FREE Fishing Days for 2026!

Free Fishing Days for 2026

Until my son decided he wanted to take up fishing several years ago, I had no idea you had to purchase a fishing license to fish in your state. However, every year, a bunch of states offer FREE Fishing Days throughout the year where you can enjoy fishing for a day without a fishing license!

Here is the list of 2026 free fishing days by state:

Alabama 

• June 13, 2026

Arizona 

• June 6, 2026

Arkansas 

• June 5 – 7, 2026

California 

• July 4, 2026 & September 5, 2026

Colorado

• June 6 – 7, 2026

Connecticut

• May 9, 2026 

Delaware 

• June 6-7, 2026

Florida 

• April 4-5, 2026 (Freshwater), June 6-7, 2026 (Saltwater)

Georgia

• June 6 – 13, 2026

Idaho

• June 13, 2026 

Illinois

• June 19-22, 2026

Indiana

• May 10, 2026; June 6 – 7, 2026; Sept. 26, 2026

Iowa

• June 5 – 7, 2026

Kansas

• June 6 – 7, 2026

Kentucky

• June 6 – 7, 2026

Louisiana 

• June 6-7, 2026

Maine 

• February 14-15, 2026 (Ice Fishing), May 30-31, 2026 (Open Water)

Maryland

• June 6, 2026, June 13, 2026, and July 4, 2026.

Massachusetts 

• June 6-7, 2026

Michigan

• February 14 – 15, 2026

• June 13 – 14, 2026 

Minnesota

• January 17 – 19, 2026 (take a kid ice fishing); May 10 – 11, 2026 (take a Mom fishing); June 5 – 7, 2026 (take a kid fishing)

Mississippi 

• June 6-7, 2026 & Juny 4. 2026

Missouri 

• June 6 – 7, 2026

Montana 

• May 9-10, 2026 & June 20-21, 2026

Nebraska

• June 16, 2026

Nevada

• June 13, 2026

New Hampshire

• January 17, 2026 
• June 6, 2026

New Jersey 

• June 5, 2026 & September 26, 2026

New Mexico 

• June 6-7, 2026 & September 26-27, 2026

New York

• February 14 – 15, 2026
• June 27 – 28, 2026
• September 26, 2026
• November 11, 2026 

North Carolina 

• July 4, 2026

North Dakota

• June 6-7, 2026 & December 26-27, 2026

Ohio 

• June 20 – 21, 2026

Oklahoma 

• June 6-7, 2026

Oregon

• February 14 – 15, 2026
• June 6 – 7, 2026 

Pennsylvania

• May 24, 2026
• July 4, 2026

Rhode Island

• May 2-3, 2026

South Carolina

• May 25, 2026 & July 4, 2026 

South Dakota 

• May 15-17, 2026

Tennessee

• June 6, 2026

Texas

• June 6, 2026 

Utah

• June 6, 2026

Vermont 

• January 31, 2026 (Winter/Ice Fishing), June 13, 2026 (Summer

Virginia

• June 5 – 7, 2026

Washington

• June 6 – 7, 2026

West Virginia

• June 6 – 7, 2026

Wisconsin

• January 17-18, 2026 & June 6-7, 2026 

Wyoming 

• June 6, 2026

While fishing licenses are pretty reasonable ($5-$20 depending on where you live), this is a great way to try it out for free before purchasing a license.

**Note that the individual states may place certain restrictions and other regulations may apply, so be sure to contact your state fish and wildlife agency for specific state regulations.