Free Fishing Clinics
Free Sport Fishing Events are fishing programs where participants can fish for free; no freshwater fishing license or enrollment in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry is required. In addition to fishing, participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and aquatic ecology. In addition to the Free Sport Fishing Events, 2020 free fishing days are as follows: February 15-16 (Presidents Day Weekend), June 27-28 (Free Fishing Weekend), September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day) have also been newly designated as Free Fishing Days. During these days, anyone can fish the fresh waters of NY and no license is required. This table is routinely updated, so check back often for a fishing program near you!
| Region/County | Name of Event | Location | Date/Rain Date | Time | Contact | Contact Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jefferson |
Fort Drum Free Fishing Day *Fort Drum Recreational Access Pass required, available online |
Fort Drum (Remington Pond), Fort Drum | May 16, 2020 | 15:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Raymond Rainbolt, Directorate of Public Works- Environmental Division | 315-772-9636 |
| 9 Wyoming |
Free Learn to Catch a Fish Day | Silver Lake State Park, Silver Springs | May 16, 2020 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Douglas Kelly, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 585-493-3605 |
| 5 Saratoga |
Family Learn-to-Fish Program | Barney Road Park & Pool (Barney Pond), Clifton Park | May 30, 2020 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Jennifer Viggiani, Town of Clifton Park Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee | 518-371-6054 |
| 7 Onondaga |
Family Fishing Day | Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, Elbridge | June 6, 2020 | 9:30 AM -12:30 PM | Jim Everard, NYS DEC or Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery | 607-753-3095 or 315-689-9367 |
| 9 Chautauqua |
Take a Kid Fishing | Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club/Memorial Park (Lake Erie), Dunkirk | June 6, 2020 | 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Zen Olow, Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club | 716-640-2776 |
| 9 Chautauqua |
Great Lakes Experience | Memorial Park (Lake Erie), Dunkirk | June 6, 2020 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Zen Olow, Great Lakes Experience | 716-640-2776 |
| 4 Otsego |
Father's Day Fishing Clinic | Neawha Park (Hodges Pond), Oneonta | June 21, 2020 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Patricia Leitenberger, Dave Brandt Chapter- Trout Unlimited | 607-434-6029 |
| 7 Onondaga |
Webster Pond Free Fishing Clinic | Webster Pond, Syracuse | August 8, 2020 (Rain Date: August 15) |
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Chad Norton, Anglers Association of Onondaga | 315-727-2922 |