Free Fishing Days in Ohio for Father’s Day Weekend
Free fishing days are a perfect opportunity for beginners to try out fishing for the first time. If you already have a fishing license, thank you for your purchase and for doing your part to support the efforts of your state fish and wildlife agency to make great fishing for current and future generations. Please also consider taking a friend or family member who has never been fishing, out on the water for the day. The sales of fishing licenses, along with the Sport Fish Restoration program, continue to fund the Division of Wildlife’s fish management operations.
Annual fishing licenses for Ohio residents are $25 — or residents can buy a lifetime license for $599.04. CINCINNATI — Want to take advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend? Ohio’s annual free fishing weekend gives residents the chance to fish at any of the state’s public fishing locations without a license. Learn how to fish, find places to fish and boat using our interactive map, get a fishing license or register your boat. These are days – some states even offer free fishing weekends – where anglers can go fishing without a license. Check out the next free fishing days in your state.
Other fishing regulations, like size and bag limits, remain active during the free weekend, ODNR said. The Ohio of Department of Natural Resources is hosting its annual free fishing weekend on June 18 and 19. Columbus on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap. CLEVELAND, Ohio – The chance is quickly approaching for Ohio residents to fish for free, no license required. Learn how to register your vessel, boating laws and more.
June is the only weekend of the year where Ohioans 16 and older can fish in public waters, including the Ohio River, without a fishing license. East Fork, Little Miami and Stonelick state parks are just a few fishing areas. Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter with interesting blogs about fishing and boating. Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating.
For a full list of participating states and dates if you’re traveling, click here.
Live bait is also more interesting for children. The DNR said more than 200 locations across the state have species like walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, brown trout, muskellunge, channel catfish, blue catfish and hybrid striped bass. Please note that the individual states may place certain restrictions and other regulations may apply, so be sure to contact your state fish and wildlife agency for specific state regulations. Each state celebrates different weekends with free fishing days throughout the year. • Choose a pond, lake or stream where children will be able to easily catch a few fish.
June 19-20 is Ohio’s free fishing weekend! This is the only time all year when those 16 years old and older are not required to obtain a fishing license to fish in the state’s public waters. Public waters include Lake Erie and the Ohio River. https://t.co/ysWGCZQdkR pic.twitter.com/t2U4nVDtkL
— Ohio State Parks & Watercraft (@OHStateParks) June 8, 2021
Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more. Neighboring states have different free days for fishing, so it’s the perfect chance to plan a day or weekend trip for some fishing. Many states offer Free Days for Fishing on select weekends to celebrate. Anglers of all ages are allowed to fish on public bodies of water without a license. The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. • Use live bait to increase the chance of catching a fish.
Beginners who want to test out their talents are encouraged to use a pond, lake or stream and use live bait. While fishing licenses aren’t required, all other fishing regulations still apply. Anglers 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters when not fishing on Ohio’s free fishing days weekend. Fishing licenses are available from participating agents and at wildohio.gov. It is the only weekend all year when those 16 years old or older are not required to obtain a fishing license to fish in the state’s public waters.
Learn new fishing skills, boating resources, fishing etiquette, conservation and more. Get the family to some water for National Fishing and Boating Week, a celebration of fishing and boating the first week of June every year. The week highlights the benefits of recreational boating and fishing, as well as preserving our country’s natural beauty. This year the event will take place on June 4-12, 2022. Learn more about National Fishing and Boating Week.
No state tax dollars are used for these activities. An estimated 1.3 million Ohioans fish in the Buckeye State every year. In Kentucky, residents can fish without a license during the first full weekend in June every year. Indiana offers multiple free fishing days, including Sept. 24 this year. That means any resident 16 years and older can fish public waters without purchasing a fishing license.
Dion Liriano is a 51-year-old American zookeeper who has retired from the business. He was once a highly successful director of the Zoo and Aquarium, but he has since hung up his gloves and moved on to other ventures. Dion's passion for animals began at a young age, when he would help his father care for their family pets. This love grew exponentially when he started working at the zoo; Dion quickly became one of the most experienced keepers in the business. He credits his success to the relationships he built with both staff and animals over the years.