New Yorkers will be able to fish the state’s freshwater lakes, rivers and streams without a license on a set of designated days in 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced February 5. The agency set six free fishing days for the year: February 14-15, June 27-28, September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).
On the free fishing days, anglers do not need to register or hold a New York freshwater fishing license, the DEC said, though all other fishing regulations — including size limits, catch limits and seasons — remain in effect. The agency frames the dates as a low-barrier way for first-time and lapsed anglers to try the activity before deciding whether to buy a license.
