Free fishing weekends make it easier than ever to get on the water without a license. Mark your calendar and plan ahead, because these special dates open doors to new waters and new memories. Expect updates from each agency as spring approaches, and explore free fishing days in every state that fit your schedule.
Fish To Catch During Free Fishing in the Northeast
Early June shines for striped bass along the coast, with bluefish roaming near rips and estuaries. Coastal anglers also see fluke, scup, and black sea bass options where in season. Inland lakes produce brook, brown, and rainbow trout at first light, while smallmouth bass crush moving baits on rocky structure.
Fish To Catch During Free Fishing in the Midwest
Largemouth and smallmouth bass hit topwaters and finesse rigs around weedlines and rock. Walleye patrol breaks at dawn and dusk, with slip bobbers and jigs producing steady bites. Crappie and bluegill school tight to cover in warm bays, while channel catfish bite cut bait after sunset.
Fish To Catch During Free Fishing in the South
Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder dominate inshore saltwater. Freshwater anglers find reliable bites from largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and blue catfish on current edges and grass. Gulf riders may see early tarpon in Florida and bull reds near jetties.
Fish To Catch During Free Fishing in the West
Trout and kokanee feed aggressively in the mornings on high-country lakes. Chinook salmon runs vary by basin, while steelhead and trout remain options where open. In California and the Pacific Northwest, surfperch, rockfish, and lingcod round out coastal plans.
Every State’s Free Fishing Days
Mark your calendar and make the most of these license-free opportunities. Note that many dates haven’t been officially announced quite yet. Look to last year’s dates to get a general idea of when your state’s next Free Fishing Day will be.
Alabama
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Day was June 7 (during National Fishing and Boating Week).
Alaska
No specific free fishing days, but residents in select demographic groups may fish for free all year.
Arizona
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Day was June 7. Note that in Arizona, children under 10 can always fish for free.
Arkansas
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Weekend was June 6–8.
California
California offers two Free Fishing Days annually, but the 2026 dates are not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were July 5 and August 30.
Colorado
In 2026, Free Fishing Days are June 6–7 (the first full weekend in June).
Connecticut
May 9, 2026: Free Fishing Day
June 21, 2026: Free Fishing License Day 1 (1-day license required)
August 8, 2026: Free Fishing License Day 2 (1-day license required)
Delaware
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8.
Florida
Freshwater fishing: First Saturday–Sunday in April; Second Saturday–Sunday in June
Saltwater fishing: First Saturday–Sunday in June; First Saturday in September; Saturday after Thanksgiving
Georgia
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were May 31 and June 7.
Hawaii
No marine recreational fishing license required for residents. Nonresidents and commercial fishers must be licensed, and there are no explicitly free fishing days for saltwater fishing.
Unfortunately, there are also no statewide designated free fishing days for freshwater; however, children under 9 may fish with a licensed adult.
Idaho
June 13, 2026
Illinois
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 13–16.
Indiana
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were May 4, June 7–8, and September 27.
Iowa
June 5–7, 2026 (the first Friday–Sunday in June for Iowa residents)
Kansas
June 6–7, 2026 (first Saturday and Sunday in June)
Kentucky
June 6–7, 2026 (first full weekend in June; Saturday and Sunday)
Louisiana
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8.
Maine
February 14–15, 2026 and May 30–31, 2026
Maryland
June 6 and June 13, 2026 (first two Saturdays in June) and July 4. Children under 16 can fish without a license throughout the year.
Massachusetts
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8.
Michigan
Winter: February 14–15, 2026 (President’s Day weekend)
Summer: June 13–14, 2026 (first full weekend after the first full week of June)
Minnesota
January 17–19, 2026: Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
May 10–11, 2026: Take a Mom Fishing Weekend
June 5–7, 2026: Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (for adults fishing with children under 16)
Keep in mind that in state parks, anglers generally do not need a license.
Mississippi
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8 and July 4.
Missouri
June 6–7, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June)
Montana
May 9–10, 2026: Mother’s Day Weekend
June 20–21, 2026: Father’s Day Weekend
Nebraska
June 16, 2026 (Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend)
Nevada
June 13, 2026 (second Saturday in June each year)
New Hampshire
January 17, 2026: Third Saturday in January
June 6, 2026: First Saturday in June
New Jersey
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7 and October 18.
New Mexico
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8 and September 27–28.
New York
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days included:
February 15–16 (President’s Day Weekend)
June 28–29
September 27 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)
North Carolina
In recent years, July 4 has been recognized as a Free Fishing Day. Children under 16 never need a license.
North Dakota
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8 and December 27–28.
Ohio
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were May 5–6 and June 14–15.
Oklahoma
June 6–7, 2026
Oregon
President’s Day Weekend (February 14–15, 2026)
First weekend in June (June 6–7, 2026)
Thanksgiving Weekend (dates to be confirmed yearly)
Pennsylvania
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were May 25 and July 4.
Rhode Island
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025 (freshwater), Free Fishing Days were May 3–4.
South Carolina
Always on July 4 and an additional date in May (to be announced; May 27 in 2025).
South Dakota
Typically Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends. In 2025, Free Fishing Weekend was May 16–18. 2026 dates to be announced.
Tennessee
June 6, 2026 (first Saturday of the first full week in June)
Free Fishing Week follows for children under 16.
Texas
June 6, 2026 (first Saturday in June each year)
Utah
June 6, 2026 (typically the first Saturday in June)
Vermont
January 31, 2026 (last Saturday in January for ice fishing)
Summer Free Fishing Day for 2026 is not yet announced.
Virginia
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 6–8.
Washington
June 6–7, 2026
West Virginia
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8.
Wisconsin
2026 dates not yet announced. In 2025, Free Fishing Days were June 7–8.
Wyoming
Free Fishing Day is the first Saturday of National Boating and Fishing Week (June 6, 2026).
Maximize Your Fishing Experience
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