take some friends or family fishing that don’t typically go fishing, a free fishing day is the perfect time to do it.
Thanks to state-of-the-art technology in the Fishbox App, and the latest weather and tidal prediction software and algorithms, anglers will be able to accurately track weather conditions in their fishing area and predict the best times to go fishing. It combines predictive fish behavior with weather, lunar, and tidal conditions to deliver optimal fishing opportunities, regardless of where you plan on going angling.
The Fishing App was developed in collaboration with accurate weather data and expert fish behavioral analysis. These advanced forecasts will significantly increase your catch rate while cutting down on how much time you spend fishing. Take your fishing to the next level thanks to the expert advice from the Fishbox App team.
