Indiana Free Fishing Days
May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26, 2026: no license or trout/salmon stamp for Indiana residents.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Michigan: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
The four Indiana Free Fishing Days of 2026
The Indiana DNR set May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26, 2026 as Free Fishing Days. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state's public waters. All other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits apply.
The days are for Indiana residents: a visitor from another state still buys a license, though anglers under 18 never need one. Bag and size limits, special regulation waters and the trout stream opener all stay in force.
| Date | Weekday |
|---|---|
| May 10, 2026 | Sunday |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday |
| June 7, 2026 | Sunday |
| September 26, 2026 | Saturday |
Indiana DNR Free Fishing Days page, read November 5, 2026.
Indiana Free Fishing Days for 2027
Not printed on the DNR page on the retrieval date. The DNR page read November 5, 2026 printed no 2027 dates, so none appear here; this page changes when the DNR posts them.
Indiana DNR Free Fishing Days page, read November 5, 2026.
Indiana waters to try on a license-free day
- Lake Michiganperch off the piers and salmon in the harbors (the stamp is waived too)
- Trout fishingput-and-take streams and spring trout lakes
- Shore fishingDNR piers and bank sites, no boat needed
- Boat rampsDNR access sites by water
- Bait shopsnightcrawlers and minnows by district
- Limitsthe 18 statewide rows still apply
Indiana Free Fishing Days, with Indiana lakes in pictures
Photo: Kyle Hartshorn, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: bob, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Indiana Free Fishing Days, answered
Which 2026 dates are Indiana Free Fishing Days?
May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26, 2026.
Who can fish free on those days?
Indiana residents; the DNR page says residents need no license or trout/salmon stamp on those days.
Do nonresidents fish free on Indiana Free Fishing Days?
No. The DNR frames the days for Indiana residents, so a nonresident 18 or older still needs a license.
Is the trout/salmon stamp waived too?
Yes, for residents on those days.
Do bag and size limits still apply?
Yes. All other rules, including seasons and bag and size limits, still apply.
Has the DNR set Free Fishing Days for 2027?
Not yet; the DNR page read for this site printed no 2027 dates.
Do kids need a license on other days?
No. Anglers under 18 are exempt year-round.
Can I fish Lake Michigan salmon free that day?
A resident can, without the stamp, under Lake Michigan bag of five salmon and trout.