Tips For Enjoying North Dakota's Free Fishing Weekend

North Dakota residents will have a chance to fish for free June 6-7 as part of the state’s annual Free Fishing Weekend, offering an easy entry point for beginners and a perfect excuse for experienced anglers to introduce someone new to the sport.

According to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, residents age 16 and older can fish without a license during the two-day event on any public waters across the state. Residents younger than 16 can already fish without a license year-round.

The weekend is designed to lower barriers for those curious about fishing, whether it’s a family outing, a first-time experience, or simply a chance to enjoy North Dakota’s lakes and rivers.

For beginners, getting started doesn’t require expensive or complicated equipment. A simple, affordable setup is more than enough to catch fish from shore at a local pond or lake.

A list of equipment that new anglers should consider picking up can be found HERE on the fish and game website, as well as a list of fishing regulations, and a tool to help find what body of whater is the right one for you to test the waters this free fishing weekend.