Happy 4th of July - Free Fishing Day?!
On this day in 1776, the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2.
Today, July 4 is considered one of the ten federal holiday's that are issued every year. This holiday's celebration has grown to even be a free fishing day for many states. All states have a free fishing day every year, but only five of them choose 4th of July as their free fishing day. "Free Fishing Day" refers to days that anglers can go fishing on public bodies of water without a license. See your state's free fishing day below!
The 4th of July free fishing days apply to the following states: Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
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Please note that the individual states may place certain restrictions and other regulations may apply, so be sure to contact your state fish and wildlife agency for specific state regulations. |
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Alabama |
Second Saturday in June. June 9, 2018 |
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Arkansas |
Second full weeked in June. June 8-10, 2018 |
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Arizona |
First Saturday in June. June 2, 2018 |
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California |
First Saturday in July and September 1, 2018 |
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Colorado |
First full weekend of June. June 2-3, 2018 |
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Connecticut |
Saturday, May 12. CT offers 2 free fishing license days Sunday June 12 and Saturday Aug 11 (must get the free one day license) |
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DC |
First full week of June. From Saturday, June 2 to Sunday, June 10. |
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Delaware |
First full weekend of June. June 2-3, 2018 |
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Florida |
First Saturday and Sunday in April (freshwater) |
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Georgia |
June 2, June 9, September 22 |
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Hawaii |
365 days a year (marine) |
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Iowa |
First full weekend of June. June 1-3, 2018 |
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Idaho |
Second Saturday every June. June 9, 2018. |
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Illinois |
Father's Day weekend in June. June 16-17, 2018. |
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Indiana |
April 21, May 19, June 2-3, 2018. |
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Kansas |
First full weekend in June. June 2-3, 2018 |
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Kentucky |
First full weekend in June. June 2-3, 2018 |
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Louisiana |
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. |
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Maine |
Feb 17 and 18. And first Saturday and Sunday in June. |
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Maryland |
June 2, June 9, July 4 Independence Day |
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Massachusetts |
First Saturday and Sunday in June. June 2 & 3, 2018 (Freshwater Fishing). Fathers Day weekend June 16-17 (Saltwater fishing) |
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Michigan |
Feb 17-18, June 9-10, 2018 |
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Minnesota |
May 12-13 MN residents moms fish free. June 8-10 MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16. Jan 19-21, 2019 MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16. |
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Missouri |
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. |
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Mississippi |
June 2-3. July 4 Independence Day. |
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Montana |
Father's Day weekend. |
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North Carolina |
July 4 Independence Day |
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North Dakota |
First weekend in June June 2-3. Dec 29-30 (free ice fishing days) |
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Nebraska |
Free Fishing/Free Park Entry day on Saturday, May 19, 2018. |
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New Hampshire |
Third Saturday in January. Jan 20, 2018. |
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New Jersey |
Second Saturday in June. |
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New Mexico |
First Saturday in June. Sep date TBD |
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New York |
February 17-18 2018 June 23-24, 2018 September 22, 2018 November 11, 2018 |
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Nevada |
Second Saturday in June. |
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Ohio |
First Saturday and Sunday in May. |
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Oklahoma |
First Weekend in June. |
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Oregon |
Feb 17-18, June 2-3, Sept 1-2, Nov 23-24 |
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Pennsylvania |
May 27, July 4 Independence Day |
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Rhode Island |
First Weekend in May (Freshwater Fishing only) |
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South Carolina |
Memorial Day. May 28, 2018. |
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South Dakota |
Typically the third weekend in May. May 18-20, 2018 |
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Tennessee |
Second Saturday in June. |
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Texas |
First Saturday in June. |
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Utah |
Second Saturday in June. |
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Virginia |
First full weekend in June. June 1-3, 2018 |
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Vermont |
Fourth Saturday in January and Second Saturday in June. |
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Washington |
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. |
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Wisconsin |
Summer Free Fishing weekend. First Saturday and Sunday in June. June 2-3, 2018. Winter Free Fishing weekend. Third weekend in Jan. Jan 19-20, 2019. |
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West Virginia |
Second Saturday and Sunday in June. |
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Wyoming |
First Saturday in June. |