New York offers free fishing on Veterans Day

NEW YORK—New Yorkers can fish without a license on Wednesday, November 11, as the state marks Veterans Day with its seventh and final Free Fishing Day of 2026.

The annual observance gives residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy freshwater fishing without purchasing a fishing license. The exemption applies to both New York residents and non-residents, making it an opportunity for beginners to try the sport or experienced anglers to introduce friends and family to fishing.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), late fall and early winter can still offer plenty of fishing opportunities across the state.

New York's Great Lakes tributaries offer opportunities to catch steelhead and brown trout, while catch-and-release trout fishing is available in inland streams. Fishing for northern pike, tiger muskellunge and muskellunge can also be productive as temperatures drop.

"The fall can be a challenging time of year to fish, but with the proper clothing and some persistence, it can really pay off," DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said.

Anglers are reminded that muskellunge season closes November 30 in inland waters and December 15 in Great Lakes waters.

Although fishing licenses are not required on Free Fishing Days, all other state fishing regulations, including size limits, catch limits and seasonal restrictions, remain in effect.

Outside of designated Free Fishing Days, anyone age 16 or older must have a valid New York State fishing license. Licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

For those interested in participating, the DEC website offers information on publicly accessible fishing locations, parking areas, boat launches and fishing regulations.

Beginners can also find helpful resources through the DEC's I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing, which covers everything from preparing fishing equipment to identifying fish species and understanding regulations.

Additional information, including places to fish and resources for beginners, is available at dec.ny.gov.