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 |
| 6 St. Lawrence |
20th Annual "Ted Kot" Youth Fishing Day (Pre-Registration encouraged) | Wilson Hill Boat Launch & Causeway (St. Lawrence River), Massena | May 12, 2019 Rain Date: June 1 |
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Mike McCabe, Massena Joint Recreation Commission | 315-769-3161 |
| 2 Queens |
Fishing Clinic | Gantry Plaza State Park (East River), Long Island City | May 23, 2019 | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Devin Gorsen, NYS Parks & Recreation | 646-455-7283 |
| 3 Dutchess |
Fishing the River | Norrie Point Environmental Center (Hudson River), Staatsburg | May 24, 2019 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Ryan Coulter, NYS DEC | 845-256-2204 |
| 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 |
| 2 New York |
"Off the Hook" Fishing Experience | Hudson River Park - Pier 84, Manhattan | May 31, 2019 | 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Keith Negrin, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation | 612-305-6357 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Captree Tackle's Fluke Clinic | Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle (Captree State Park), Babylon | June 1, 2019 Rain Date- June 2 |
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Brenden Rutigliano, Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle | 631-587-3430 |
| 2 New York |
"Off the Hook" Fishing Experience | Hudson River Park - Pier 84, Manhattan | June 1, 2019 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Keith Negrin, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation | 612-305-6357 |
| 2 Queens |
World Science Festival Fish Count | Gantry Plaza State Park, Pier 4 (East River), Long Island City | June 1, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 6 Oneida |
Sauquoit Creek Fishing Clinic | Washington Mills Athletic Park, Washington Mills | June 1, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Dave Erway, NYS DEC | 315-793-2556 |
|
7 |
15th Annual Carpenter's Brook Fishing Clinic | Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, Route 321, Elbridge | June 1, 2019 | 9:30 AM-12:30 PM | Jim Everard, NYS DEC | 315-753-3095 |
| 9 Chautauqua |
Take A Kid Fishing | Dunkirk Harbor Conservation Club (Lake Erie), Dunkirk | June 1, 2019 | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Zen Olow, Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club | 716-640-2776 |
| 2 New York |
"Off the Hook" Fishing Experience | Hudson River Park - Pier 84, Manhattan | June 2, 2019 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Keith Negrin, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation | 612-305-6357 |
| 1 Nassau |
Outdoors Day 2019 | Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead | June 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Walter Burak, NYS DEC | 631-444-0283 |
| 2 Richmond |
Outdoors Day 2019 | Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island | June 8, 2019 | 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 3 Ulster |
Outdoors Day 2019 | Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, Mt. Tremper | June 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Ryan Coulter, NYS DEC | 845-256-2204 |
| 4 Albany |
Outdoors Day 2019 | Lawson Lake County Park, Feura Bush | June 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Joelle Ernst, NYS DEC | 518-402-8891 |
| 5 Fulton |
Outdoors Day 2019 | Northampton Beach Campground, Mayfield | June 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Joelle Ernst, NYS DEC | 518-402-8891 |
| 6 Lewis |
Outdoors Day 2019 | DEC Lowville Office, Lowville | June 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Dave Erway, NYS DEC | 315-793-2556 |
| 7 Chenango |
Outdoors Day 2019 | Rogers Environmental Education Center, Sherburne | June 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Jim Everard, NYS DEC | 607-753-3095 |
| 9 Chautauqua |
Great Lakes Experience | Memorial Park (Lake Erie), Dunkirk | June 8, 2019 | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Zen Olow, Great Lakes Experience | 716-640-2776 |
| 9 Erie |
Teach-Me-To-Fish Clinic | Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo | June 8, 2019 | 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Michael Todd, NYS DEC | 716-851-7010 |
| 2 Kings |
Rod and Reel Fishing Clinic | Brooklyn Bridge Park- Pier 5 (East River), Brooklyn | June 16, 2019 | 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM | Lhana Ormenyi, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy | 718-412-0934 |
| 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 |
| 8 Livingston |
Chip Holt Nature Center Free Fishing Clinic | Vitale Park (Conesus Lake), Lakeville | June 22, 2019 | 9:00 AM -12:00 PM | Matthew Sanderson, Chip Holt Nature Center | 585-243-1904 |
|
1 |
Town of Islip Public Freshwater Fishing Clinic | Knapps Lake at Brookwood Hall, East Islip | June 27, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Town of Islip Parks and Recreation | 631-224-5430 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop in Hudson! | Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant | June 28, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Pamela Price, Columbia County SWCD | 518-267-3313 |
| 2 New York |
Harlem Piers Free Fishing Clinic | 125th St and Hudson River, Manhattan | June 29, 2019 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 3 Orange |
Sterling Forest State Park Fishing Clinic | Sterling Forest State Park (Sterling Lake), Tuxedo | June 29, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Michael McElroy, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | 845-351-5907 |
| 4 Rensselaer |
Family Fishing Clinic | Grafton Lakes State Park (Long Pond), Grafton | June 29, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Joelle Ernst, NYS DEC | 518-402-8891 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop in Hudson! | Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant | July 5, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Pamela Price, Columbia County SWCD | 518-267-3313 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Town of Brookhaven Summer Family Fishing Clinic | Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park (Lake Ronkonkoma), Ronkonkoma | July 10, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Walter Burak, NYS DEC | 631-444-0283 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop in Hudson! | Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant | July 12, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Pamela Price, Columbia County SWCD | 518-267-3313 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Captree Tackle's Crab Clinic | Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle (Captree State Park), Babylon | July 13, 2019 (Rain Date- July 14) |
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Brenden Rutigliano, Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle | 631-587-3430 |
| 4 Delaware |
Pepacton Family Fishing Day | Shavertown Bridge parking lot (Pepacton Reservoir), Andes | July 13, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Tom Davidock, NYC DEP | 845-340-7812 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Town of Islip Public Freshwater Fishing Clinic | Knapps Lake at Brookwood Hall, East Islip | July 18, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Town of Islip Parks and Recreation | 631-224-5430 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop in Hudson! | Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant | July 19, 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 | July 20, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Melissa Cohen, NYS DEC | 718-482-4022 |
| 4 Columbia |
Drop in Hudson! | Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant | July 26, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Pamela Price, Columbia County SWCD | 518-267-3313 |
| 2 Kings |
Rod and Reel Fishing Clinic | Pier 5 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park (East River), Brooklyn | July 28, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Lhana Ormenyi, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy | 718-412-0934 |
| 1 Nassau |
Summer Family Fishing Festival | Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead | August 3, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Walter Burak, NYS DEC | 631-444-0283 |
| 1 Suffolk |
Captree Tackle's Snapper Clinic | Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle (Captree State Park), Babylon | August 3, 2019 (Rain Date- August 4) |
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Brenden Rutigliano, Captree Fuel, Bait & Tackle | 631-587-3430 |
|
1 |
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 |
| 1 Nassau |
Port Washington Kids Center Fishing Clinic | Town Dock (Manhasset Bay), Port Washington | August 9, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Bob McCormack, NYS DEC | 631-444-0280 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 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 |
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 |
|
1 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |