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 |
| 5 Washington |
Carters Pond Ice Fishing Clinic | Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area, Greenwich | February 17, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Steve Gonyeau, NYS Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA) | 518-567-2104 |
| 4 Otsego |
Otsego Lake Ice Fishing Clinic | Glimmerglass State Park (Alternate Location: Canadarago Lake) |
February 20, 2019 (Alternate day: February 21) |
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Tom Hughes, NYS Parks & Recreation | 315-256-1759 |
| 4 Albany |
Lawson Lake Winter Festival Ice Fishing Clinic | Lawson Lake County Park, Feura Bush | February 23, 2019 (Alternate day: February 24) | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Lauren Sirkin, Albany County Recreation Department | 518-655-7948 |
| 4 Albany |
Six Mile Waterworks Fishing Festival | Six Mile Waterworks (Rensselaer Lake), Albany | April 23, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Joelle Ernst, NYS DEC | 518-402-8891 |
| 2 Kings |
Earth Day Fishing Clinic | Prospect Park Audubon Center (Prospect Park Lake), Brooklyn | April 28, 2019 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 2 Kings |
Brooklyn Bridge Park Free Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | May 18, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 6 Jefferson |
Fort Drum Free Fishing Day **Recreational Access Pass is required and available at https://fortdrum.isportsman.net/ |
Remington Pond, Fort Drum | May 18, 2019 | 12:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Raymond Rainbolt, Fort Drum - Environmental Division | 315-772-9636 |
| 9 Wyoming |
Free Learn to Catch a Fish and Kid's Conservation Day Clinic | Letchworth State Park, Castile | May 25, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Douglas Kelly, NYS Parks & Recreation | 585-493-3605 |
| 4 Schenectady |
Central Park Free Fishing Clinic | Central Park (Iroquois Lake), Schenectady | June 1, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Joelle Ernst, NYS DEC | 518-402-8891 |
| 4 Otsego |
Father's Day Fishing Clinic | Neahwa Park, Oneonta | June 16, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | David Plummer, Dave Brandt Chapter- Trout Unlimited | 607-563-1978 |
| 2 Kings |
Brooklyn Bridge Park Free Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | July 20, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 2 Kings |
Brooklyn Bridge Park Free Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | August 17, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 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 |