Free fishing days by state

Every date below is published by the state's own fish and wildlife agency. On a free fishing day no fishing license is required in that state — but every other rule, including seasons, size and bag limits and any stamp a state still requires, applies as usual. States are listed with the next upcoming day first; dates that have passed are marked, because most agencies announce the next year's dates only a few months ahead.

Our records hold no published free fishing day for Alaska, Hawaii, and South Carolina. That reflects what those agencies publish, not a gap we skipped.

States whose records we have not fully verified are not listed here — see all statesfor coverage status, and each state's page for its sources. Reviewed July 30, 2026.