For most people, fishing is a popular pastime that has been enjoyed for generations, but not everyone who fishes regularly is an experienced angler or can afford to purchase fishing licenses regularly, which makes free fishing days an excellent opportunity to get out on the water.
If you’re new to an area or new to fishing, a free fishing day sponsored by your state is an excellent opportunity to try fishing, but when are the free fishing days in your state? In the following free fishing day guide, we’ll cover:
If you love fishing, check out the Best States for Fishing: A Comprehensive Guide for Anglers! Your ultimate guide to the best states in the USA to go angling.
Free fishing days are a great opportunity to take someone new fishing or just try fishing for the first time if you’ve never been, but where are the best places to go fishing? Luckily, the Fishbox App has you covered with all the best fishing locations and the best time to hit the water in your local area.
Thanks to the Fishbox App, a premium downloadable Fishing Forecasting App that you can take fishing with you, you’ll know the best time to plan your fishing trip, including when your target species is most active and the best local hotspots to try your luck.
What Are Free Fishing Days?
A free fishing day is a specific day or days in a state where anyone can go fishing without needing to purchase a fishing license. It’s a great opportunity to get out on the water with friends, family, and young children who are just learning to fish or fishing for the first time.
Typically, each state offers several free fishing days per year, with most states providing them on long weekends and holidays to maximize opportunities for residents to explore the great fishing opportunities in their state.
While you don’t need a fishing license or permit to fish on a free fishing day, the same rules and regulations still apply, so checking the regulations before you hit the water is essential.
You’ll still need to abide by the following regulations:
- Size Limits – You can only catch fish species according to their designated size limits, which typically include a minimum size and also, in some cases, a maximum size. Fish species are measured in different ways, so be sure to check how to accurately measure your fish first and bring an accurate measuring device.
- Season Limits – Some fish species have open and closed seasons, and these seasons will vary depending on what body of water you’re fishing on. Season limits are typically set to protect fish before, during, and after spawning.
- Catch Limits – Just because it’s a free fishing day, catch or bag limits still apply, limiting how many fish of a particular species you can catch.
The Benefits of Free Fishing Days
Free fishing days are a fantastic opportunity to try fishing for the first time without having to commit to purchasing an annual fishing license. It also allows you to take new anglers and kids out fishing to teach them the joys and fun associated with fishing. As we mentioned above, all the regular fishing rules and regulations apply, including size, season, and catch limits, so be sure to check out your state’s regulations before getting out on the water.
Free Fishing Days 2025: Key Dates
Below, we’ve listed all the state’s free fishing days, along with links to where you can find more information about each state’s fishing rules and regulations.
| State | Free Fishing Dates | More Information |
| Alabama | June 7th 2025 | Outdoor Alabama |
| Alaska | Residents Under 18 Year-Round | Alaska Fish and Game |
| Arizona | June 7th 2025 | Arizona Game and Fish |
| Arkansas | June 6th – June 8th 2025 | Arkansas Game and Fish |
| California | July 5th and August 30th 2025 | California Fish and Wildlife |
| Colorado | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
| Connecticut | May 10th, June 15th, August 9th 2025 | Connecticut Energy and Resources |
| DC | June 1st – June 8th 2025 | DOEC |
| Delaware | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Delaware Fishing |
| Florida | April 5th – 6th, June 14th – 15th Freshwater. June 7th – 8th, Sept. 6th and Nov. 29th, 2025, Saltwater. | Florida Fish and Wildlife |
| Georgia | June 1st and June 8th, 2025 | Georgia Wildlife Division |
| Hawaii | Year-Round in Saltwater | Division of Aquatic Resources |
| Idaho | June 14th 2025 | Idaho Fish and Game |
| Illinois | June 13th – June 16th 2025 | Illinois Fish and Game |
| Indiana | May 4th, June 7th – 8th, and Sept. 27th, 2025 | Indiana Fish and Wildlife |
| Iowa | June 6th – June 8th 2025 | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Kansas | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Kansas Dept. Wildlife and Parks |
