Grab your poles and reels on Feb. 17 and 18 for New York’s second Free Fishing Weekend of the year! The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has waived the requirement for a freshwater fishing license to encourage people to try fishing for the first time or get back into the sport. All other fishing regulations do still apply so make sure to review those before you head out.

So how can you take advantage of this great opportunity? Firstly you’ll need to decide where you want to go fishing. Local parks, ponds, streams and rivers are great places to start and the DEC’s website has plenty of information on public fishing areas. You’ll also need to decide what equipment you’ll need. The DEC offers a beginners guide to rigging up your fishing rod which can help you get started.

Finally, it’s time to cast your line! Don’t forget that all other fishing regulations including species and size limits, fishing hours and catch and release requirements still apply. For more information on fishing regulations visit the DEC website.

The next Free Fishing Weekend will take place in November.

Did you know?

Free Fishing Days are spread out throughout the year to give anglers a chance to enjoy freshwater fishing in various climates.
DEC offers a host of resources for those interested in getting started in fishing, including a Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing, a video series on DEC's YouTube channel, and Places to Fish webpages.
DEC's official app, HuntFishNY, now features “The Tackle Box,” which provides fishing regulations, boating access and stocking information within a map-based interface.
In addition to Free Fishing Days, there are also “learn to fish” opportunities available through DEC-approved free fishing clinics.
DEC recently revamped its Angler Achievement Awards Program which recognizes anglers who catch notable-size fish, including state records. The new and improved program broadens the list of eligible fish species an angler can enter for an award and now features a Youth Angler Category and an online entry form where qualifying catches can be submitted right from the convenience of a smart phone.