Ohio Free Fishing Days
Two June days a year when Ohio residents fish without a license, with the rules that still apply.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Scioto River: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0
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The rules behind Ohio Free Fishing Days
On June 20 and 21, 2026, all Ohio residents are invited to experience Ohio’s fantastic public fishing opportunities without purchasing a license. All size and daily limits apply during these two days.
Residents only: the booklet and OAC 1501:31-13-10 limit Free Fishing Days to Ohio residents; nonresidents still need a license.
2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027), page 3; retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio Free Fishing Days by year, with the 2027 status
| Year | Days | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 20, 2026 and June 21, 2026 | Held (ODNR booklet) |
| 2027 | Not yet announced | ODNR had not published 2027 dates when this page was checked |
The 2027 days will be added here once the Division of Wildlife announces them.
Fishing Ohio without buying a license on other days
A FISHING LICENSE IS NOT REQUIRED OF PERSONS WHO ARE: Less than 16 years of age. This includes frogs and turtles; Fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs to and from which fish do not migrate; Giving assistance to an angler who has been issued the free mobility impaired or blind fishing license, provided the two persons together are using only one line; On June 20 and 21, 2026, all Ohio residents may fish without a license as part of Free Fishing Days; Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough; Fishing, or taking frogs or turtles, on land and water which they or their parents own, except where the land is in or borders on state parks or state-owned lakes; Fishing, or taking frogs or turtles, on land and water where they or their parents are tenants on which they reside, and from which they derive the majority of their income from agricultural production on that land (except state-owned lakes).
2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027), page 5; retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio shoreline views for Ohio Free Fishing Days
Photo: Upstateherd, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sixflashphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael A. Orlando, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
What Buckeye residents ask about Free Fishing Days
When were the 2026 Ohio Free Fishing Days?
June 20, 2026 and June 21, 2026, a Saturday and Sunday in June.
Can nonresidents fish free on those days?
No; Free Fishing Days are for Ohio residents only, and visitors still need a license.
Have the 2027 dates been announced?
Not yet; this page will list them once ODNR publishes them.
Do daily and size limits still apply on Free Fishing Days?
Yes; every size and daily limit stays in force.
Does a free day cover Lake Erie?
Yes; Ohio residents may fish any public Ohio water that weekend, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River on the Ohio side.
Who fishes free in Ohio all year?
Anglers under 16, people fishing private ponds that fish cannot leave, and helpers of an angler with the free mobility-impaired or blind license, among others.
How many free days does Ohio offer?
Two consecutive days each June, a Saturday and the Sunday after.
Where can I check the rules for that weekend?
On the Ohio license and regulations page, which carries the inland, Lake Erie and Ohio River limits.