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Free Fishing Weekend

Free Fishing Weekend Jan. 20-21, 2024

On Free Fishing Weekend, you can wet a line without a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp. What a great opportunity for family and friends to give it a try! Look below for details to plan your special fishing day for your club or community group.

Plan a Clinic

Angler Education instructors, state park staff and organizations are invited to host fishing clinics around the state. Complete and submit the planning form so we can help you get the word out. Please include safety protocols in your plans. We want you, your volunteers and your participants to all be safe in every respect. Thank you!

Attend A Clinic

Search for Fishing on our events calendar for clinic locations. We'll add them as we learn of them.

No Tackle? No Problem!

Wisconsin has nearly 60 tackle loaner sites, and many of them are at our state parks. Office hours vary by site, so contact the loaner site and plan to pick up the gear.

Regulations Reminder

Please be aware that while you can fish without a license, all fishing regulations remain in effect, including seasons, bag limits and length limits. Please review the regulations before you start.

Tried Fishing and Loved It? Get Your License Now.

New to fishing or haven't bought a fishing license in 10 years? Want to make it a healthy habit? Try our First-time buyer - Welcome back resident license for only $5. Buy yours today.

Mark Your Calendar

Free Fishing Weekends are always held the third full weekend in January and the first full weekend in June. Watch for clinic announcements in the months ahead. 

Upcoming dates:  Jan. 20-21, 2024 and June 1-2, 2024.