How to find free fishing days in your state

Fishing comes at a cost. We all know it and most of us embrace our conservation license as a tool to ensure fishing exists for years to come. But almost every state also provides a specific time to fish for free without needing a fishing license. These days are a great opportunity to rekindle relationships through fishing, light a a future passion for younger generations, or for just helping us fall in love with fishing again, when life becomes too hectic.

Below is a list of free fishing days for 2025 as well as the days from 2024 as most state’s free fishing days are repeat events that occur at the same general time each year.

4th of July

• Maryland

  • One of several free fishing days. Allows for tidal and non tidal fishing without a license.

• North Carolina

  • A fishing license is not required in any public waters, including coastal and fresh waters.

• South Carolina

  • South Carolina offers a license-free fishing day on July 4, but this applies to freshwater fishing only.

• Mississippi

  • In Mississippi, July 4 is designated as Free Saltwater Sport Fishing Day. Freshwater fishing still requires needed licenses.

Father's Day

• Connecticut

  • Connecticut designates June 15, 2025, as one of its Free Fishing Days, allowing residents and visitors to fish without a license. (Anglers must still acquire a license from the state's online licensing system, but with no cost. The free 1-day license is available starting 3 weeks prior to Father's Day

• Illinois

  • June 13 -16, 2025, licenses and stamps are not required.

• Montana

  • June 14–15, 2025

• Nevada

  • June 14, 2025.

• Ohio

  • June 14–15, 2025

Free Fishing Days by State – 2025

• Alabama June 7, 2025

• Alaska Residents under 18, over 60, and disabled veterans fish for free year-round. Other residents require a license.

• Arizona June 7, 2025

• Arkansas June 6–8, 2025

• California July 5 and August 30, 2025

• Colorado June 7–8, 2025

• Connecticut May 10, June 15, August 9, 2025

• Washington, D.C. June 1–8, 2025

• Delaware June 7–8, 2025

• Florida First consecutive Saturday–Sunday in June, First Saturday in September, Saturday after Thanksgiving

• Georgia June 1 and June 8, 2025

• Hawaii 365 days a year (marine only)

• Idaho June 14, 2025

• Illinois June 13–16, 2025

• Indiana May 4, June 7–8, and September 27, 2025

• Iowa June 6–8, 2025

• Kansas June 7–8, 2025

• Kentucky September 27–28, 2025

• Louisiana June 7–8, 2025

• Maine February 15–16 and May 31–June 1, 2025

• Maryland June 7, June 14, and July 4, 2025

• Massachusetts June 7–8, 2025

• Michigan February 15–16 and June 7–8, 2025

• Minnesota Residents can fish license-free in most state parks year-round

• Mississippi June 7–8, 2025

• Missouri June 7–8, 2025

• Montana May 10–11 and June 7–8, 2025

• Nebraska May 17, 2025

• Nevada June 14, 2025

• New Hampshire January 19 and June 7, 2025

• New Jersey June 7 and October 18, 2025

• New Mexico September 27–28, 2025

• New York February 15–16, June 28–29, September 27, November 11, 2025

• North Carolina July 4 (Independence Day)

• North Dakota June 7–8 and December 27–28, 2025

• Ohio June 14–15, 2025

• Oklahoma June 7–8, 2025 (Free paddlefish permit still required)

• Oregon June 7–8, 2025

• Pennsylvania May 25 and June 4, 2025

• Rhode Island May 3–4, 2025

• South Carolina May 27 (Memorial Day) and July 4, 2025 (freshwater only)

• South Dakota May 16–18, 2025

• Tennessee June 7, 2025

• Texas June 7, 2025

• Utah June 7, 2025

• Vermont January 25, 2025 and TBA in June 2025

• Virginia June 6–8, 2025

• Washington June 7–8, 2025 ("Free Fishing Weekend")

• West Virginia June 7–8, 2025

• Wisconsin January 18–19, 2025

• Wyoming First Saturday in June – June 7, 2025

And of course let Fishbrian help you make the most of these free fishing experiences! Now let's go fishing, for free!

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