New York’s final free fishing day of 2026 falls on Veterans Day

NEW YORK (WBNG) — New York residents and visitors can fish without a freshwater fishing license on Wednesday, Nov. 11, as the state observes its final Free Fishing Day of the year.

The event takes place on Veterans Day and offers an opportunity for people to spend time fishing with veterans and others in their lives.

While the license requirement is waived for the day, all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect, according to a Facebook post by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

Outside of Free Fishing Days, anyone age 16 or older generally needs a current New York State freshwater fishing license. Annual licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Information about buying licenses is available on the NYSDEC’s website.

Additionally, the state offers free or reduced-fee fishing licenses to active-duty military members who meet certain criteria and to New York resident veterans with a service-related disability of 40% or more.

Those planning a fishing trip can use NYSDEC’s HuntFishNY app, which displays digital licenses and provides hunting- and fishing-related information and resources.

NYSDEC officials remind fishers that they can visit the Angler Achievement Awards Program webpage to submit big catches.

Visit dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/learn-to-fish for more information on fishing.