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National Fishing and Boating Week -- June 4-12, 2022 -- During National Fishing and Boating Week, most states offer free fishing days. These are days where anglers are allowed to fish on public bodies of water without a fishing license. 


Alabama -- Second Saturday in June - June 11, 2022

Arizona --  First Saturday in June. June 4, 2022 -  Part of National Fishing and Boating Week.  Kids younger than 10 can fish for free all year long in Arizona.

Arkansas -- Second Full weekend in June - June 10-12, 2022

California -- First Saturday in July - Saturday July 2 and Saturday September 3, 2022

Colorado -- First weekend of June. June 4-5, 2022

Connecticut -- Saturday, May 12, 2022  - CT offers 2 free fishing license days Sunday June 12 and Saturday Aug 11

DC -- First full week of June - Saturday, June 4 to Sunday, June 12, 2022

Delaware -- First weekend of June. June 4-5, 2022

Florida -- First weekend in April (freshwater fishing days) April 2nd and 3rd, 2022 - Second Saturday in June -  June 11th and Sunday June 12th (freshwater) - First Saturday and Sunday in June (saltwater) June 4th and Sunday in June 5th, 2022 - First Saturday in September (saltwater) September 3rd  - Saturday following Thanksgiving (saltwater) Nov 26th, 2022

Georgia -- Georgia offers 2 free fishing days - June 4, June 11, 2022 - Then again for one day in Sept - September 24, 2022

Hawaii -- 365 days a year (marine) 365 days a year

Idaho -- Second Saturday every June - June 11, 2022

Illinois -- Father's Day weekend in June - June 18-19, 2022

Indiana -- May 1, June 4-5, and September 24, 2022

Iowa -- First weekend in June -  June 4-5, 2022

Kansas -- First weekend in June - June 4-5, 2022

Kentucky -- First full weekend in June - June 4-5, 2022

Louisiana -- Second Saturday and Sunday in June - June 11-12, 2022

Maine -- Feb 19 and 20 and June 4-5, 2022

Maryland -- June 4, June 11July 4 Independence Day, 2022

Massachusetts -- First Saturday & Sunday in June -  (Freshwater). June 4-5 -- (Saltwater) June 18-19

Michigan -- Feb 19-20, June 11-12, 2022

Minnesota -- Ice fishing – January 15-17, 2022  Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (Minnesota resident moms fish free) May 14-15, 2022 -- Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16) first weekend in June every year. June 10-12, 2022

Mississippi -- First weekend in June every year. June 4-5, 2022 "Mississippi residents can fish without a fishing license (State Fishing Lake and State Park Permits are required to fish in State Fishing Lakes and State Park Lakes on July 4.)" July 4th

Missouri -- Second Saturday and Sunday in June - June 11-12, 2022

Montana -- Father’s Day weekend every year - June 18-19, 2022 -- Mothers Day Weekend - May 7-8, 2022 

Nebraska -- Free Fishing/Free Park Entry Day -  Saturday, May 21, 2022

Nevada -- Second Saturday in June - June 11th, 2022

New Hampshire -- Third Saturday in January -  January 15, 2022 -- First Saturday in June - June 4, 2022

New Jersey --  First Saturday in June every year - June 4, 2022 and October 22, 2022

New Mexico -- First Saturday in June - June 4, 2022 -- last Saturday in September - September 25, 2022

New York -- February 19-20, June 25-26, September 24 and November 11, 2022

North Carolina -- Independence Day July 4th

North Dakota -- First weekend in June - June 4-5, 2022



These are days – some states even offer free fishing weekends – where anglers can go fishing without a license. Check out the next free fishing days in your state.

Free fishing days are a perfect opportunity for beginners to try out fishing for the first time. If you already have a fishing license, consider taking a friend or family member who has never been fishing, out on the water for the day.

This directory is a collaboration of TBC Press and Takemefishing.org

State Directory for FREE Fishing Days -- 2021