Want to find free summer activities? Look no further than fishing, one of the most relaxing ways to spend a hot day in the sun. While fishing rods and bait will tap into your budget, you can save some money by fishing when various states offer their free fishing days, when the typical requirement to pay for a fishing license is waived (a $25 average cost, depending on the state you live in). It’s a great chance to get people of all ages out on the water with a rod and a reel.
The following list has the free fishing days of each state in 2025, according to TakeMeFishing.org. Many states will kick things off the weekend of June 7 - 8, 2025 (although a few states have free fishing days in May or even in winter). And if you miss one of the dates, don’t worry — another one will most likely come around soon.
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Free Fishing Days by State in 2025
Alabama Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (second Saturday in June every year)
Alaska Free Fishing Days
Residents under 18, non-residents under 16 can fish free year-round
Arizona Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June every year)
Arkansas Free Fishing Days
June 6 - 8, 2025 (second full weekend in June every year)
California Free Fishing Days
July 5, 2025
Aug. 30, 2025
Colorado Free Fishing Days
June 7-8, 2025 (first weekend of June every year)
Connecticut Free Fishing Day
May 10, 2025
June 15, 2025 (free 1-day license required)
Aug. 9, 2025 (free 1-day license required)
Delaware Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend of June every year)
Florida Free Fishing Days
April 5 - 6, 2025 (freshwater fishing)
June 7 - 8, 2025 (saltwater fishing)
June 14- 15, 2025 (freshwater fishing)
Sept. 6, 2025 (saltwater fishing)
Nov. 29, 2025 (saltwater fishing)
Georgia Free Fishing Days
June 1 and 8, 2025
Sept. 27, 2025
Hawaii Free Fishing Days
Every day (365 days/year for marine fishing)
Idaho Free Fishing Days
June 14, 2025 (second Saturday of June every year)
Illinois Free Fishing Days
June 13 - 16, 2025 (Father’s Day weekend every year)
Indiana Free Fishing Days
May 4, 2025
June 7 - 8, 2025
Sept. 27, 2025
Iowa Free Fishing Days
June 6 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Kansas Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Kentucky Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Louisiana Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (second Saturday and Sunday in June every year)
Maine Free Fishing Days
May 31 - June 1, 2025
Feb. 15 - 16, 2026 (Presidents Day weekend every year)
Maryland Free Fishing Days
June 7 and 14, 2025 (first two Saturdays in June every year)
July 4, 2025 (every Fourth of July)
Massachusetts Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year, freshwater)
June 14 - 15, 2025 (Father’s Day weekend every year, saltwater)
Michigan Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025
Feb 15 - 16, 2026
Minnesota Free Fishing Days
May 10 - 11, 2025 Take a Mom Fishing Weekend
June 6 - 8, 2025 Take a Kid Fishing Weekend
Jan. 17 - 19, 2026 Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Mississippi Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
July 4, 2025 (every Fourth of July)
Missouri Free Fishing Days
April 12. 2025 (free fishing day for veterans)
June 7, 2024 (the Saturday/Sunday following the first Monday in June every year)
September 27, 2025 (free fishing day for women)
Montana Free Fishing Days
May 10 - 11, 2025 (Mother's Day weekend every year)
June 14 - 15, 2025 (Father’s Day weekend every year)
Nebraska Free Fishing Days
May 24, 2025
Nevada Free Fishing Days
June 14, 2025 (second Saturday in June every year)
New Hampshire Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June every year)
January 17, 2026 (third Saturday in January every year)
New Jersey Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June every year)
Oct. 18, 2025
New Mexico Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first Saturday in June every year)
New York Free Fishing Days
June 28 - 29, 2025
Sept. 27, 2025 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
Nov. 11, 2025 (Veterans Day)
Feb. 14 - 15, 2026 (Presidents Day weekend every year)
North Carolina Free Fishing Days
July 4, 2025 (every Fourth of July)
North Dakota Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Dec. 27 - 28, 2025 (fast weekend in December every year)
Ohio Free Fishing Days
June 14 - 15, 2025 (Father’s Day weekend every year)
Oklahoma Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Oregon Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Nov. 28 - 29, 2025 (Thanksgiving weekend every year)
Feb. 14 - 15, 2026 (Presidents Day weekend every year)
Pennsylvania Free Fishing Days
May 25, 2025 (Sunday before Memorial Day every year)
July 4, 2025 (every Fourth of July)
Rhode Island Free Fishing Days
May 3 - 4, 2025 (first weekend in May every year, freshwater only)
South Carolina Free Fishing Days
May 31, 2025 (Memorial Day every year)
July 4, 2025 (every Fourth of July)
South Dakota Free Fishing Days
May 16 - 18, 2025 (every third weekend in Ma y)
Tennessee Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 13, 2025
Texas Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June every year)
Utah Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (First Saturday in June every year)
Vermont Free Fishing Days
June 8, 2025 (second Saturday in June every year)
January 25, 2026 (last Saturday in January every year)
Virginia Free Fishing Days
June 6 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Washington Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend after the first Monday in June every year)
Washington, D.C. Free Fishing Days
June 10 - 11, 2025
West Virginia Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (second Saturday and Sunday in June every year)
Wisconsin Free Fishing Days
June 7 - 8, 2025 (first weekend in June every year)
Jan. 17 – 18, 2026 (third weekend in January every year)
Wyoming Free Fishing Days
June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June every year)
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