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.
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 2023 it's June 12. |
| 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 2023 it's June 5. |
| Arkansas | Arkansas's free fishing day is the second full Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 9-11. |
| California | California's free fishing day is July 3 and September 4 for 2023. |
| Colorado | Colorado's free fishing day is June 5-6, 2023 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut's free fishing day is May 8, June 20, and August 14. |
| Delaware | Delaware's free fishing day is the first full Weekend of June. For 2023 it's June 5-6. |
| Florida | Florida's free freshwater fishing day is the first Weekend in April and the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's April 3rd & 4th and June 12th & 13th. 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 5th & 6th, September 4th, and November 27th. |
| Georgia | Georgia's free fishing day is June 5 & 12 and September 24th for 2023. |
| 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 2023 it's June 10th. |
| Illinois | Illinois's free fishing day is Father's Day Weekend in June each year. For 2023 it's June 18-21. |
| Indiana | Indiana's free fishing day is May 2nd, June 5-6, and September 24, 2023. |
| Iowa | Iowa's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 4-6. |
| Kansas | Kansas's free fishing day is June 5-6, 2023. |
| Kentucky | Kentucky's free fishing day is June 5-6, 2023. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 12-13. |
| Maine | Maine's free fishing day is February 18-19 and June 3-4, 2023. |
| Maryland | Maryland's free fishing day is June 5 & 12, July 4th, 2023. |
| Massachusetts | Massachuttes's freshwater free fishing day is June 3-4, 2023. Massachuttes's saltwater free fishing day is June 17-18, 2023. |
| Michigan | Michigan's free fishing day is February 18-19 and June 10-11, 2023. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota 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. |
| Mississippi | Mississippi's free fishing day is June 5-6 and July 4th, 2023. |
| Missouri | Missouri's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 12-13. |
| Montana | Montana's free fishing days are Father's Day Weekend and Mothers Day Weekend. For 2023 it's June 19-20 and May 7-8. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska's free fishing day is Saturday, May 22, 2023. |
| Nevada | Nevada's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June. For 2023 it's June 12th. |
| New Hampshire | New hampshire's free fishing day is January 21 and June 3, 2023. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey's free fishing day is June 5 and October 23, 2023. |
| New Mexico | New Mexico's free fishing day is June 5th and September 25, 2023. |
| New York | New York's free fishing day is February 18-19, June 24-25, September 23 and November 11, 2023. |
| 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 2023 it's June 5-6. |
| Ohio | Ohio's free fishing day is Father’s Day Weekend. For 2023 it's June 19-20. |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma's free fishing day is the first Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 5-6. |
| Oregon | Oregon's free fishing day is President’s Day Weekend, Feb 18-19, June 3-4, and November 24-25, 2023. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania's free fishing day is May 30th and July 4th, 2023. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island's free freshwater fishing day is the first Weekend in May. For 2023, it's May 1-2nd. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina's free fishing day is Memorial Day, May 31, 2023 and Independence Day, July 4th. |
| South Dakota | South Dakota's free fishing day is May 9 & 21-23, 2023. |
| Tennessee | Tennesse's free fishing day is the second Saturday in June. For 2023 it's June 12. |
| Texas | Texas's free fishing day is June 5, 2023. |
| Utah | Utah's free fishing day is June 12, 2023. |
| Vermont | Vermont's free fishing day is January 28th and the second Saturday in June, for 2023 it's June 10th. |
| Virginia | Virginia's free fishing day is June 4-6, 2023. |
| Washington | Washington's free fishing day is June 5-6 & 13. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia's free fishing day is the second Weekend in June. For 2023 it's June 12-13. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin's free fishing day is January 21-22 and June 2-3, 2023. |
| Wyoming | Wyoming'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.
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