National Fishing and Boating Week and Free Fishing Days

Mon, Jun 02, 2014 at 12:00AM

Summer’s here—and so is National Fishing and Boating Week! The annual event, which will take place from June 1 to June 8, celebrates the fun and stress relief that comes with a daylong fishing trip.

Are you a little rusty when it comes to fishing on the open water? Don’t worry! More than 90% of Americans live within an hour of a navigable body of water—practice and a relaxing day in the sun is just that far away.

To get started, take part in one of your state’s free fishing days! On these days (many of which are this week), anglers can fish in public bodies of water without having to have a fishing license first. Even if you already have a license, it’s a great opportunity to take out a friend for a fishing trip and show them the ropes.

Find your state’s days on the list from takemefishing.org below:

Free Fishing Days
Alabama	6/7/14
Arkansas	Noon on 6/6/14 until midnight on 6/8/14
Arizona	6/7/14
California	7/5/14 and 9/6/14
Colorado	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Connecticut	5/10/14
District of Columbia	6/1/14 - 6/8/14
Delaware	6/7/14 and 6/8/14
Florida	4/5/14 - 4/6/14; 6/14/14 - 6/15/14 (freshwater); 6/7/14 - 6/8/14 , 9/6/14, 11/29/14 (saltwater)
Georgia	6/7/14, 6/14/14 and 9/27/14
Hawaii	365 days a year (marine)
Iowa	6/6/14 - 6/8/14, Iowa residents only
Idaho	6/14/14
Illinois	6/6/14 - 6/9/14
Indiana	4/19/14, 5/17/14, 6/7/14 - 6/8/14, Indiana residents only
Kansas	6/7/14 and 6/8/14
Kentucky	6/7/14 and 6/8/14
Louisiana	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Maine	2/15/14 and 2/16/14; 5/31/14 and 6/1/14
Maryland	6/7/14, 6/14/14 and 7/4/14
Massachusetts	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Michigan	2/15/14 and 2/16/14; 6/7/14 and 6/8/14
Minnesota	1/18/14 - 1/20/14 and 6/6/14 - 6/9/14
Missouri	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Mississippi	6/7/14 - 6/8/14; 7/4/14
Montana	6/14/14 - 6/15/14
North Carolina	7/4/14
North Dakota	6/7/146/7/14 - 6/8/14, North Dakota residents only
Nebraska	5/17/14
New Hampshire	6/7/14
New Jersey	6/14/14 and 6/15/14
New Mexico	6/7/14
New York	6/28/14 and 6/29/14
Nevada	6/14/14
Ohio	5/3/14 - 5/4/14
Oklahoma	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Oregon	6/7/14 and 6/8/14
Pennsylvania	5/26/14 and 7/4/14
Rhode Island	5/3/14 and 5/4/14
South Carolina	5/26/14 and 7/4/14
South Dakota	5/16/14 - 5/18/14
Tennessee	6/7/14
Texas	6/7/14; free fishing every day in State Parks
Utah	6/7/14
Virginia	6/6/14 - 6/8/14
Vermont	6/14/14
Washington	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Wisconsin	1/18/14 - 1/19/14 and 6/7/14 - 6/8/14
West Virginia	6/7/14 - 6/8/14
Wyoming	6/7/14