Free Fishing Clinics
Free Sport Fishing Events are family fishing clinics 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, June 23-24, 2018 is Free Fishing Weekend in NY. February 17-18, 2018, September 22, 2018 and November 11, 2018 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!
| Region/County | Name of Event | Location | Date/Rain Date | Time | Contact | Contact Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Rensselaer |
Learn to Fish | Schodack Island State Park (Hudson River), Schodack Landing | September 1, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Ashley Drum, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation | 518-732-0187 |
| 2 Queens |
Gantry Plaza Pop-Up Free Fishing Clinic | Gantry Plaza (East River), Long Island City | September 5, 2018 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Peconic River Snapper Fishing Clinic | Peconic Riverfront Park (Peconic River), Riverhead | September 6, 2018 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Bob McCormack, NYS DEC | 631-444-0280 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Fire Island Surfcasting Fishing Clinic | Fire Island Wilderness Center (Atlantic Ocean), Smith Point | September 15, 2018 | 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM | Bob McCormack, NYS DEC | 631-444-0280 |
| 2 Bronx |
Fishing for Coastal Clean-Up Day | Soundview Park (Bronx River), Bronx | September 15, 2018 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 2 Kings |
Free Fishing Clinic | North 5th Street Pier (East River), Brooklyn | September 18, 2018 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 2 Kings |
Free Fishing Clinic | North 5th Street Pier (East River), Brooklyn | September 20. 2018 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Town of Islip "Sea Fest" | Bayshore Manor Marine Park (Great South Bay), Bay Shore | September 22, 2018 | 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Bob McCormack, NYS DEC | 631-444-0280 |
| 3 Rockland |
National Hunting and Fishing Day | Congers Lake Memorial Park, Congers | September 22, 2018 | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Ryan Coulter, NYS DEC | 845-256-2204 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop In Hudson! | Henry Hudson Riverfront Park (Hudson River), Hudson | September 27, 2018 (Rain Date- October 11) | 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Pamela Price, Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District | 518-267-3313 |
| 2 New York |
Little Red Lighthouse Festival | Ft. Washington Park (Hudson River), Manhattan | September 29, 2018 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 1 Nassau |
Fall Family Fishing Festival | Hempstead Lake State Park (McDonald Pond), West Hempstead | October 20, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Bob McCormack, NYS DEC | 631-444-0280 |