Free Fishing Clinics
Learn how to fish for free at an upcoming sport fishing clinic organized and conducted by DEC and numerous other organizations. In addition to having fun while fishing, participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics, aquatic ecology, and more! During these clinics no freshwater fishing license or enrollment in the recreational marine fishing registry is required, but all other statewide fishing regulations remain in effect.
Upcoming Free Fishing Clinics
Last updated on 5/5/2022: Check this page frequently as new events are added to this list throughout the year.
| Event | Date | Time | Location | City/Town | County | Event Organizer | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gowanda Volunteer Fire Company Kids and Adult Fishing Clinic | Saturday, 5/7 | 9:30AM- 2:30PM | Gowanda Fire Hall, 230 Aldrich St, Gowanda, NY 14070 (Cattaraugus Creek) | Gowanda | Erie | Gowanda Volunteer Fire Company | Stephen Raiport-Gowanda Volunteer Fire Co. - 716-698-9947. Additional details and registration for this event can be found on the Gowanda Fire Hall website (leaves DEC website) |
| Annual Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage Day | Saturday, 5/21 | 9:00AM-11:30AM and 12:30PM-3:00PM |
South Otselic Fish Hatchery, Route 26, South Otselic, NY 13155 | South Otselic | Chenango | NYSDEC and Trout Unlimited Chenango Valley Chapter | Jim Everard, NYSDEC Cortland Office - 607-753-3095 (ext. 401) Additional details for this event can be found on the Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage Associate site (leaves DEC website) |
| Allegany State Park Fishing Clinic | Saturday, 6/4 | 10:30AM-2:00PM | Allegany State Park - Red House Lake, Route 1, Salamanca, NY 14779 | Salamanca | Cattaraugus | NYSDEC | Michael Todd - NYSDEC Region 9 Office - 716-851-7013 |
| Town of Clifton Park Annual Learn-to-Fish Day | 9:00AM-12:30PM | Barney Road Park, 1A Barney Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065 | Clifton Park | Saratoga | Town of Clifton Park, Parks and Recreation Department | Myla Kramer - Town of Clifton Park, Parks and Rec - 518-371-6667 | |
| Community Trails Day in Columbia County | 1:00PM-4:00PM | Sutherland Pond at Ooms Conservation Area, 480 Rock City Road, Chatham, NY 12037 | Chatham | Columbia | Columbia Land Conservancy | Katherine Pinkowski - Columbia Land Conservancy - 518-392-5252 (ext. 212) | |
| Family Fishing Day Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery | Saturday, 6/4 | 9:30AM-12:30 PM | Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, Rte 321, Elbridge, NY 13060 | Elbridge | Onondaga | NYSDEC, Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, Friends of Carpenter's Brook | |
| Teach Me to Fish Clinic at Tifft Nature Preserve | Saturday, 6/11 | 9:30AM-1:00PM | Tifft Nature Preserve - Lake Kirsty, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14203 | Buffalo | Erie | NYSDEC and Erie County Sportsmen Federation | Michael Todd - NYSDEC Region 9 Office - 716-851-7013 |
| Outdoors Day 2022 at Hempstead Lake State Park | 9:00AM- 1:00PM | Hempstead Lake State Park, 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead, NY 11552 | West Hempstead | Nassau | I Fish NY | Walter Burak - I Fish NY Coordinator, 631-444-0283 | |
| Father's Day Fishing Clinic at Neahwa Park | Sunday, 6/19 | 11:00AM-3:00PM | Neahwa Park - Hodges Pond, Oneonta, NY 13820 | Oneonta | Otsego | Trout Unlimited Dave Brandt Chapter 210 | MJ Coloney - Trout Unlimited - 607-434-4865 |
| Town of Islip Freshwater Fishing Clinic at Knapps Lake | Thursdays, 6/23, 7/14, and 8/11 | 5:30PM- 7:30PM | Knapps Lake at Brookwood Hall Park, 50 Irish Ln, Islip, NY 11751 | Islip | Suffolk | Town of Islip | Mary Grace Fromhan - Town of Islip, 631-224-5340; pre-registration is required as space is limited |
| Teach Me to Fish Clinic at Chestnut Ridge Park | Saturday, 6/25 | 9:30AM-12:30PM | Chestnut Ridge County Park Pond, Route 277, Orchard Park, NY 14127 | Orchard Park | Erie | NYSDEC and Erie County Sportsmen Federation | Amy Cavanaugh - NYSDEC Region 9 Office - 716-533-4070 |
| Free Family Fishing Clinic on Conesus Lake | 9:00AM-12:00PM | Chip Holt Nature Center in Vitale Park, 5828 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville, NY 14480 | Lakeville | Livingston | Chip Holt Nature Center and Livingston County Veteran's Association | Chip Holt Nature Center - chipholtnaturecenter@yahoo.com | |
| Big City Fishing at Pier 26 in Hudson River Park | Wednesdays, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, and 8/24 | 5:00PM-7:00PM | Pier 26, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10013 | New York | New York | Hudson River Park Trust | Toland Kister - Hudson River Park Trust - 917-661-8748 |
| Big City Fishing at Pier 51 in Hudson River Park | Sundays, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, and 8/28 | 11:00AM-2:00PM | Pier 51, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10014 | New York | New York | Hudson River Park Trust | Toland Kister - Hudson River Park Trust - 917-661-8748 |
| Hemstead Lake Summer Fishing Clinic | Saturday, 8/6 | 10:00AM-1:00PM | Hempstead Lake State Park, 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead, NY 11552 | West Hempstead | Nassau | I Fish NY | Walter Burak - I Fish NY Coordinator, 631-444-0283 |
| Corey Beach Crabbing and Snapper Fishing Clinic | Thursday, 8/18 | 5:30PM-7:30PM | Corey Beach Blue Point Boat Ramp, 1 Corey Ave, Blue Point, NY 11715 | Blue Point | Suffolk | I Fish NY | Walter Burak - I Fish NY Coordinator, 631-444-0283 |
| Riverhead Snapper Fishing Clinic | Thursday, 9/8 | 5:30PM-7:30PM | Peconic Riverfront Park, 40 Peconic Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901 | Riverhead | Suffolk | I Fish NY | Walter Burak - I Fish NY Coordinator, 631-444-0283 |
| Fall Family Fishing Festival at Hempstead Lake State Park | Saturday, 10/15 | 10:00AM-4:00PM | Hempstead Lake State Park, 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead, NY 11552 | West Hempstead | Nassau | I Fish NY | Walter Burak - I Fish NY Coordinator, 631-444-0283 |
Other Related and Helpful Information
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Fishing Rod Loaner Program
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I FISH NY Beginner's Guide to Freshwater Fishing
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Taking a Child Fishing
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Fishing Skills
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DEC Events Calendar
Check for other outdoor and educational fish or wildlife events hosted or co-sponsored by DEC for you and your family to enjoy.