Saturday, June 7 is an especially great day to go fishing in Texas because it’s Free Fishing Day. While fishing is always free in Texas State Parks, on the first Saturday in June you can fish without a fishing license in any public water body in Texas.
Saturday is also the first-ever KeepAmericaFishing Day and is being held in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week. This is a day for avid and novice anglers alike to show their support of recreational fishing by getting out on the water.
Anglers are asked to come to the KeepAmericaFishingDay site and share their experiences including photos and other highlights. Just by sharing, anglers are eligible to win prizes from KeepAmericaFishing and its partners.
“This is the inaugural year for KeepAmericaFishing Day and it’s an exciting new venture for KeepAmericaFishing,” said American Sportfishing Association Vice President Gordon Robertson. “Anglers everywhere should come and share their fishing experiences anytime during National Fishing and Boating Week but especially on KeepAmericaFishing Day to stand united behind one of America’s favorite pastimes — fishing.”
Free Fishing in State Parks
Fishing in Texas State Parks is always free. The normal fishing license and stamp requirements are not required for anyone fishing inside the property boundary of any of the more than 50 State Parks in Texas and numerous Wildlife Management areas across the state. Once you've paid the park entrance fees, no one needs a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater, adult or child, as long as they're inside the state park. However, bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply, and be enforced.
This applies to fishing from the bank, a pier, river or creek fishing, and fishing from a boat, if the water body is fully contained within the state park boundary. You can even wadefish in our coastal state parks along park property.
There will also be fishing events throughout the year to add to the excitement—from kids’ fishing derbies to “Learn to Fish” seminars. Some parks will be providing loaner equipment and bait: just call ahead to ask.
