Free Access To NJ Waterways For Fishing

NEW JERSEY - Grab your poles, and don’t worry about your wallets.

The first of only two “Free Fishing Days” for 2025 in the state of New Jersey is this Saturday.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish and Wildlife division is making the Garden State’s beautiful waters more accessible with no license or trout stamp requirements all day on public waters. The other regulations, such as size and daily catch limits, still apply for both freshwater and saltwater.

The Free Fishing Day on June 7 coincides with this year’s “National Fishing and Boating Week.” This nationwide event runs from June 1 through June 8, and allows people of all ages to find new fishing sites and learn some tips on how to make the most of the time spent trying to wrangle your next big one in.

MORE: List Of Places To Fish Around New Jersey

Kids under the age of 16 do not need a license to fish, and can take part in this year’s Annual Hooked On Fishing youth challenge. Multiple sites are hosting the free competitions around the state on both Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. Anyone attending on Sunday, June 8 who is age 16 and over will need a fishing license and trout stamp.

The event is sponsored by the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs Program which is meant to provide positive recreational activities for kids to get involved with and develop meaningful life skills. Schools throughout the state are invited to participate and partner with the initiative in order to give students access to extracurricular outlets that encourage outdoor recreation.