Free Fishing Day 2010 - In The United States

(Note from editor - article rev A - added Ohio Dates)

Enjoy free fishing days nationwide. Enjoy free fishing without having to purchase a license. Many states use the first weekend in June. Also, look into National Hunting and Fishing Day in late September. Be sure to check your specific state's regulations for details and further information.


Some states still require special stamps to fish for trout, salmon, etc. on free fishing days or restrict free fishing to freshwater or saltwater. Other states allow free fishing year-round to disabled veterans, senior citizens, children, etc. This is a great way to introduce a husband, wife, child, friend to fishing.

ALABAMA - 6/12/10

ALASKA - 5/21/10 (for Iraq, Afghanistan & Desert Storm veterans)

ARIZONA - 6/5/10, 6/12/10

ARKANSAS - 6/11-13/10

CALIFORNIA - 7/4/10, 9/6/10

COLORADO - unknown

CONNECTICUT - unknown

DELAWARE - unknown

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DC - first week of June

FLORIDA - unknown

GEORGIA GA (Georgia residents only) -6/5/10,

6/12/10, 9/25/10

HAWAII - free saltwater fishing year-round

IDAHO - 6/12/10

ILLINOIS - 6/11-14/10 (includes free Lake Michigan, inland trout stamp and salmon stamp fishing)

INDIANA - 6/5-6/10

IOWA - 6/4-6/10 (residents only)

KANSAS - unknown

KENTUCKY - 6/5-6/10

LOUISIANA - unknown

MAINE - 2/13-14/10, 6/5-6/10

MARYLAND - (also free fishing in Chesapeake Bay tidal areas) - 6/5/10, 6/12/10, 7/4/10

MASSACHUSETTS - Approved, awaiting dates

MICHIGAN - 2/13-14/10, 6/12-13/10

MINNESOTA - 2/13-14/10 (residents only with child under 16) 6/11-13/10 (residents only with child under 16)

MISSISSIPPI - 7/4/10

MISSOURI (includes free daily trout tag/permit) - 6/6-7/10

MONTANA - unknown

NEBRASKA - 5/22/10

NEVADA - unknown

NEW HAMPSHIRE - unknown

NEW JERSEY - (includes trout stamp) - 6/5-6/10

NEW MEXICO - 6/5/10, 9/25/10

NEW YORK - 6/26-27/10

NORTH CAROLINA (includes trout) - 7/4/10

NORTH DAKOTA - 6/5-6/10

OHIO - 5/1/10, 5/2/10

OKLAHOMA - 6/5-6/10

OREGON - 6/12-13/10

PENNSYLVANIA - 5/22/10, 6/6/10

PUERTO RICO - unknown

RHODE ISLAND - 5/8-9/10

SOUTH CAROLINA - 6/12-13/10 (residents only)

SOUTH DAKOTA - 5/21-23/10

TENNESSEE - 6/12/10

TEXAS - 6/5/10 free fishing in state parks year-round

UTAH - 6/12/10

VERMONT - 6/12/10

VIRGIN ISLANDS - unknown

VIRGINIA - 6/4-6/10 (residents only)

WASHINGTON - 6/5-6/10

WEST VIRGINIA - 6/12-13/10

WISCONSIN - 6/5-6/10

WYOMING - 6/5/10

(If your state's free fishing dates are not listed, check with your local DNR office for more information)