Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week 2024
June 1st through June 9, 2024, marks National Fishing and Boating Week 2024, an annual celebration in recreational boating and fishing which also serves to promote awareness of conservation efforts related to these activities.
The week is sponsored by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational boating and fishing, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources.
Each state sponsors this celebration in their own specific way. Many states have a “free” fishing day where no license is required. Some states and venues will have fishing competitions as well as other fishing and boating related events throughout the week. The emphasis is to entice people to celebrate the lakes, rivers and waterways for recreational boating and fishing.
The Take Me Fishing website has a state by state interactive map showing activities, fishing and boating locations and more. A how-to video shows how easy it is to use and for those who want even more detailed information, the Fishbrain App is available for download.
TakeMeFishing also provides a list of Free Fishing Days for National Fishing and Boating Week 2023 by state:
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- Alabama – Second Saturday in June. June 8, 2024
- Alaska – Residents under 18 and over 60 as well as disabled veterans fish for free year-round; other residents are required to have a fishing license. More info about Free Fishing Days AK
- Arkansas – Second full weekend in June. June 7-9, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days AR
- Arizona – First Saturday in June. June 1st, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days AZ
- California – July 6th and August 31st, 2024
More info about Free Fishing Days CA - Colorado – June 1-2, more info about Free Fishing Days CO
- Connecticut – June 16, and August 10th, 2024 More info about Free Fishing Days CT
- DC – 2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days DC
- Delaware – 2024 dates TBA, More info about Free Fishing Days DE
- Florida– June 8-9 (freshwater), June 1-2, Sept 7, and Nove 30th, 2024 (saltwater). More info about Free Fishing Days FL
- Georgia – June 1st, June 8th, and September 28,th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days GA
- Hawaii – 365 days a year (marine), more info about Free Fishing Days HI
- Idaho – Second Saturday every June. June 8th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days ID
- Illinois – June 14 – 17th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days IL
- Indiana – June 1st – 2nd, and September 28th, 2024. More info about Free Fishing Days IN
- Iowa – June 7-9, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days IA
- Kansas – June 1st – 2nd, 2024, more info Free Fishing Days KS
- Kentucky – 2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days KY
- Louisiana – June 8th – 9th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days LA
- Maine – June 1st – 2nd, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days ME
- Maryland – June 1st, June 8th, and July 4 Independence Day, 2024. More info about Free Fishing Days MD
- Massachusetts – June 1st – 2nd, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days MA
- Michigan – June 8th – 9th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days MI
- Minnesota – Residents can fish without a fishing license in most state parks year-round Free Fishing Days MN
- Mississippi – June 1st – 2nd, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days MS
- Missouri – June 8th – 9th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days MO
- Montana – Father’s Day weekend. June 15th-16th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days MT
- Nebraska – 2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days NE
- Nevada – June 8th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days NV
- New Hampshire – June 1st, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days NH
- New Jersey – June 1st and October 19th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days NJ
- New Mexico –2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days NM
- New York – June 29th – 30th, September 28th, November 11th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days NY
- North Carolina – July 4 Independence Day More info about Free Fishing Days NC
- North Dakota – 2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days ND
- Ohio – Father’s Day weekend. June 15th – 16th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days OH
- Oklahoma – June 1st – 2nd, 2024, (a free paddlefish permit is still required) more info about Free Fishing Days OK
- Oregon – June 1st – 2nd, and November 29th – 30th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days OR
- Rhode Island – 2024 dates TBA – more info about Free Fishing Days RI
- Tennessee – June 8th – 16th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days TN
- Texas – June 1st, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days TX
- Utah – June 8th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days UT
- Vermont – 2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days VT
- Virginia – June 7th – 9th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days VA
- Washington – “Free Fishing Weekend” is June 8th-9th, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days WA
- West Virginia – 2024 dates TBA, more info about Free Fishing Days WV
- Wisconsin – June 1st – 2nd, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days WI
- Wyoming – First Saturday in June. June 1st, 2024, more info about Free Fishing Days WY
It’s important to note that while National Fishing and Boating Week 2024 is nationwide, the specific events and opportunities can vary widely from state to state, and even community to community. So, it’s always a good idea to check with local resources for details about what’s happening in a specific area during National Fishing and Boating Week 2024.
Additional articles:
- 6 Basic Boating Safety Tips
- National Safe Boating Week 2023
- 5 Marina Safety Programs and Tips
- Choosing A Life Jacket – The First Step to Boating Safety
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