FREE BUDGET
WORKSHEET!

Name

Email

sign up

If you're looking for a frugal activity for yourself or your kiddos, check out these Free Fishing Days for 2025 – we've got them listed out!

Free Fishing Day for 2025

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 in the Spring and early Summer where you can enjoy fishing for a day without a fishing license!

Take a peek at the schedule below and be sure to mark your calendars!

Here are the list of free fishing days by states and dates –

• Alabama – June 7, 2025
• Alaska – Residents under 18 and over 60 as well as disabled veterans fish for free year-round; other residents are required to have a fishing 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, and August 9, 2025
• DC – June 1-8, 2025
• Delaware – June 7-8, 2025
• Florida – First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June, First Saturday in September, Saturday following Thanksgiving
• Georgia – June 1, June 8, 2025
• Hawaii – 365 days a year (marine)
• Idaho – June 14, 2025
• Illinois – June 13-16, 2025
• Indiana – May 4, June 7-8, and Sept. 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, 2025 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 without a fishing license in most state parks year-round
• Mississippi – June 7-8, 2025
• Missouri – June 7-8, 2025
• Montana – June 7-8 and May 10-11, 2025
• Nebraska – May 24, 2025
• Nevada – June 14, 2025
• New Hampshire – Saturday, January 19, 2025 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
• New Jersey – June 7 and October 18, 2025
• New Mexico – September 27th – 28th
• New York – February 15-16, 2025 (President's Day Weekend), June 28-29, 2025, September 27, 2025 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11, 2025 (Veterans Day)
• North Carolina – July 4 Independence Day
• North Dakota – June 7-8, 2025 and December 27-28, 2025
• Ohio – June 14-15, 2025
• Oklahoma – June 7-8, 2025 (a free paddlefish permit is still required)
• Oregon – June 7-8, 2025
• Pennsylvania – May 25, June 4, 2025
• Rhode Island – May 3-4, 2025
• South Carolina – Memorial Day, May 27, 2025 & 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 – “Free Fishing Weekend” is June 7-8, 2025
• West Virginia – June 7-8, 2025
• Wisconsin – January 18-19, 2025
• Wyoming – First Saturday in June. June 7, 2025

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.

Head on over HERE to find which dates are offered for free in your state!

**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.