Enjoy FREE Fishing Weekend in Kentucky!  June 4 – 5th – No fishing license is required in the state for all ages.

Free fishing weekend graphic

Every year Kentucky offers free fishing days the first weekend in June (June 4-5, 2022). On free fishing days no license (including the Kentucky trout permit) is required of residents or non-residents to fish any Kentucky waters. All other fishing regulations remain in effect. Free fishing days are offered to promote fishing and National Fishing Week.

“Free fishing weekend is a great tool for teaching kids how to fish,” said John Gutzeit, aquatic education coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “This is also a great time for those lapsed anglers who’ve gotten away from fishing to get fishing again and come back into the fold.”

Anglers across Kentucky may fish without a fishing license or need a trout permit on Free Fishing Weekend. Size and creel limits still apply during this time.

*No Fishing License or Trout Permit required
*Residents + Nonresidents
*Statewide, public + private waters (landowner permission still required on private property)
*Daily catch, fish size & other limits still apply

-Fishing Regulations: https://go.usa.gov/xmsG5

Need help getting started? Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ website at fw.ky.gov and type, “Learn to Fish,” in the search box. Here you’ll find instructional videos covering knot tying and preparing a fish for the table.

Don’t know where to fish? Click the “Fishing” tab on the department website to access the annual fishing forecast for great tips and places to try.

The fishing page also includes a link to the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) lakes. FINs offers dozens of easily accessible, specially stocked lakes near population centers throughout the state.

Minor Clark Free Fishing Day Photo

Special Events

Want to take the kids or grandkids fishing but still not quite sure where to go?  Considering dropping by one of the following free fishing events on Saturday, June 4.  All listed times listed are local.

Bullitt County

Youth Fishing Derby

Horticulture Area Road

Shepherdsville, Ky.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Directions: From I-65 at Exit 112, turn onto KY 245; right onto Horticulture Area Road. (Near Bernheim Forest, across from Jim Beam Distillery)

Campbell County

Alexandria Community Park

3965 Alexandra Drive

Alexandra, Ky.

10 a.m.-noon

Ages 14 and under

Free lunch and T-shirt while supplies last

Clay County

Daniel Boone National Forest

Little Double Creek Pond

Pond located behind Redbird District Office

91 Peabody Road

Big Creek, Ky.

9 a.m.-noon

Ages 3-15

Register onsite beginning at 8 a.m.

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Daviess County

Take a Kid Fishing Event

Panther Creek Park Lake

5160 Wayne Bridge Road

Owensboro, Ky.

Ages 3-15

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Fishing from 9-11 a.m.

Registration opens at 8 a.m.

Bring your own fishing pole; limited loaner equipment and bait available

Door prizes; grand prize for catching tagged fish

Hot dog, chips, water provided for participants

Franklin County

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Headquarters

1 Sportsman’s Lane

Frankfort, Ky.

Upper lake next to main building open to kids ages 15 and younger from 9 a.m.-noon; open to all ages afterward

Special stocking of fish Friday afternoon; upper lake closed from noon Friday until Saturday fishing event

Lower lake will remain open to all ages

Limited equipment and bait available on first-come, first-served basis

Kenton County

Kids Fishing Derby

Middleton-Mills Park

3415 Mills Road

Covington, Ky.

9 a.m.-noon

Kids of all ages

Catch and release tournament, prizes

Bait and equipment provided

Concessions sold at park

Laurel County

Laurel-London Optimist Club

KY 6266/Reed Road, just off the Hal Rogers Parkway, approximately 3½ miles east of the KY 192 intersection in London. Look for signs.

Ages 5-12

8:30-11:30 a.m.

Register onsite beginning at 7:30 a.m.

McCracken County

Noble Park Fish Out

Lake Gerry Montgomery

2801 Park Avenue

Paducah, Ky.

Catch and release

9-11 a.m.

Ages 5-12

Limited equipment and bait available

Goodie bags for first 75 kids registered

Prizes for fishing contest

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Noble Park Shelter 10

For more information: 270-444-8508

McCreary County

Kids Fishing Derby

Barren Fork Horse Campground

Barren Fork Road

Pond located 1 mile from Stearns District Office, 3320 U.S. 27N, Whitley City, Ky

8-11 a.m.

Ages 5-15 accompanied by an adult

Hot dog lunch and prizes

For more information: 606-376-5323, ext. 108

Montgomery County

Easy Walker Park Pond

1395 Osborne Road

Mt. Sterling, Ky.

Ages 15 and under

Registration begins at 8 a.m., first cast at 9 a.m.

Free hot dogs and drinks (while supplies last)

Prizes and casting contest

Rowan County

Cave Run Kids Fishing Derby

Minor Clark Fish Hatchery

120 Fish Hatchery Road

Morehead, Ky.

Ages 15 and under

Online registration through 6 p.m. (EDT) on May 31: https://bit.ly/3NbCoEw

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Grounds open at 6 a.m., fishing from 7-11 a.m.

Note: Some walk-ups will be accepted on the day of the event until capacity is reached

Russell County

Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby

Hatchery Creek at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery

50 Kendall Road

Jamestown, Ky.

9 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Up to 15 years old; times staggered for different ages

Kids 5 and up must provide own equipment; no fly rods

Kiddie pool fishing with equipment provided for kids under 5, 9 a.m.-noon

Register at location 30 minutes in advance

For more information: www.friendsofwolfcreeknfh.com

Trigg County

Kids Fishing Day at Land Between the Lakes

Golden Pond Visitor’s Center

238 Visitor Center Drive

Golden Pond, Ky.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fishing poles and bait provided

In addition to free fishing derbies for kids, no fee permit will be required to use Bee Rock Boat Ramp, Clear Creek Boat Ramp, or boat ramps outside of developed campgrounds at Cave Run Lake or Laurel River Lake on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. Public fishing at National Forest locations will not be permitted at derby locations from the day that fish are stocked until the end of the event. 


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