REMINDER: New York to observe ‘Free Fishing’ weekend June 29 and 30 statewide

New York State will soon observe its next pair of free fishing days statewide.

For the upcoming weekend of June 29 and 30, the requirement for eligible anglers to have a fishing license (ages 16 and older) will be waived for freshwater fishing.

In other words, you won’t need a license to fish this Saturday and Sunday.

The goal of these annual free fishing days, according to the DEC, is to help expose the sport and invite those who may not have much experience to try it out.

“The Free Fishing Days program provides a great opportunity for aspiring anglers to try freshwater fishing for the first time or former anglers to reconnect with one of America’s favorite pastimes,” Governor Hochul said.

Although the license requirements are waived during free fishing days, all other New York State freshwater regulations still apply.

Outside any free fishing day(s), all anglers over the age of 16 must possess a valid fishing license in New York State.

NYS DEC image.