Free Fishing Weekend

  • Enjoy Free Fishing Weekend!

    Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities, Michigan Fishing, for FREE!

    Upcoming Free Fishing Weekend dates for 2022 are: February 19 & 20 and June 11 & 12. All fishing license fees will be waived for two days. Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply.

    A Recreation Passport will NOT be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites during Free Fishing Weekends. 

    Free Fishing Weekend on June 11 & 12, 2022 is held in conjunction with "Three Free" weekend, where residents and nonresidents can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks and boating access sites - all free of charge. During Free ORV Weekend, Michigan residents and visitors legally can ride without buying an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply. For more information about Free ORV Weekends, visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo.

    You can enjoy the outdoors and fish with your family, friends or make it a solo trip!

    Want to know when future Free Fishing Weekends will be? The winter weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday of President's Day weekend and the summer weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday following the first full week of June.

    2023 Free Fishing Weekend Dates:

    Winter: February 18 & 19, 2023
    Summer: June 10 & 11, 2023

  • My First Fish! or My Big Fish!

    Celebrate the catching of a child's first fish or a big fish with these printable certificates: