Mark your calendars with this year's Free Fishing Days happening across the country.
There's nothing quite like grabbing some gear, rigging up, and hitting the water for some good times spent fishing.
Though a fishing license is a small price to pay for the benefits it gives you, there's good reason for states to offer up opportunities for folks to fish without one. It can help introduce the sport, get family and friends together, and promote an appreciation for the outdoors.
During National Fishing and Boating Week (June 1-9, 2019), most states offer free fishing days, and in some cases they last for an entire weekend. There may even be additional days later in the year available to participate in some sport fishing for free.
Remember that, in general, all the same fishing regulations still apply during Free Fishing Days, and some states make adjustments to size or bag limits, depending on the situation. Make sure you execute your due diligence to determine that you're staying legal. If you don't see the state you're looking for, that most likely means they don't participate in Free Fishing Days.
If there was ever a time to encourage folks to go fishing for the first time, it'd be on a day they can do it for free.
Alabama
Second Saturday in June. June 8.
Arkansas
Second full weekend in June. Free Fishing Weekend begins at noon on June 7 and ends at midnight on June 9.
Arizona
First Saturday in June. June 1.
California
First Saturday in July. Saturday, July 6 and Saturday, August 31
Colorado
First full weekend of June. June 1-2.
Connecticut
May 11. CT offers 2 free fishing license days Sunday June 16 and Saturday Aug 10 (must get the free one day license)
Washington, D.C.
First full week of June. From Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 9.
Delaware
First full weekend of June. June 1-2.
Florida
First Saturday and Sunday in April (freshwater)
Second Saturday and Sunday in June (freshwater)
First Saturday and Sunday in June (saltwater)
First Saturday in September (saltwater)
Saturday following Thanksgiving (saltwater)
Georgia
June 1, June 8, September 28, 2019
Hawaii
365 days a year (marine)
Iowa
First Friday, Saturday and Sunday that land in June: June 7-9, 2019.
Idaho
Second Saturday every June. June 8.
Illinois
Father's Day weekend in June. June 15-16.
Indiana
April 20, May 18, and June 1-2.
Kansas
First full weekend in June. June 1-2.
Kentucky
First full weekend in June. June 1-2.
Louisiana
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9
Maine
Free Fishing Weekends in Maine are February 16-17, 2019 and June 1-2, 2019.
Maryland
June 1, June 8, and July 4 Independence Day.
Massachusetts
First Saturday & Sunday in June (Freshwater). Fathers Day weekend June 15-16 (Saltwater)
Michigan
Feb 16-17 and Second weekend in June 8-9.
Minnesota
MN Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Jan 19-21, 2019 MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.
Take a Mom Fishing Weekend—May 11-12, 2019
Minnesota resident moms fish free.
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend—June 7-9, 2019
Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.
Missouri
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9.
Mississippi
June 2-3 and Independence day July 4
Montana
Father's Day weekend. June 15-16.
North Carolina
July 4 Independence Day
North Dakota
First weekend in June June 1-2. Last weekend in Dec. Dec 28-29 (free ice fishing days)
Nebraska
Free Fishing/Free Park Entry day on Saturday, May 18.
New Hampshire
Third Saturday in January. Jan 19.
First Saturday in June. June 1.
New Jersey
Second Saturday in June 8. October 19.
New Mexico
First Saturday in June 1 and the last Saturday in September 28 (National Hungting and Fishing Day)
New York
February 16-17, 2019
June 29-30, 2019
September 28, 2019
November 11, 2019
Nevada
Second Saturday in June. June 8.
Ohio
First Saturday and Sunday in May. May 4-5.
Oklahoma
First Weekend in June. June 1-2.
Oregon
Feb. 16-17 (Saturday & Sunday), President's Day Weekend
June 1-2 (Saturday & Sunday)
Aug. 17-18 (Saturday & Sunday)
Nov. 29-30 (Friday & Saturday), Thanksgiving Weekend
Pennsylvania
May 26, and July 4 Independence Day
Rhode Island
First Weekend in May. May 4-5 (Freshwater Fishing only)
South Carolina
Memorial Day. May 27.
Independence Day. July 4.
South Dakota
Typically the third weekend in May. May 18-19.
Tennessee
The first Saturday after the first Monday of the month. June 8.
Texas
First Saturday in June. June 1.
Utah
Second Saturday in June. June 8.
Virginia
Second full weekend in June. June 7, 8 and 9.
Vermont
Fourth Saturday in January and Second Saturday in June.
Washington
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9.
Wisconsin
Winter Free Fishing weekend - Third weekend in January (Jan 19-20). Summer Free Fishing weekend - First Saturday and Sunday in June (June 1-2).
West Virginia
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 8-9.
Wyoming
First Saturday in June. June 1.
Where will you do your fishing this season? TakeMeFishing.org has a pretty great interactive map that will narrow it down for you.
Hopefully this list helps you make a few decisions, and encourages you to bring someone along who could stand a nice introduction without the fees associated with a fishing license.
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