Free Fishing Days 2021
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, thank you for your purchase and for doing your part to support the efforts of your state fish and wildlife agency to make great fishing for current and future generations. Please also consider taking a friend or family member who has never been fishing, out on the water for the day.
Find out what you need to get out on the water. Learn how to fish, find places to fish and boat using our interactive map, get a fishing license or register your boat.
Second Saturday in June. June 12th
Youth anglers -15 and people 61+ fish for free year round.
First Saturday in June. June 5th
Second Full weekend in June. June 11-13th
First Saturday in July. July 3th, September 4th
First weekend of June. June 5-6th
Free Fishing Day May 8th, Free 1 day license, June 20th, August 14th
May 31 - June 6
First weekend of June. June 5-6th
First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April (freshwater) April 3-4
Second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June (freshwater) June 12-13
First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June (saltwater) June 5-6
First Saturday in September (saltwater) Sept 4th
Saturday following Thanksgiving (saltwater) Nov 27th
June 5th
June 12th
National Hunting and Fishing Day September 25th
365 days a year (marine) 365 days a year
Second Saturday every June. June 12th
Father's Day weekend in June. June 18-21st
First Sunday in May. May 2nd
First weekend in June. June 5-6
National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept 25th
First Friday, Saturday and Sunday that land in June. June 4-6th
First weekend in June. June 5-6th
First full weekend in June. June 5-6th
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 12-13th
Presidents Day Weekend, Feb 13-14th
First Weekend in June. June 5-6th
First two Saturdays in June. June 5th and 12th
4th of July
FIND PLACES TO BOAT AND FISH - VIEW MAP
First Saturday & Sunday in June (Freshwater). June 5-6th
Fathers Day weekend June (Saltwater) June 19-20th
Feb 13-14th
June 12-13th
Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (Minnesota resident moms fish free) May 8-9th
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16) June 11-13th
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend (MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16) Jan. 15-17th 2022
On June 5 and 6, 2021, during National Fishing and Boating Week, a sport fishing license is not required for Mississippi residents for all public waters, and fishing permits for all anglers at State Lakes and State Park Lakes are free!
Mississippi residents can fish without a fishing license on July 4th in all waters of the state. State Fishing Lake and State Park Permits are required to fish in State Fishing Lakes and State Park Lakes on July 4.
Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June 12-13
Father's Day weekend June 19-20th
Free Fishing Day May 22nd
Second Saturday in June. Jun 12th
Third Saturday in January. Jan 16th
First Saturday in June. June 5th
June 5th
October 23rd
First Saturday in June, June 5th
Last Saturday in September, Sept 25th
February 13-14th
June 26-27th
September 25th
November 11th
Independence Day July 4th
First weekend in June. June 5-6th
Last weekend in Dec Dec 25-26th
Father's Day Weekend June 19-20th
First Weekend in June. June 5-6th
President’s Day Weekend Feb 13-14th
First Weekend in June, June 5-6th
Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov 26-27th
Sunday before Memorial Day May 30th
Independence Day July 4th
First Weekend in May. (Freshwater Fishing only) May 1-2nd
Memorial Day, May 31st
Independence Day, July 4th
FIND PLACES TO BOAT AND FISH - VIEW MAP
May 9th
May 21-23rd
June 20th
Saturday of the first full week in June. June 12th
First Saturday in June. June 5th
June 12th
Fourth Saturday in January. Jan 30th
Second Saturday in June. June 12nd
First full weekend in June. June 4-6th
First weekend after the first Monday in June. June 5-6th
June 13th
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 12-13th
Winter Free Fishing weekend - Third weekend in January, Jan 16-17th
Summer Free Fishing weekend - First Saturday and Sunday in June, June 5-6th
First Saturday in June. June 5th
During National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW), all states (and Washington, DC) offer free fishing days. These are days – some states even offer free fishing weekends – where anglers can go fishing without a license on public bodies of water. Free Fishing Days activities vary by state. For free fishing day Texas, the state releases hundreds of catfish to help beginners catch a bite. Free fishing day California is known for the many varieties of fish made available. Check out the Free Fishing Days 2021 activities in your state to see how your state celebrates this fun-for-all-ages event.
NFBW is a national celebration of fishing and boating, an event that highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing our quality of life and preserving our country's natural beauty. This year the event will take place on June 5–13, 2021. Learn more about National Fishing and Boating Week.
KEEP LEARNING
BEST TIMES TO FISH
Learn the best fishing times, bait to use according to the season, time of day, and more.
HOW TO SET THE DRAG
Learn how to set the drag with these simple instructions and fishing tips here.
HOW TO SET THE HOOK
Learn how to catch more fish by properly setting the hook in two simple steps.
FIND PLACES TO BOAT AND FISH
KNOW YOUR FISH
The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use.