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 |
Pop-Up Audubon I and II | Prospect Park (Prospect Park Lake), Brooklyn | Saturdays and Sundays, July & August |
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Steve Wong, Prospect Park Alliance | 718-287-3400 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Town of Islip Public Freshwater Fishing Clinic | Knapps Lake at Brookwood Hall, East Islip | August 8, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Town of Islip Parks and Recreation | 631-224-5430 |
| 2 Kings |
Rod and Reel Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | August 9, 2019 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Lhana Ormenyi, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy | 818-577-9214 |
| 4 Albany |
Learn to Fish at Thompson's Lake (*Please call 518-872-0800 to pre-register) |
Thompson's Lake Campground (Thacher State Park), East Berne | August 14, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Nancy Engel, Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center | 518-872-0800 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Town of Brookhaven Family Saltwater Fishing & Crabbing Clinic | Corey Beach Park, Blue Point | August 15, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Walter Burak, NYS DEC | 631-444-0283 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop in Hudson! | Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant | August 16, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Pamela Price, Columbia County SWCD | 518-267-3313 |
| 2 Kings |
Brooklyn Bridge Park Free Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | August 17, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
|
3 |
Free Family Fishing on the River | Quiet Cove Riverfront Park (Hudson River), Poughkeepsie | August 21, 2019 (Rain Date- August 28) |
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Ryan Coulter, NYS DEC | 845-256-2204 |
| 7 Onondaga |
Great New York State Fair Free Fishing Day | State Fairgrounds, Syracuse | August 22, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Jim Everard, NYS DEC | 607-753-3095 |
| 7 Onondaga |
Great New York State Fair Free Fishing Day | State Fairgrounds, Syracuse | August 24, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Jim Everard, NYS DEC | 607-753-3095 |
| 2 Kings |
Pop-Up Fishing Clinic | North 5th Street (East River), Brooklyn | August 29, 2019 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 6 Jefferson |
Fishing with Spider Rybaak | Wellesley Island State Park (St. Lawrence River- Eel Bay) | August 31, 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 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Snapper Clinic | Peconic Riverfront Park (Peconic River), Riverhead | September 5, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Bob McCormack, NYS DEC | 631-444-0280 |
| 2 Queens |
Pop-Up Fishing Clinic | Gantry Plaza State Park (East River), Long Island City | September 5, 2019 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 2 Kings |
Brooklyn Bridge Park Free Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | September 14, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Fire Island Surfcasting Clinic | Fire Island National Seashore Wilderness Visitor Center, Smith Point, Shirley | September 14, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM | Chris Olijnyk, Fire Island National Seashore | 631-687-4780 |
| 6 Jefferson |
Fishing classes with Spider Rybaak | Wellesley Island State Park - Minna Anthony Common Nature Center (St. Lawrence River, Eel Bay) | September 14, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Steven Cline, Wellesley Island State Park | 315-482-2722 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Town of Islip Seafest | Bay Shore Marina, Bay Shore | September 21, 2019 | 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Town of Islip Parks and Recreation | 631-224-5430 |
| 7 Tompkins |
Jacksonville Community Park Fishing Festival | Jacksonville Community Park, Jacksonville | September 21, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Bridgid Beames, Jacksonville Community Association | 607-279-8493 |
| 2 New York |
Get Hooked | Randall's Island Park southern shoreline, Icahn Stadium, New York | September 28, 2019 | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Christopher Girgenti, Randall's Island | 212-860-1899 |
| 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 |
| 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 |