Mark your calendars for this year’s Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend on June 1 and 2! No license is required to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, stream, or river in Massachusetts from 12 a.m. Saturday, June 1 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

• Other than Free Fishing Weekend, you need a license to fish in fresh water if you are 15 or older. If you’re 15–17 or 70 and older, your license is free. Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, fish stocking programs, and angler education programs. Buy your fishing license here.
• All other regulations, including catch limits, apply during Free Fishing Weekend. Before heading out on the water, make sure you know the rules. Review fishing regulations.
• For saltwater anglers, 2024 Free Saltwater Fishing Days are May 12 and June 16.

Introduce someone new to fishing or try it yourself! It’s easy to learn to fish. All you need to get started is some simple gear and a little practice! Read fishing tips and watch tutorial videos.

Use our fishing map to find places to fish near you! You can also explore trout stocked waters or handicapped accessible fishing sites.