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If the chilly winter has you dreaming of warm days spent casting a fishing line lakeside or in a boat on the open water, you may want to start putting some summertime adventures on the calendar now. And it might be fun to plan around your state’s free fishing day, which is when you’ll be able to fish for free on public properties without a license.
Free fishing days and weekends happen every year around the country on different dates, depending on the state in which you live. The days of free fishing often coincide with National Fishing and Boating Week, which lands on June 1-9 in 2024. While most states offer free fishing days during those specific dates, some offer them outside of that week or year-round.
Some states even offer multiple free fishing weekends throughout the year. If you’re a cold-weather fan, a few states offer free fishing days in the winter so you can try your luck at ice fishing.
Take a look at the 2024 free fishing dates for each state below. Some states haven’t yet posted their free fishing dates online, so be sure to check back later if you don’t see dates listed next to your state.
You’ll also want to click on your state for more information, as some states require you to apply for a free one-day license prior to the free fishing weekend. Also, other rules, such as where you can fish (in freshwater vs. saltwater, for example), which bait you can use and what you can take home, will still apply.
Alabama: TBA
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 1
Arkansas: June 7-9
California: July 6 and Aug. 31
Colorado: June 1-2
Connecticut: May 11
Washington, D.C.: TBA
Delaware: TBA
Florida: April 6-7 and June 8-9 (freshwater); June 1-2, Sept. 7 and Nov. 30 (saltwater)
Georgia: June 1, June 8 and Sept. 28
Hawaii: Free year-round (marine)
Idaho: June 8
Illinois: June 14-17
Indiana: May 12, June 1-2, and Sept. 28
Iowa: June 7-9
Kansas: June 1-2
Kentucky: TBA
Louisiana: June 8-9
Maine: Feb. 17-18 and June 1-2
Maryland: June 1, June 8 and July 4
Massachusetts: June 1-2
Michigan: Feb. 17-18 and June 8-9
Minnesota: Residents can fish without a fishing license in most state parks year-round
Mississippi: June 1-2
Missouri: June 8-9
Montana: June 15-16 (Father’s Day weekend every year)
Nebraska: TBA
Nevada: June 8
New Hampshire: June 1
New Jersey: June 1 and Oct. 19
New Mexico: TBA
New York: Feb. 17-18, June 29-30, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11, 2024
North Carolina: July 4 (same day every year)
North Dakota: TBA
Ohio: June 15-16
Oklahoma: June 1-2 (a free paddlefish permit is still required)
Oregon: Feb. 17-18, June 1-2 and Nov. 29-30
Pennsylvania: May 26 and July 4
Rhode Island: TBA
South Carolina: May 27 and July 4 (freshwater only)
South Dakota: May 17-19
Tennessee: June 8-16
Texas: June 1
Utah: June 8
Vermont: TBA
Virginia: June 7-9
Washington: June 8-9 (applicable for catching certain species)
West Virginia: TBA
Wisconsin: June 1-2
Wyoming: June 1
Not sure where to go fishing? You can search for the perfect spot on Take Me Fishing’s website, where you can search near you or find popular spots around the country. And before you head out, make sure you have the proper equipment, such as the best fishing weights and the best fishing float.
If you miss the Free Fishing Day date where you live, some states also offer free fishing on National Fishing Day on June 18, on Independence Day on July 4, and National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 24.
Once you’ve taken advantage of these free days, you may decide you’ve got a new hobby. If that’s the case, you can purchase an annual license for your state online.
Happy fishing!
This story originally appeared on Don't Waste Your Money.
