Fishing

Fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy some time outdoors. It's also a great way to protect fish habitat! The money you spend on a fishing license helps fund work to conserve waters, wetlands, and other resources in your state that are needed for healthy fish and wildlife populations. A portion of the sales of fishing equipment also helps fund state conservation efforts as well as support outdoor recreation opportunities.

A young boy holding a fish he just caught at a National Fishing and Boating event. Photo credit: USFWS

Free Fishing Days

Ready to cast a line? Try fishing for a day without having to purchase a license! It's the perfect opportunity to try it yourself or introduce family and friends to the fun of fishing. Your local Izaak Walton League chapter may offer fishing events for beginners, so check with your local chapter

Here are the free fishing day dates for 2023 in states with League chapters.

Alabama

Second Saturday in June (June 10)

California

First Saturday in July (July 1) and September (September 2)

Colorado

First Saturday and Sunday in June (June 3-4)

Florida

Freshwater: First Saturday and Sunday in April (April 1-2) and second Saturday and Sunday in June (June 10-11)

Saltwater: First Saturday and Sunday in June (June 3-4), first Saturday in September (September 2), and Saturday following Thanksgiving (November 25)

Georgia

First two Saturdays in June (June 3 and 10), and National Hunting and Fishing Day (September 23)

Idaho

Second Saturday in June (June 10)

Illinois

Extended Father's Day weekend of Friday through Monday (June 16-19)

Indiana

May 7, June 3-4, and National Public Lands Day (September 23)

Iowa

First weekend in June (June 2-4)

Maryland

First two Saturdays in June (June 3 and 10), and Independence Day (July 4)

Massachusetts

Freshwater: First Saturday and Sunday in June (June 3-4)

Saltwater: Saturday and Sunday of Father's Day weekend (June 17-18)

Michigan

Saturday and Sunday of Presidents Day weekend (February 18-19) and Saturday and Sunday following the first full week in June (June 10-11)

Minnesota

"Take a Kid Ice Fishing" Saturday, Sunday and Monday of MLK Day (January 14-16)

"Take a Mom Fishing" May 13-14 (Minnesota resident moms can fish for free)

"Take a Kid Fishing Days," second full weekend in June (June 11-13, Minnesota residents are free when fishing with children)

Nebraska

Saturday May 27

New York

Saturday and Sunday of President's Day weekend (February 18-19), fourth Saturday and Sunday in June (June 24-25), National Hunting and Fishing Day (September 23), and Veteran's Day (November 11)

North Carolina

Independence Day (July 4)

North Dakota

First Saturday and Sunday in June (June 3-4) and last weekend in December (December 30-31)

Ohio

Saturday and Sunday of Father's Day weekend (June 17-18)

Oregon

Saturday and Sunday of President's Day weekend (February 18-19), first Saturday and Sunday of June (June 3-4), and Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 24-25)

Pennsylvania

Sunday before Memorial Day (May 28) and Independence Day (July 4)

South Dakota

May 9, third full weekend in May (May 21-23), and Father's Day (June 18)

Virginia

First full weekend in June (June 2-4)

West Virginia

Second Saturday and Sunday in June (June 10-11)

Wisconsin

Third Saturday and Sunday in January (January 21-22) and first Saturday and Sunday in June (June 3-4)

Wyoming

First Saturday in June (June 3)


Note:
 Always refer to state fishing regulations.
 
For a complete list of "free fishing days" in these and other states, visit the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation's website.


National Fishing and Boating Week

June 3-11, 2023, marks this year's national celebration that highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing.

Izaak Walton League of America is a Proud Partner with:

Take Me Fishing logoKeep America Fishing logo