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, 2019 free fishing days are as follows: February 16-17 (Presidents Day Weekend), June 29-30 (Free Fishing Weekend), September 28 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 New York |
Harlem Meer Catch and Release Fishing | Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park | Year-round | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Sean Reynolds, Central Park Conservancy | 646-634-9776 |
| 2 Kings |
Free Fishing Clinic | Shirley Chisholm State Park (Jamaica Bay), Brooklyn | October 5, 2019 | 1:30PM - 3:30PM | Sarah Maldonado, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 212-866-3100 |
| 2 New York |
Little Red Lighthouse Festival | Ft. Washington Park near Little Red Whitehouse (Hudson River), Manhattan | October 5, 2019 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 6 Jefferson |
Fishing with Spider Rybaak | Wellesley Island State Park (St. Lawrence River- Eel Bay) | October 5, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Bait & Lure) 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Basics of Fly Fishing) |
Steven Cline, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 315-482-2722 |
| 2 Queens |
Pop-Up Free Fishing Clinic | Gantry Plaza State Park (East River), Long Island City | October 9, 2019 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 2 Kings |
A Day in the Life of ConeyIsland Creek Fishing Clinic | Kaiser Park, Brooklyn | October 12, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Steve Wong, NYS DEC | 718-482-4941 |
| 1 Nassau |
Fall Family Fishing Festival | Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead | October 19, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Walter Burak, NYS DEC | 631-444-0283 |
| 2 Kings |
Free Fishing Clinic | Shirley Chisholm State Park (Jamaica Bay), Brooklyn | October 22, 2019 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Sarah Maldonado, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 212-866-3100 |