Utah Free Fishing Day
The one Saturday each June when no Utah fishing license is needed, with the rules that still apply.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Flaming Gorge Reservoir: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0
Utah Free Fishing Day dates
The one day you don’t need a license to fish in Utah is Saturday, June 6, 2026, which is Free Fishing Day.
The one day you don’t need a license to fish in Utah is Saturday, June 5, 2027, which is Free Fishing Day.
Everyone in Utah can fish for free that day, but please remember that all of the state’s other fishing laws and rules still apply.
2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8 (in force through December 31, 2026; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 20 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-3), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Photo of Red Fleet Reservoir: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0
Utah rules that stay in force on Free Fishing Day
Only the license is waived. Daily limits, the possession limit, the Rules for specific waters and any closures stay exactly as they are, and on June 5, 2027 the 2027 guidebook rules apply.
A license is not required on free fishing day, a Saturday in June, annually. All other laws and rules apply. (R657-13-3(1))
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-3), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Utah community ponds for a first Free Fishing Day
Community fisheries are city and county ponds that DWR stocks and manages under a simple two-fish limit, which suits a first outing with children.
- Mayors PondBox Elder County
- Pioneer Park PondBox Elder County
- Skylars Pond (West Willow Pond)Cache County
- Wellsville ReservoirCache County
- Gigliotti PondCarbon County
- Andy Adams ReservoirDavis County
- Bountiful LakeDavis County
- Clinton Park PondDavis County
- Farmington PondDavis County
- Jensen Nature Park PondDavis County
- Kaysville PondsDavis County
- Mabey PondDavis County
Large Utah reservoirs for a Free Fishing Day trip
- Utah Lake96,600 acres
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir42,000 acres
- Strawberry Reservoir17,200 acres
- Deer Creek Reservoir2,965 acres
- Scofield Reservoir2,815 acres
- Fish Lake2,500 acres
- Mona Reservoir1,250 acres
- Joes Valley Reservoir1,200 acres
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for this water prints it (DWR), read November 11, 2026.
Utah Free Fishing Day, answered
When is Utah Free Fishing Day in 2027?
June 5, 2027, a Saturday.
When was it in 2026?
June 6, 2026.
Is it a weekend or one day?
One day, a Saturday in June, as the rule describes it.
Do nonresidents fish free that day too?
Yes, everyone in Utah may fish without a license that day.
Do limits still apply?
Yes. All other fishing laws and rules apply, including daily limits.
Do kids under 12 need a license on other days?
No. Utah anglers under 12 never need a fishing license.
Which rules apply on June 5, 2027?
The 2027 guidebook, in force from January 1, 2027.
Where should beginners go?
Community fisheries are close to town and stocked by DWR; the list is on the community fisheries page.