| Kentucky | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Kentucky Fish and Wildlife |
| Louisiana | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries |
| Maine | February 15th – 16th and May 31st – June 1st, 2025 | Maine Inland Fisheries |
| Maryland | June 7th, June 14th, and July 4th 2025 | Maryland Dept. Natural Resources |
| Massachusetts | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Division of Fish and Wildlife |
| Michigan | February 15th – 16th and June 7th – 8th, 2025 | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Minnesota | May 10th – 11th Take a Mom Fishing, June 6th – 8th Take a Kid Fishing, and January 17th – 19th, Take a Kid Ice Fishing | Parks and Wildlife |
| Mississippi | June 7th – June 8th, and July 4th 2025 | Mississippi Fish & Game |
| Missouri | April 12th for Veterans, June 7th – June 8th, and September 27th for Women, 2025 | Department of Conservation |
| Montana | May 10th – 11th, June 14th – June 15th 2025 | Montana Fish, Game, & Parks |
| Nebraska | May 17th, 2025 | Nebraska Game and Parks |
| Nevada | June 14th, 2025 | Nevada Fish and Wildlife |
| New Hampshire | June 7th, 2025 | Fish and Game Department |
| New Jersey | June 7th and October 18th, 2025 | New Jersey Fish & Wildlife |
| New Mexico | June 7th – 8th, 2025 | New Mexico Fish & Game |
| New York | June 28th – 29th, September 27th, and November 11th, 2025 | New York Fish and Game |
| North Carolina | July 4th, 2025 | Fish and Game Department |
| North Dakota | June 7th – June 8th, and December 27th – 28th, 2025 | Fish and Wildlife |
| Ohio | June 14th – June 15th, 2025 | Department of Natural Resources |
| Oklahoma | June 7th – June 8th, 2025 | Oklahoma Fish and Game |
| Oregon | June 7th – June 8th, and November 28th – 29th, 2025 | Oregon Fish and Wildlife |
| Pennsylvania | May 25th and July 4th, 2025 | Pennsylvania Fish and Boat |
| Rhode Island | May 3rd – May 4th, 2025 | Dept. Environmental Management |
| South Carolina | May 31st and July 4th, 2025 | South Carolina Fish and Game |
| South Dakota | May 16th – May 18th, 2025 | South Dakota Fish and Wildlife |
| Tennessee | June 7th – 13th, 2025 | Tennessee Wildlife Resources |
| Texas | June 7th, 2025 | Texas Parks and Wildlife |
| Utah | June 7th, 2025 | Utah Division of Fish and Wildlife |
| Vermont | June 14th, 2025, and January 31st 2026 | Agency of Natural Resources |
| Virginia | June 6th – June 8th, 2025 | Virginia DWR |
| Washington | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | Washington Fish & Wildlife |
| West Virginia | June 7th – June 8th 2025 | West Virginia DNR |
| Wisconsin | June 7th – June 8th, 2025, and January 17th – 18th, 2026 | Department of Natural Resources |
| Wyoming | June 7th, 2025 | Wyoming Fish & Game Department |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the FAQs related to free fishing days in the United States.
Do I need a fishing license on Free Fishing Days?
For almost all states, a fishing license on free fishing days isn’t a requirement. However, some states have additional free fishing days, so you need to apply for a free fishing license before you head out on the water. Check your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department website for more information.
Are there any age restrictions?
Free fishing days are open to all ages, and there are no age restrictions on who can take advantage of a free fishing day.
Can I fish in any body of water on Free Fishing Days?
Not all bodies of water will be open on free fishing days. State closures for spawning will still apply, so check your state’s Fish and Wildlife Department website for more information before going out on the water.
Free Fishing Days 2025 – Conclusion
With limited free fishing days in each state, it’s essential to plan ahead so that you can make the most of these limited opportunities. If you’re new to fishing or just want to take some friends or family fishing that don’t typically go fishing, a free fishing day is the perfect time to do it.
Thanks to state-of-the-art technology in the Fishbox App, and the latest weather and tidal prediction software and algorithms, anglers will be able to accurately track weather conditions in their fishing area and predict the best times to go fishing. It combines predictive fish behavior with weather, lunar, and tidal conditions to deliver optimal fishing opportunities, regardless of where you plan on going angling.
The Fishing App was developed in collaboration with accurate weather data and expert fish behavioral analysis. These advanced forecasts will significantly increase your catch rate while cutting down on how much time you spend fishing. Take your fishing to the next level thanks to the expert advice from the Fishbox App team.
