2026 Free Fishing Days By State and more...

Looking for the 2026 Free Fishing Days by state?

These are the official days when families can fish without a fishing license. It’s one of the best free summer activities for kids, families, and beginners.

Whether you’re introducing your children to fishing for the first time or planning a fun family outing, Free Fishing Days are a great way to enjoy nature together.

What Are Free Fishing Days?

Free Fishing Days are special dates designated by state wildlife agencies that allow people to fish without purchasing a fishing license. These events are designed to encourage beginners, children, and families to enjoy fishing and spend time outdoors together.

Free Fishing Days

This year Michigan has chosen February 15-16 and June 7-8, 2026 to be our FREE Fishing weekends.

Below you’ll find all participating states and their official Free Fishing Day dates so you can plan your fishing trip this year.

This is a wonderful way to introduce your children to the love of fishing and a great frugal summer fun activity.

My husband and kids have spent many hours together fishing and creating memories that will last long into adulthood.

Why Fishing Creates Lasting Family Memories

One of the things I love most about fishing is how simple it is. You don’t need expensive entertainment or elaborate plans to create meaningful memories together.

Some of my favorite moments with my family have happened near the water, talking, laughing, and waiting for that first fish to bite.

Free Fishing Days are such a wonderful opportunity to unplug from screens, enjoy the outdoors, and spend quality time together without spending a lot of money.

Why Families Love Free Fishing Days

Fishing is one of the most affordable ways for families to spend time together outdoors. Many adults who love fishing today first learned as children, and Free Fishing Days make it easy to introduce the next generation to the hobby.

Whether you’re fishing from a dock, a riverbank, or a local lake, these weekends are a fun way to slow down, unplug from screens, and make memories together.

Also, I do suggest that you check your state’s Department of Natural Resources to verify the dates, and make sure there aren’t any additional stipulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Fishing Days

Can you fish without a license on Free Fishing Days?

Yes! During Free Fishing Days, participating states allow residents and sometimes non-residents to fish without purchasing a fishing license.

Do children need a fishing license?

Most states do not require young children to have a fishing license, but age requirements vary by state.

Are fishing regulations still enforced?

Yes. Size limits, catch limits, and other fishing regulations still apply even during Free Fishing Days.

Do Free Fishing Days include state park entry?

Some states waive park entrance fees while others only waive the fishing license requirement. Always check your state’s Department of Natural Resources website for details.

Can non-residents fish for free?

Some states allow both residents and visitors to fish for free, but you should always check your state’s Department of Natural Resources website for details.

What to Bring on a Free Fishing Day

If this is your family’s first fishing trip, here are a few basics to bring:

• Fishing poles and tackle
• Live bait or lures
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Folding chairs
• Snacks and drinks
• Small cooler
• Towels
• Hats and sunglasses

Keeping things simple makes fishing much more enjoyable for beginners and kids.

More Summer Fun Ideas You’ll Love

Fishing is such a fun way to slow down and make memories together. If you’re planning family adventures this summer, here are a few more budget-friendly ideas to enjoy together:

• Summer Bucket List Ideas
• Cheap Family Fun Activities
• Camping Food Ideas
• Tips for Road Trips with Children
• Free Summer Planner

    

Looking for a fun, healthy, and completely FREE activity for your teen this summer?

The Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Program is back, and teens ages 14–19 can work out FREE all summer long from June 1 through August 31!

This is such a great opportunity for teens to stay active, build healthy habits, boost confidence, and have something productive to do during summer break, without parents having to spend a fortune on memberships or activities.

What Is the Planet Fitness Free Summer Pass?

Every summer, Planet Fitness offers teens a chance to use participating gym locations completely FREE through their High School Summer Pass program.

Eligible teens can work out at Planet Fitness locations from:

June 1 – August 31, 2026

And this year there’s an extra perk: Teens who sign up can also enjoy 20% off Gymshark gear while supplies and promotions last.

Who Qualifies?

Teens age 14–19 years old.

Parents should note:

• Teens under 18 may need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver during registration.
• Rules can vary slightly by location, so it’s always smart to check with your local club.

What Teens Can Do at Planet Fitness

The Summer Pass gives teens access to tons of workout equipment and fitness options, including:

• Cardio machines
• Treadmills
• Ellipticals
• Strength equipment
• Free weights (depending on location)
• Circuit training areas

It’s a great way for teens to:

• Stay active during summer break
• Build confidence
• Reduce stress
• Create healthy routines
• Meet fitness goals before sports seasons start

And honestly? Sometimes teens just need somewhere positive to go during the summer months.

