HookedinFishing » Free Fishing Days

2023 Free Fishing Days (No license required)

Free fishing 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.

To help get you started we offer guides to help walk you through learning to fish. Be sure to find out who needs a fishing license if you plan to fish beyond your states free fishing day.

Family sitting on dock while fishing

Free Fishing Days for Every State

StateFree Fishing Days
AlabamaAlabama's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June each year. For 2023 it's June 12.
AlaskaAnglers in Alaska who are 15 and under or 61 and older can fish for free year-round
ArizonaArizona's free fishing day is the first Saturday in June. For 2023 it's June 5.
ArkansasArkansas's free fishing day is the second full Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 9-11.
CaliforniaCalifornia's free fishing day is July 1 and September 2 for 2023.
ColoradoColorado's free fishing day is June 5-6, 2023
ConnecticutConnecticut's free fishing day is May 8, June 20, and August 14.
DelawareDelaware's free fishing day is the first full Weekend of June. For 2023 it's June 5-6.
FloridaFlorida's free freshwater fishing day is the first Weekend in April and the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's April 1st & 2nd and June 3rd & 4th.
Florida's free saltwater fishing day is the first Weekend in June, first Saturday in September, and the Saturday following Thanksgiving. For 2023 it's June 3rd & 4th, September 2nd, and November 25th.
GeorgiaGeorgia's free fishing day is June 5 & 12 and September 24th for 2023.
HawaiiSaltwater fishing in Hawaii is free for recreational anglers.
IdahoIdaho's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June each year. For 2023 it's June 10th.
IllinoisIllinois's free fishing day is Father's Day Weekend in June each year. For 2023 it's June 18-21.
IndianaIndiana's free fishing day is May 2nd, June 5-6, and September 24, 2023.
IowaIowa's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 4-6.
KansasKansas's free fishing day is June 5-6, 2023.
KentuckyKentucky's free fishing day is June 5-6, 2023.
LouisianaLouisiana's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 12-13.
MaineMaine's free fishing day is February 18-19 and June 3-4, 2023.
MarylandMaryland's free fishing day is June 5 & 12, July 4th, 2023.
MassachusettsMassachuttes's freshwater free fishing day is June 3-4, 2023. Massachuttes's saltwater free fishing day is June 17-18, 2023.
MichiganMichigan's free fishing day is February 18-19 and June 10-11, 2023.
MinnesotaMinnesota offers free ice fishing January 14-16, 2023 for residents 16 and older who are fishing with children younger than 16. Moms fish for free May 8-9. Minnesota residents 16 and older who are fishing with children younger than 16 can fish for free on June 11-13, 2023.
MississippiMississippi's free fishing day is June 5-6 and July 4th, 2023.
MissouriMissouri's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 12-13.
MontanaMontana's free fishing days are Father's Day Weekend and Mothers Day Weekend. For 2023 it's June 19-20 and May 7-8.
NebraskaNebraska's free fishing day is Saturday, May 22, 2023.
NevadaNevada's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June. For 2023 it's June 10th.
New HampshireNew hampshire's free fishing day is January 21 and June 3, 2023.
New JerseyNew Jersey's free fishing day is June 5 and October 23, 2023.
New MexicoNew Mexico's free fishing day is June 5th and September 25, 2023.
New YorkNew York's free fishing day is February 18-19, June 24-25, September 23 and November 11, 2023.
North CarolinaNorth Carolina's free fishing day is July 4th.
North DakotaNorth Dakota's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 5-6.
OhioOhio's free fishing day is Father’s Day Weekend. For 2023 it's June 19-20.
OklahomaOklahoma's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 3-4.
OregonOregon's free fishing day is President’s Day Weekend, Feb 18-19, June 3-4, and November 24-25, 2023.
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania's free fishing day is May 30th and July 4th, 2023.
Rhode IslandRhode Island's free freshwater fishing day is the first Weekend in May. For 2023, it's May 1-2nd.
South CarolinaSouth Carolina's free fishing day is Memorial Day, May 31, 2023 and Independence Day, July 4th.
South DakotaSouth Dakota's free fishing day is May 19-21, 2023.
TennesseeTennesse's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June. For 2023 it's June 12.
TexasTexas's free fishing day is June 5, 2023.
UtahUtah's free fishing day is June 10, 2023.
VermontVermont's free fishing day is January 28th and the second Saturday in June, for 2023 it's June 10th.
VirginiaVirginia's free fishing day is June 4-6, 2023.
WashingtonWashington's free fishing day is June 5-6 & 13.
West VirginiaWest Virginia's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 12-13.
WisconsinWisconsin's free fishing day is January 21-22 and June 2-3, 2023.
WyomingWyoming's free fishing day is June 5, 2023.

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.