FREE FISHING DAY – STATEWIDE
Saturday, September 27, 2025
DEC designates Saturday, September 27, 2025, FREE FISHING DAY, which allows anyone to recreationally fish without a freshwater fishing license in New York State. This offers the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, to get back into the sport after taking a break, or to take a friend or the whole family along to fish. September is an excellent time to spend some time next to a stream, soak in the scents of fall, look at the foliage changing, and if you are lucky, bring home dinner.
Even though a license is not needed, all fishing regulations apply. Be sure to know the regulations where you are fishing.
There are several well marked fishing accesses on the East Branch of the Delaware River, providing access and parking. More fishing places can be found on DEC’s HuntFishNY app.