This weekend, June 23-24, is Free Fishing Weekend in New York State. Each year, New York offers six free fishing days. During designated free fishing days, New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license.

Additional Free Fishing Days include National Hunting and Fishing Day (Sept. 22, the fourth Saturday in September), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), and the weekend preceding Presidents Day (Feb. 16-17, 2019).

Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that, although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.

Outside of Free Fishing Days, anyone 16 years of age and older must have a current State fishing license to fish in New York. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. More information on purchasing a fishing license can be found on DEC’s website.

Photo of Fly Fishing on the Ausable River by John Warren.