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DEC Announces Free Fishing Day on Saturday, September
26 in New York State
Published: September 22, 2026
at 06:30 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Announces Free Fishing Day on Saturday, September
26 in New York State
Anglers Encouraged to Take Advantage of Fall Fishing
Opportunities
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton
today announced a statewide Free Fishing Day on Saturday, September 26.
During any of the six designated Free Fishing Days, the fishing license requirement is
waived for fishing on New York’s fresh waters.
“Fishing in New
York is better than ever,” said Commissioner Lefton. “Whether
it’s chasing salmon on a Great Lakes tributary, pursuing bass on a scenic
lake, or casting a line in a local stream, there’s something here for
everyone. I encourage anglers to take advantage of New York’s Free Fishing
Days and introduce someone new to the sport.”
This Free Fishing
Day coincides with National Hunting and
Fishing Day, which was designated by Congress in 1972 to
encourage people to experience, understand, and appreciate traditional
outdoor sports and recreation and our abundant natural resources, and to
recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife
conservation.
DEC and its
partners also hold free “learn to fish” clinics throughout the year. In
addition to learning about local fishing opportunities, participants are
taught about fish identification, how to cast a fishing rod, fishing
safety, aquatic resource stewardship, and fishing regulations. A full list
of programs can be found on DEC’s website. Check the list regularly as new events
are added throughout the year.
DEC also offers a
host of online resources for those interested in getting started in
fishing. The I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing provides
information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod, to identifying
your catch, and understanding fishing regulations. There’s also a video series on DEC’s
YouTube channel that complements the Beginners’ Guide. If you’re
looking for a spot to fish during a Free Fishing Weekend, check out some
publicly accessible locations on DEC’s Places to Fish site. You can also use
the DECinfo Locator Map or Tackle Box feature
in the HuntFishNY mobile app to find a fishing
spot near you, along with information on parking, boat launches, and more.
Anglers can also access their sporting license information, which serves as
valid proof of possessing a fishing license.
The final Free
Fishing Day for 2026 will take place on November 11 (Veterans Day).
On Free Fishing Days, New York residents and non-residents
may fish for free without a fishing license. 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.
When not participating in Free Fishing Days, anyone 16 years of age and
older must have a current New York State fishing license to fish. 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.
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