National Fishing and Boating Week 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.
Did you know that in order to fish, you must have a license or you will be fined? Well with Free Fishing Day Guide, they’re letting people fish for free or without a license from multiple different dates in June and other months depending on the state.
This is only available in specific states so be sure to check out if your area is valid.
Fishing is a great fun time to try out something new if it’s your first time. Gather your friends and family and create a fishing gathering. Big thanks to Takemefishing.org for creating this helpful guide for a fun week ahead of us!
State’s Free Fishing Days 2021
| State | Dates |
| Alabama | Second Saturday in June. June 12 |
| Arizona | First Saturday in June. June 5 |
| Arkansas | Second Full Weekend in June. June 11-13 |
| California | First Saturday in July. July 3th, September 4th |
| Colorado | First weekend of June. June 5-6 |
| Connecticut | Free Fishing Day May 8th, Free 1 day license, June 201st, August 14th |
| DC | TBD |
| Delaware | First weekend of June. June 5-6 |
| Florida | 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 |
| Georgia | June 5th June 12th National Hunting and Fishing Day September 25th |
| Hawaii | 365 Days a year (marine) |
| Idaho | Second Saturday every June. June 12th |
| Illinois | Father’s Day weekend in June. June 18-21st |
| Indiana | First Sunday in May. May 2nd First weekend in June. June 5-6 National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept 25th |
| Iowa | First Friday, Saturday and Sunday that land in June. June 4-6th |
| Kansas | First weekend in June. June 5-6th |
| Kentucky | First full weekend in June. June 5-6th |
| Louisiana | Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 12-13th |
| Maine | Presidents Day Weekend, Feb 13-14th First Weekend in June. June 5-6th |
| Maryland | First two Saturdays in June. June 5th and 12th 4th of July |
| Massachusetts | First Saturday & Sunday in June (Freshwater). June 5-6th Fathers Day weekend June (Saltwater) June 19-20th |
| Michigan | Feb 13-14th June 12-13th |
| Minnesota | 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 |
| Mississippi | 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. |
| Missouri | Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June 12-13 |
| Montana | Father’s Day weekend June 19-20th |
| Nebraska | Free Fishing Day May 22nd |
| Nevada | Second Saturday in June. Jun 12th |
| New Hampshire | Third Saturday in January. Jan 16th First Saturday in June. June 5th |
| New Jersey | June 5th October 23rd |
| New Mexico | First Saturday in June, June 5th Last Saturday in September, Sept 25th |
| New York | February 13-14th June 26-27th September 25th November 11th |
| North Carolina | Independence Day July 4th |
| North Dakota | First weekend in June. June 5-6th Last weekend in Dec Dec 25-26th |
| Ohio | Father’s Day Weekend June 19-20th |
| Oklahoma | First Weekend in June. June 5-6th |
| Oregon | President’s Day Weekend Feb 13-14th First Weekend in June, June 5-6th Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov 26-27th |
| Pennsylvania | Sunday before Memorial Day May 30th Independence Day July 4th |
| Rhode Island | First Weekend in May. (Freshwater Fishing only) May 1-2nd |
| South Carolina | Memorial Day, May 31st Independence Day, July 4th |
| South Dakota | May 9th May 21-23rd June 20th |
| Tennessee | Saturday of the first full week in June. June 12th |
| Texas | First Saturday in June. June 5th |
| Utah | June 12th |
| Vermont | Fourth Saturday in January. Jan 30th Second Saturday in June. June 12nd |
| Virginia | First full weekend in June. June 4-6th |
| Washington | First weekend after the first Monday in June. June 5-6th June 13th |
| West Virginia | Second Saturday and Sunday in June. June 12-13th |
| Wisconsin | Winter Free Fishing weekend – Third weekend in January, Jan 16-17th Summer Free Fishing weekend – First Saturday and Sunday in June, June 5-6th |
| Wyoming | First Saturday in June. June 5th |
* Find places to fish and boat by using this Interactive Map.
Why You Should Participate
Fishing and boating are a good, stress-relieving activities that you can enjoy with your family and friends anytime! Make sure to check out the Free Fishing Days 2021 activities in your state to see how your state celebrates this fun-for-all-ages event!
- Connect with your Family: Family fishing is a great way for family members of all ages to connect and have fun.
- De-stress: Boating is ranked as one of the top 3 of all stress-relieving activities.
- Help Conserve: The funds from your fishing licenses and boat registrations go towards the conservation of our natural aquatic areas.
(Visit the link above to learn more about Free Fishing Days in your state)
 |
 |
Bottom Line
If you didn’t know, National Fishing and Boating Week is happening soon and we have a special guide for you. National fishing and boating week is a celebration of fishing and boating, an event that only comes once a year. Check out the Free Fishing Day Guide that contains a handy list of states that are available to participate.
You can now fish for free without a license! This is only valid mainly for days in June and potentially other months if it is eligible for valid states! If you like freebies check out our lists of Birthday Freebies and Free Gym Passes, here on HMB.
Leave a Reply