Free Fishing Days

Feeling the pull of the great outdoors? This weekend, local waters are open for free fishing—a perfect chance to bond with family or try something new.

Free Fishing Days are back in New York for 2025. Governor Hochul announced that this popular annual tradition will continue, giving anglers across the Empire State the chance to fish without a license on select days throughout the year.

Ready to hit your favorite freshwater fishing holes in the new year? You will have several opportunities to do so without a license in 2024.

New York State has some of the greatest varieties of fishing opportunities in the country. From world class fly fishing for trout to floating a worm off of a lake dock for crappie, the Empire State has plenty of cool places to drop-a-line! The Department of Environmental Conservation announced "Free Fishing Days" for 2023. The free days are sure to provide the awesome experience of being a New York State angler.