Enjoy FREE Fishing Weekend in Kentucky!  June 6 – 7, 2026- No fishing license is required in the state for all ages.

Every year, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers Free Fishing Days to all anglers, regardless of whether they live in the state or are just visiting. Free fishing weekend in 2026 is June 6-7. During this weekend, permits and fishing licenses are not required. All other regulations, including size limits and the number of fish you can keep, still apply.​

It doesn’t matter whether you’re visiting from outside the state or you live in Kentucky.  It’s a great time to grab a fishing pole and enjoy spending time with family and friends at the state’s beautiful lakes, streams and rivers. The free fishing weekend is open to all. You won’t need a fishing license or a trout permit. Just make sure you still follow the size and number limits on what you catch.  ​

Need help getting started? Go to the Learn to Fish page for instructional videos covering gear, tying knots, and preparing a fish for the table.

Don’t know where to fish? Click Fishin​g to access the fishing forecast for tips and places to try, including the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FIN​​s) lakes. FINs offer dozens of easily accessible, especially stocked lakes near population centers throughout the state. Many locations host special fishing events during free fishing days.

Take along a fishing pole if you’re exploring a river or stream in a kayak that weekend. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Blue Water Trails series profiles a number of adventures throughout the state and gives you advice about how to catch fish along the way.

“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.

*Residents + Nonresidents
*Statewide, public + private waters (landowner permission still required on private property)
*Daily catch, fish size & other limits still apply

Free Fishing Weekend Events for Saturday June 6, 2026

Every year, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers free fishing days to all anglers regardless of whether they live in the state or are just visiting. Free fishing weekend in 2026 is June 6-7. During this weekend, permits and fishing licenses are not required. All other regulations, including those for size limits and the number of fish that you can keep, still apply. Following are some free fishing events being offered in Kentucky on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Bullitt County: Family Fishing Days at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, 2075 Clermont Road, Clermont. Fishing from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Eastern) on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026. All lakes and ponds open to children and adults. No registration needed. Cost is free, $15 recommended donation per car, for non-members. No equipment provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and anglers should only fish on designated banks. Catch and release only.

Campbell County: Youth Fishing Derby, Alexandria Community Park, 3965 Alexandria Dr., Alexandria, Ky. Fishing from 10 a.m. – noon (Eastern). For kids 14 and younger. Free lunch and free t-shirt while supplies last. Prizes. Kids should bring their own fishing equipment and bait.

Daviess County: Take A Kid Fishing Day, Panther Creek Park, Whispering Winds Shelter, 5160 Wayne Bridge Rd, Owensboro. Registration at 8 a.m. (Central) Fishing starts at 9 a.m. Open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Lunch and door prizes awarded at 11 a.m. Bring your own bait and fishing equipment own equipment. For more information, call (270) 685-1707, ext. 3.

Fayette County: Cops and Bobbers fishing event, Gainesway Park Fishing Pond, 3495 Campus Way, Lexington, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hosted by Lexington Police Department. Fishing equipment provided. Face painting and free lunch.

Franklin County: Family Fishing Day, headquarters campus of the KentuckyDepartment of Fish and Wildlife, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort. Upper Sportsman’s Lake (adjacent to main headquarters building; largest lake on campus) open for youths 15 and younger only from 8 a.m. – noon (Eastern). Lake open to everyone to fish after noon. Bring your own bait; limited number of fishing poles will be available. Drawing for prizes. New Harvest Assembly of God church will provide free hotdogs, chips, water and popsicles while supplies last. Upper Sportsman’s Lake will close Friday, June 5; the lake will reopen for the fishing event the following day. Lower Sportsman’s Lake will remain open the entire time to all anglers.

Hopkins County: 26th Annual Kiwanis Take A Kid Fishing Day, Madisonville City Park Lake, 1950 Park Rd., Madisonville. Sponsored by the Madisonville Noon Kiwanis Club. Fishing tournament for kids 15 and under from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. An adult must accompany each child. Bring your own pole and bait. Only one pole per child. Online pre-registration available at the Madisonville Noon Kiwanis Club’s Facebook page.

Johnson County: Casting With Kids, Paintsville Lake State Park, 1551 KY 2275 Staffordsville. Three events over two days. Every child will receive a free fishing pole, bucket and T-shirt. Billed as the nation’s biggest free kid’s tournament. Friday, June 5: Fishing for kids with special needs from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Registration begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6: two events, fishing for younger kids, kayak fishing for older youth. First event: open to all kids ages 4-12. Onsite sign-up and registration from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Weigh-in for catches from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Second event: Kylie’s Kids Fishing Tournament for kayaks, for ages 13-18. Must bring own kayak; use Paintsville Lake’s new kayak launch. See the Casting for Kids Facebook site for more details.

Kenton County: Kid’s Fishing Derby, Middleton-Mills Park, 3415 Mills Rd., Covington. For kids of all ages, from 9 a.m. – noon (Eastern). Fishing gear and bait available. Prizes awarded throughout the event. Concessions available for purchase. Presented by Kenton County Parks and Recreation in partnership with Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Schack’s Yaks’ Bait Shack.

