Fish for Free Across Ohio June 20-21
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio residents will have a chance to fish for free during the state’s annual Free Fishing Days on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife says the special weekend allows residents to fish at any public waterway in Ohio without purchasing a fishing license. That includes Lake Erie, the Ohio River, public lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers across the state.
Free Fishing Days is the only weekend of the year when Ohio residents age 16 and older can fish public waters without a license. Anglers under 16 can fish for free year-round and are not required to have a license.
All size requirements, daily bag limits and other fishing regulations still apply during the free fishing weekend.
“Fishing is a great Ohio pastime for people of all ages,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “From the great Lake Erie to the Ohio River, Ohio’s great outdoors provides the perfect setting for your next fishing trip.”
The Division of Wildlife says more than 200 locations in Ohio are stocked annually with fish such as walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, brown trout, muskellunge, channel catfish, blue catfish and hybrid-striped bass. In 2025, more than 36 million fish were stocked in Ohio waters.
Officials say the weekend is a great opportunity to introduce someone new to fishing, reconnect with an outdoor tradition or spend time with family during Father’s Day weekend.
New anglers are encouraged to keep the trip simple, choose a pond, lake or stream where fish are easy to catch, use live bait, bring snacks, take photos and be patient.
Ohio’s public fishing areas also give anglers a chance to qualify for the Fish Ohio program, which recognizes trophy catches of 26 different fish species. Anglers who submit a qualifying catch can receive a commemorative Fish Ohio pin, while those who catch four qualifying species in the same year can earn a Master Angler pin. This year’s Fish Ohio pin features a channel catfish.
Anglers can use the HuntFish OH mobile app or visit ohiodnr.gov to find public fishing locations. Fishing tips, species information, regulations and license details are also available at wildohio.gov.
Outside of the free fishing weekend, Ohio residents age 16 and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs and turtles. A one-year resident fishing license costs $25 and can be purchased online, through the HuntFish OH app or at participating license agents.
