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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Albany |
Thompson's Lake Ice Fishing Clinic | Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center on Thompson's Lake (Thompson's Lake), Voorheesville | January 25, 2020 |
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Nancy Engel, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 518-872-0800 |
| 4 Rensselaer |
Tomhannock Reservoir Ice Fishing Clinic | DEC Angler Parking Lot (Tomhannock Reservoir) | February 1, 2020 |
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Dennis Wischman, NYS DEC | 607-652-2652 |
| 5 Washington |
Winterfest 2020 | Lake Lauderdale Park, Cambridge | February 1, 2020 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Kathy Jo McIntyre, Washington County | 518-746-2400 |
| 5 Washington |
Carter's Pond Ice Fishing Clinic | Carter's Pond Wildlife Management Unit, Greenwich | February 16, 2020 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | ECO Stephen Gonyeau, NYS DEC | 518-567-2104 |
| 4 Otsego |
Otsego - Ice Fishing Clinic | Glimmerglass State Park (Otsego Lake), Cooperstown | February 19, 2020 | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Tom Hughes, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 315-492-1756 |
| 4 Albany |
Winter Festival | Lawson Lake County Park, Feura Bush | February 22, 2020 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Lauren Sirkin, Albany County, Dept. of Recreation | 518-655-7945 |