2024 Free Fishing Days (No license required)
Last Updated: 3/17/2024
Every state has “free fishing days” where anyone can fish without a license. These days are the perfect opportunity for beginners to try fishing out for the first time. Below you will find the days that your state doesn’t require a license.

Free Fishing Days for Every State
State | Free Fishing Days | |
---|---|---|
Alabama | Alabama's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June each year. For 2024 it's TBA. | |
Alaska | Anglers in Alaska who are 15 and under or 61 and older can fish for free year-round | |
Arizona | Arizona's free fishing day is the first Saturday in June. For 2024 it's June 1. | |
Arkansas | Arkansas's free fishing day is the second full Weekend in June. For 2024 it's June 7-9. | |
California | California's free fishing day is July 6 and August 31 for 2024. | |
Colorado | Colorado's free fishing day is June 1-2, 2024 | |
Connecticut | Connecticut's free fishing day is June 1-22. | |
Delaware | Delaware's free fishing day is the first full Weekend of June. For 2024 it's TBA. | |
Florida | Florida's free freshwater fishing day is the first Weekend in April and the second Weekend in June. For 2024 it's April 6-7 and June 8-9. Florida's free saltwater fishing day is the first Weekend in June, first Saturday in September, and the Saturday following Thanksgiving. For 2024 it's June 1-2, September 7, and November 30th. | |
Georgia | Georgia's free fishing day is June 1 & 8 and September 28th for 2024. | |
Hawaii | Saltwater fishing in Hawaii is free for recreational anglers. | |
Idaho | Idaho's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June each year. For 2024 it's June 8th. | |
Illinois | Illinois's free fishing day is Father's Day Weekend in June each year. For 2024 it's June 14-17. | |
Indiana | Indiana's free fishing day is May 12th, June 1-2, and September 28, 2024. | |
Iowa | Iowa's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2024 it's June 7-9. | |
Kansas | Kansas's free fishing day is June 1-2, 2024. | |
Kentucky | Kentucky's free fishing day is TBA, 2024. | |
Louisiana | Louisiana's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2024 it's June 8-9. | |
Maine | Maine's free fishing day is February 17-18 and June 1-2, 2024. | |
Maryland | Maryland's free fishing day is June 1 & 8, July 4th, 2024. | |
Massachusetts | Massachuttes's free fishing day is June 1-2, 2024. | |
Michigan | Michigan's free fishing day is February 17-18 and June 8-9, 2024. | |
Minnesota | Minnesota offers free fishing in most state park year round. | |
Mississippi | Mississippi's free fishing day is June 1-2, 2024. | |
Missouri | Missouri's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2024 it's June 8-9. | |
Montana | Montana's free fishing days are Father's Day Weekend and Mothers Day Weekend. For 2024 it's June 15-16. | |
Nebraska | Nebraska's free fishing day is TBA, 2024. | |
Nevada | Nevada's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June. For 2024 it's June 8th. | |
New Hampshire | New hampshire's free fishing day is January 20 and June 1, 2024. | |
New Jersey | New Jersey's free fishing day is June 1 and October 19, 2024. | |
New Mexico | New Mexico's free fishing day is JTBA, 2024. | |
New York | New York's free fishing day is February 17-18, June 29-30, September 28 and November 11, 2024. | |
North Carolina | North Carolina's free fishing day is July 4th. | |
North Dakota | North Dakota's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2024 it's TBA. | |
Ohio | Ohio's free fishing day is Father’s Day Weekend. For 2024 it's June 15-16. | |
Oklahoma | Oklahoma's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2024 it's June 1-2. | |
Oregon | Oregon's free fishing day is President’s Day Weekend, Feb 17-18, June 1-2, and November 29-30, 2024. | |
Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania's free fishing day is May 26th and July 4th, 2024. | |
Rhode Island | Rhode Island's free freshwater fishing day is the first Weekend in May. For 2024, it's TBA. | |
South Carolina | South Carolina's free fishing day is Memorial Day, May 27 and Independence Day, July 4th. | |
South Dakota | South Dakota's free fishing day is May 17-19, 2024. | |
Tennessee | Tennesse's free fishing day is June 8-16, 2024. | |
Texas | Texas's free fishing day is June 1, 2024. | |
Utah | Utah's free fishing day is June 8, 2024. | |
Vermont | Vermont's free fishing day isTBA. | |
Virginia | Virginia's free fishing day is June 7-9, 2024. | |
Washington | Washington's free fishing day is June 6-8. | |
West Virginia | West Virginia's free fishing day is TBA. | |
Wisconsin | Wisconsin's free fishing day is January 1-2, 2024. | |
Wyoming | Wyoming's free fishing day is June 1, 2024. |
Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, ballot initiatives, rulings in courts, and other means. While we strive to provide the most up to date information available, please consult a lawyer or verify the state law(s) you are researching.
We strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information possible. We routinely review and update our articles but don’t always make corrections as soon as they happen. If you see incorrect information please help us by submitting a correction form.