Wyoming — For one day each year, Wyoming opens some of the best fishing waters in the country to everyone — no license required. On June 6, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s annual Free Fishing Day gives residents and visitors a chance to fish legally across Wyoming waters (excluding Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Reservation) without purchasing a fishing license.
Timed with National Boating and Fishing Week, Free Fishing Day is designed to introduce more families, kids, and first-time anglers to Wyoming’s renowned fisheries while celebrating the state’s outdoor traditions.
A Perfect Excuse to Get Outside
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a parent looking for an easy summer adventure, Free Fishing Day offers a rare opportunity to explore Wyoming’s rivers, lakes, and ponds at no cost. From mountain streams to community fishing ponds, it’s a statewide invitation to unplug, get outdoors, and make memories.
Importantly, while licenses are waived for the day, all regular fishing regulations still apply — including creel limits, gear restrictions, stream closures, and size requirements. Anglers should review Wyoming’s 2026 Fishing Regulations and use the Game and Fish interactive fishing guide before heading out.
Big Opportunity for Bighorn Basin Families
For families in the Bighorn Basin, Lovell’s Kids Fishing Day and pond re-dedication at the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor Center offers one of the region’s standout events. Scheduled for June 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the event combines fishing fun with a celebration of local outdoor resources. Fishing equipment will be available for families who need it, making it especially accessible for beginners.
Later in June, Dayton’s Kids Fishing Day at Burgess Junction on June 27 also offers another regional opportunity for northern Wyoming families to enjoy a mountain fishing experience.
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Events Across Wyoming
Communities statewide are hosting family-friendly fishing events, many with free rods, tackle, lunch, prizes, and educational activities. Cody’s Beck Lake Complex will host a June 6 Kids Fishing Day with lunch and prizes, while nearby communities including Dubois, Riverton, Lander, and Casper are also organizing major events.
These gatherings are about more than catching fish — they’re about building the next generation of conservationists, outdoorsmen, and Wyoming adventurers.
More Than Fishing
Wyoming’s outdoor heritage runs deep, and Free Fishing Day reflects a larger mission: making the outdoors accessible. For many children, these events may offer their very first fish, their first cast, or their first lesson in patience by the water.
In a state where blue-ribbon fisheries are part of the landscape, June 6 is less about regulations and more about connection — to family, to nature, and to Wyoming itself.
Before You Go
- No fishing license required on June 6 (except Yellowstone National Park and Wind River Reservation)
- All standard fishing regulations remain in effect
- Bring your own gear unless attending an event that provides equipment
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Check local event registration requirements, as some events have mandatory sign-ups
For Bighorn Basin families, this is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to kick off summer outdoors — a chance to swap screens for shorelines and discover why Wyoming remains one of America’s true fishing destinations.
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