Free Fishing License Days 2025 For Every USA State (A-Z + Dates, Info, Links)

Outdoor enthusiasts across the United States can go fishing for free when many states waive fishing license requirements during annual Free Fishing License Days, allowing anglers to fish on public waters without a paying a dime.

These days offer a fantastic opportunity for both curious, novice and seasoned anglers to enjoy fishing without the usual licensing fees. Below is a list of announced Free Fishing Days for 2025 by State, along with links to the respective state wildlife department websites for more information.

Free Fishing License Days 2025

State (A-Z)	Free Fishing Dates 2025	Website
Alabama	June 7	Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alaska	June 1-8. Residents under 18 and over 60, as well as disabled veterans, fish for free year-round	Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Arizona	June 1	Arizona Game and Fish Department
Arkansas	To Be Announced	Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
California	Saturday, July 5, and Saturday, August 30	California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Colorado	To Be Announced	Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Connecticut	To Be Announced	Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Delaware	Feb 15–16, June 7–8	Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
Florida	First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June, First Saturday in September, Saturday following Thanksgiving	Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Georgia	June 1st, 7am – 9pm	Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Hawaii	Marine fishing is free year-round for some residents and other categories, check website for details.	Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources
Idaho	Idaho also has an annual Free Fishing Day on the second Saturday in June. Anyone 14 years of age or older must have a valid fishing license to fish in Idaho.	Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Illinois	The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) does not have a specific day when licenses are free, but some people are eligible for free or reduced-price licenses. Anglers under 16 years old do not need a license. Blind and disabled anglers do not need a license. Residents on active military service do not need a license	Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Indiana	To Be Announced. In Indiana, residents under 18, residents over 60, and disabled veterans can fish for free year-round. Other residents need a fishing license, but there are also Free Fishing Days. Who can fish for free: Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943  Residents and nonresidents under age 18  Residents who are legally blind  Residents of a state-owned mental rehabilitation facility	Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Iowa	June 6-8	Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Kansas	June 7-8	Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
Kentucky	September 27-28	Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Louisiana	June 7-8	Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Maine	February 15-16 and May 31 - June 1	Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Maryland	June 7, June 14, and July 4	Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Massachusetts	June 7-8	Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Michigan	February 15-16 and June 7-8	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota	Free fishing days in 2025  January 18–20: Minnesotans fished for free with children  June 3–11: National Fishing and Boating Week	Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Mississippi	June 7-8, and July 4	Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Missouri	June 7-8	Missouri Department of Conservation
Montana	In 2025, Montana will have free fishing on Father's Day and Mother's Day weekends. This means that anyone can fish without a license during these weekends: May 10-11 and June 7-8	Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Nebraska	May 24	Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nevada	June 14	Nevada Department of Wildlife
New Hampshire	Saturday, January 18, and Saturday, June 7	New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
New Jersey	June 7 and October 18	New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
New Mexico	September 27-28 (TBC)	New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
New York	February 15-16, June 28-29, September 27, and November 11	New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
North Carolina	July 4	North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
North Dakota	June 7-8 and December 27-28	North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Ohio	June 14-15	Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Oklahoma	June 7-8	Oklahoma Dept. Of Wildlife Conservation

Please note: Although these details were correct at time of publication, it is your responsibility to check with the respective State department regulations to make sure you're fishing legally wherever you are.