Free Fishing Days 2023

These are days – some states even offer free fishing weekends – where anglers can go fishing without a license. Check out the next free fishing days in your state.

Fishing is a beloved pastime for many, and many states offer "free fishing days" where residents and visitors can fish without a license. These days are a great opportunity for people to try out fishing for the first time, or for experienced anglers to introduce a friend or family member to the sport.

States Free Fishing Days 2023

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.

Alabama

Second Saturday in June. June 10, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days AL

Alaska

Youth anglers 15 and under and anglers 61 and older fish for free year-round.
More info about Free Fishing Days AK

Arizona

First Saturday in June. June 3, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days AZ

Arkansas

Second full weekend in June. June 10-11, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days AR

California

Saturday July 1 and Saturday September 2, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days CA

Colorado

June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days CO

Connecticut

Saturday, May 13 & June 18, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days CT

DC

June 10-11, 2023

Delaware

First full weekend of June. June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days DE

Florida

First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April (freshwater) April 1-2
Second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June (freshwater) June 3-4
First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June (saltwater) June 3-4
First Saturday in September (saltwater) September 2
Saturday following Thanksgiving (saltwater) November 25
More info about Free Fishing Days FL

Georgia

June 3, June 10
National Hunting and Fishing day September 23, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days GA

 
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Hawaii

365 days a year (marine)
More info about Free Fishing Days HI

Idaho

Second Saturday every June. June 10, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days ID

Illinois

Father's Day weekend in June. June 17-18, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days IL

Indiana

May 7, June 3-4
National Public Lands Day September 23, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days IN

Iowa

Free Fishing Weekend is the first Friday - Sunday that falls in June (June 2-4, 2023).
More info about Free Fishing Days IA

Kansas

June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days KS

Kentucky

June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days KY

Louisiana

Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 10-11, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days LA

Maine

Feb 18-19 and June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days ME

Maryland

June 3, June 10, July 4 Independence Day, 2023. Year-round License-free fishing areas throughout the tidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay
More info about Free Fishing Days MD

 
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Massachusetts     

Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend is June 3-4, 2023
Free Saltwater Fishing Weekend is June 17-18, 2023.
More info about Free Fishing Days MA

Michigan

The winter weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday of President's Day weekend and the summer weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday following the first full week of June
Winter: Feb 18-19, 2023
Summer: June 10-11, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days MI

Minnesota

Jan. 14-16, 2023 - MN Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend (MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16)
May 13-14, 2023 - Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (Minnesota resident moms fish free)
June 9-11, 2023 - Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16)
More info about Free Fishing Days MN

Mississippi

On June 3 and 4, 2023, during National Fishing and Boating Week, a sport fishing license is not required for Mississippi residents for all public waters, and fishing permits for all anglers at State Lakes and State Park Lakes are free!
Mississippi residents can fish without a fishing license on July 4th in all waters of the state. State Fishing Lake and State Park Permits are required to fish in State Fishing Lakes and State Park Lakes on July 4.
More info about Free Fishing Days MS

Missouri

Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. June 10-11, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days MO

Montana

Father's Day weekend. June 17-18, 2023
Mothers Day Weekend May 7-8
More info about Free Fishing Days MT

Nebraska

Free Fishing/Free Park Entry Day on Saturday, May 20, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days NE

Nevada

Second Saturday in June. June 10, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days NV

New Hampshire

Third Saturday in January. Jan 21, 2023
First Saturday in June. June 3, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days NH

 
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New Jersey

June 3 and October 21, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days NJ

New Mexico

First Saturday in June. June 3, 2023
Last Saturday in September. September 30, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days NM

New York

February 18 & 19, 2023 (President's Day Weekend)
June 24 & 25, 2023
September 23, 2023 (National Hunting & Fishing Day)
November 11, 2023 (Veterans Day)
More info about Free Fishing Days NY

North Carolina

July 4 Independence Day
More info about Free Fishing Days NC

North Dakota

First weekend in June. June 3-4, 2023.
Last weekend in Dec. December 30-31, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days ND

Ohio

Father’s Day weekend. June 17-18, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days OH

Oklahoma

First Weekend in June. June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days OK

Oregon

President’s Day weekend, Feb 18-19, 2023
First Weekend in June. June 3-4, 2023
Thanksgiving Weekend. November 25-26, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days OR

Pennsylvania

Sunday before Memorial Day. May 28, 2023
Independence Day, July 4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days PA

Rhode Island

First Weekend in May. (Freshwater Fishing only) May 6-7, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days RI

South Carolina

Memorial Day May 29, 2023
Independence Day, July 4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days SC

 
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South Dakota

May 21-23, 2023
June 18, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days SD

Tennessee

Saturday of the first full week in June. June 10, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days TN

Texas

First Saturday in June. June 3, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days TX

Utah

June 10, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days UT

Vermont

Free Ice Fishing Day and Fishing Festival. January 28, 2023
Second Saturday in June. June 10, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days VT

Virginia

First full weekend in June. June 2-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days VA

Washington

"Free Fishing Weekend" is June 10-11, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days WA

West Virginia

Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 10-11, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days WV

Wisconsin

Winter Free Fishing weekend - Third weekend in January. January 21-22, 2023
Summer Free Fishing weekend - First Saturday and Sunday in June. June 3-4, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days WI

Wyoming

First Saturday in June. June 3, 2023
More info about Free Fishing Days WY

 
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National Fishing and Boating Week 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 3-11, 2023. Learn more about National Fishing and Boating Week.