Pennsylvania Fish-for-Free Days
The two license-free days a year, the 2026 dates and the rules that still apply.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Allegheny Reservoir: diego_cue, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
How Pennsylvania Fish-for-Free Days work
Two Fish-for-Free Days a year when anyone (resident or non-resident) may fish without a license; trout/salmon and Lake Erie permits also not required; all other regulations apply.
Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with no fishing license required (trout/salmon and Lake Erie permits are also not required). All other fishing regulations still apply.
PFBC fishing regulations page and the 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary, page 41; retrieved October 23, 2026.
Pennsylvania Fish-for-Free Days in 2026 and 2027
| Day | Year | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fish-for-Free Day (May) | 2026 | May 24, 2026 |
| Fish-for-Free Day (May) | 2027 | Not yet published by the PFBC |
| Fish-for-Free Day (July 4) | 2026 | July 4, 2026 |
| Fish-for-Free Day (July 4) | 2027 | Not yet published by the PFBC |
The PFBC had not printed its 2027 Fish-for-Free Days when this page was checked; they will be added once published.
Other ways to fish Pennsylvania without a full license
- Mentored Youth Trout Day, March 28, 2026: Youth need a free Mentored Youth Permit or $2.97 Voluntary Youth License; adults need a license and trout permit.youth day
- Free resident lifetime license for 100% service-connected disabled veteran residents; reduced fee for 60-99% disabled veterans; POW licenses; eligible active-duty PA residents on leave may fish without a license with proof.fee waivers
- A current license is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any species, take fishbait or baitfish, or take reptiles and amphibians from Commonwealth waters. Trout permit needed to fish for trout; Lake Erie permit needed on Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and tributaries.who needs a license
Keystone lakes and creeks seen from Pennsylvania Fish-for-Free Days
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: diego_cue, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pennsylvania Fish-for-Free Day questions
When was the May 2026 Fish-for-Free Day?
May 24, 2026, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
When was the July 2026 Fish-for-Free Day?
July 4, 2026, Independence Day.
Are the 2027 Fish-for-Free Days published?
Not yet; this page adds them once the PFBC prints them.
Do visitors from other states fish free on those days?
Yes; residents and nonresidents alike fish without a license.
Are trout and Lake Erie permits waived too?
Yes; no permit is needed on a Fish-for-Free Day.
Do creel and size limits still apply?
Yes; every other regulation stays in force.
How many free days does Pennsylvania hold?
Two a year, each a single day rather than a weekend.
Do children need a license on other days?
Anglers under 16 need no license; a free Mentored Youth Permit or a $2.97 voluntary youth license covers youth trout days.