Laurel County: Kid’s Fishing Derby, Laurel-London Optimist Club, Optimist Camp Road, London. For kids ages 5-15. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. (Eastern) Fishing from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided afterward. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Bring fishing gear and bait. Prizes for biggest fish, smallest fish and most weight. Located off Hal Rogers Parkway near mile marker 7; look for signs and turn opposite from Watkins Road. Located at the former Laurel River Baptist Association Camp. Call (606) 516-1909 for more information.

Madison County: Kid’s Fishing Derby, Lake Reba Park (boat dock area), 299 Lake Reba Drive, Richmond. Registration begins at 8 a.m. (Eastern) Fishing from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. For children 16 and under. Bring your own fishing equipment. For more information, call (859) 623-8753 or email parksandrec@richmond.ky.gov.

McCracken County: Noble Park Fish Out, Lake Gerry Montgomery in Noble Park, 2801 Park Ave., Paducah. For kids ages 5-12. Free registration begins at 7:30 a.m. (Central) at Shelter 10 (across the road from Noble Park Pool). Fish from 8 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Catch and release tournament, ask a staff member to measure and record the fish one at a time. Limited amount fishing equipment and bait available from Paducah Parks and Recreation; anglers should bring their own gear and bait if they have it. Awards for longest fish and most fish caught.

McCreary County: Barren Fork Horse Camp, located behind Stearns Ranger Station, 3320 U.S. 27 North, Whitley City. Registration begins at 7 a.m. (Eastern) with fishing from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. For ages 5-15. Prizes and free hot dog lunch. An adult must accompany children. Participants must bring their own fishing poles, bait and equipment. Call (606) 376-5323 for more information.

Menifee County: Kids Fishing Event, East Fork Indian Creek, Red River Gorge area. Fishing in the creek from 9 a.m. (Eastern) until noon for kids 5-15. Register onsite from 8 a.m.to 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult; one pole per child. Drawing for registered participants at end of event. Adults may fish after the event. From Slade, take Campton Road north to Nada Tunnel Road. Take Nada Tunnel Road to N Fork Road. Take a left on to N Fork Road and follow the Red River to Indian Creek Road. Turn right onto Indian Creek Road, continue for half a mile to the Derby Field parking area on the left. Contact the Cumberland Ranger District at 606-784-6428 for more information.

Montgomery County: Smith Family Fishing in the Park, Easy Walker Park Lake, 1395 Osborne Road, Mt Sterling. Registration begins at 8 a.m. (Eastern). First cast begins at 9 a.m. For kids ages 15 and under. Kids must cast and reel themselves. Bring your own pole. Limited bait available, bringing your own suggested. Prizes for biggest fish, smallest fish and most weight. No catfish will be weighed.

Oldham County: Eagle Creek Golf Course, 2820 South Highway 53, LaGrange. Sponsored by La Grange Parks and Recreation. Event from 10 a.m.- noon. Bring your own pole and bait.

Oldham County: Wilborn Park, L&N Lake, 299 Lakeshore Drive, LaGrange. Sponsored by La Grange Parks and Recreation. Event from 10 a.m.- noon. Bring your own pole and bait.

Rowan County: Cave Run Kids Fishing Derby, presented by Teach Me Outdoors, Inc.  Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, 120 Fish Hatchery Rd. Morehead. This is one of the biggest fishing events in Kentucky for kids; online registration accepted through 9 p.m. (Eastern) May 31 by clicking here. Some walk-up anglers may be accepted on the day of the event until capacity is reached. Gates open at 6 a.m.  For kids ages 15 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Limited poles and bait provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own bait and equipment. Event features three ponds stocked with various fish, including trout and catfish. Several raffles, each kid gets a small gift.

Russell County: Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery’s 38th Annual Catch A Rainbow Kid’s Fishing Derby, 50 Kendall Rd., Jamestown. Registration begins at 8 a.m. (Central), with fishing from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. for kids up to age 15. Fishing times allotted by age, with youngest anglers going first. Anglers older than 4 should bring their own fishing equipment and bait; kiddie fishing pool available from 9 a.m. until noon for children under 5, with fishing equipment provided. Fly rods not permitted during this event. This is one of the largest kids fishing events in Kentucky, with as many as 1,500 kids fishing throughout the day. Presented by Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and The Friends of Wolf Creek NFH. Call (270) 343-3797 for more information. 

Trigg County: Take A Kid Fishing Day, West Cadiz City Park, South Jefferson Street, Cadiz. For ages 3-15. Registration starts at 8 a.m. (Central). Fishing will be from 9 a.m. until noon. Lunch, t-shirts and goody bags provided. Registration forms available at Cadiz City Hall and John L. Street Library. Limited number of fishing poles available, participants encouraged to bring their own gear. No buckets allowed.

Wayne County: Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs Kids Fishing Derby, Cave Lake Event Park, located off Cave Lake Road Circle, Monticello. Free event for youth residents of Wayne County. Fishing times divided by age; participants should register at least 30 minutes before fishing time. Fishing (all times are Eastern) schedule: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. for ages 3-6; 10:30am-11:30 a.m. for ages 7-12; noon for ages 13 through high school age. Adults may fish for $10. Prizes, lunch provided. Bring your own fishing pole, tackle, bait, drinking water and chair. Organized by Operation UNITE, Wayne County Defensive Action Against Drugs (DAAD), WCHS Casting Cardinals and the Wayne County Summer Food Program. For additional information, call (606) 348-7168 or (606) 348-7330.

 

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