Welcome to 2024 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing
2024 Free Fishing Days
Saturday, January 20
Saturday, June 1
Freshwater or saltwater fishing by angling only
NO LICENSE REQUIRED*
Resident or nonresident
All other regulations apply
* Anglers participating in fishing tournaments on Free Fishing Days must have a license.
Something for Everyone
Hello anglers! The best thing about fishing is that there is something for everyone, especially in New Hampshire. With 12,000 miles of rivers and streams and 975 lakes and ponds, there is great fishing to be had everywhere in the Granite State, and the relaxation and beautiful scenery that go with it can’t be beat.
We are very fortunate to have popular coldwater species of fish including lake trout, landlocked salmon, and brook, brown, and rainbow trout. But for those who prefer warmwater angling, New Hampshire offers small- and largemouth bass, pickerel, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch among others. A New Hampshire fishing license is one of the best deals around. You get a full year of outdoor recreation, and dinner too if you are successful! And don’t forget our free fishing days on January 20 and June 1 in 2024, when you do not need a license to fish in New Hampshire. Children under 16 always fish for free, so be sure to bring the kids. Single-day permits are available for New Hampshire residents and non-residents, and 1-, 3-, and 7-day fishing permits are available for non-residents.
Our hatchery staff stock over a million trout for your fishing enjoyment each year. We are continuing on with our hatchery modernization project and will be for the next several years so stay tuned for updates. Thanks to our Public Boat Access Program, guided by the Public Water Access Advisory Board, or PWAAB, there are more than 140 Fish and Game boat launch sites around the state. Construction and maintenance of these facilities is supported in part by the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program as is our stocking program.
So why not pass on the angling tradition. Or if you have never tried fishing, it is easy to learn and makes a great family activity. Thank you for your support, stay safe, and we’ll see you on the water!
Scott R. Mason
Executive Director
N.H. Fish and Game Department