Why Parents Love This Freebie

Summer activities can get expensive FAST.

Between camps, sports, movies, snacks, and outings, costs really add up. That’s why this free summer gym membership is such an awesome deal for families.

Here are a few reasons parents love this program:

• Completely FREE
• Encourages healthy habits
• Gives teens something productive to do
• Indoor activity for rainy or super hot days
• Can help teens build confidence and consistency

If you’ve been considering a gym membership for yourself too, be sure to check out my full guide to Planet Fitness membership options and pricing.

Not sure if Planet Fitness is right for you? Parents can also grab a free Planet Fitness day pass here to try out the gym before committing to a membership.

How to Sign Up

Signing up is simple!

Just visit the official registration page here: Planet Fitness Summer Pass Pre-Registration

Choose your local participating club and complete the registration process online.

Tips for Teens Using the Summer Pass

If your teen is new to the gym, here are a few simple tips:

• Start slow
• Stay hydrated
• Wear comfortable workout clothes
• Don’t compare yourself to others
• Focus on consistency instead of perfection
• Bring headphones and make it fun

Even walking on a treadmill for 20–30 minutes a few times a week is a great start!

More Fitness & Healthy Living Posts

• Planet Fitness Membership Options & Pricing Guide
• 10 Ways to Drastically Cut Costs at the Gym
• Ways to Save Money on Healthy Foods
• How to Meet Your Health Goals
• How to Try Weight Watchers Free
• FREE Healthy Habits Tracker

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love seeing companies offer programs that help families save money while encouraging healthy habits.

If you have a teen at home, this is definitely worth checking out for the summer. FREE activities that help kids stay active and confident are always a win in my book!

And the bonus 20% off Gymshark is a pretty fun extra, too.

    

Looking for a fun way to keep your kids reading this summer without spending a fortune? The Good and the Beautiful is offering their FREE Summer Reading Program again, and it’s such a great way to encourage reading while school is out.

Families can grab free books for their children while supplies last.

Each pack includes a book, reading log, bookmark, and stickers for grades K–6. Limit one per child.

What Is Included?

The program is designed to help kids stay excited about reading all summer long with:

• Free books for kids
• Reading charts and bookmarks
• Encouragement to build healthy reading habits
• Wholesome, family friendly book options

The Good and the Beautiful is known for offering clean, uplifting, and character building books and curriculum for families.

Why I Love This Offer

Summer reading programs can get expensive fast, especially if you have multiple kids. I love finding ways to keep learning fun without blowing the budget, and this is one of those deals that feels like a total win.

A few reasons this is worth checking out:

• Encourages kids to read more during summer break
• Gives families affordable access to quality books
• Helps reduce screen time
• Makes a great boredom buster for long summer days
• Perfect for homeschool families or anyone wanting extra learning at home

Don’t Wait Too Long

These free book offers are available while supplies last, so you may want to grab yours sooner rather than later.

Please note that each pack costs $1.99 to ship but this is such a great price for the pack you’re receiving.

More Free Summer Programs for Kids

• Free Bowling for Kids
• Frugal & Fun Things to Do in the Summer
• Free Schools Out Summer Planner
• Free Gardening Kit for Kids
• Free Summer Bucket List

    

Looking for a simple way to get more value from everyday purchases? AARP just launched a fantastic offer that’s too good to pass up, even if you don’t fall into the 50+ crowd.

Right now, a full year of AARP membership is just $11 per year!

That works out to just $0.92 a month, and you’re instantly earning back a third of that investment with the gift card.

How to Get this Deal:

1. Go to the AARP page and pick the gift card you want.
2. Choose “Join” if you’re new, or “Renew” if you’re already a member.
3. Fill in your details—including selecting the one-year plan and agreeing to auto-renew (don’t worry, you can cancel later).
4. Complete payment.

What really makes this deal smart is that it’s open to anyone age 18+, not just seniors.

Membership comes with some impressive perks, such as:

• $40 off Walmart+
• Discounts on travel, hotels, car rentals, and cruises
• Up to 15% off at restaurants like Outback, Jamba Juice, Moe’s, and more
• Savings on prescriptions, eyeglasses, gas, and everyday shopping
• Free subscription to AARP The Magazine, fraud protection tools, driver safety courses, travel guides, and more!

If you’ve ever wondered whether AARP could offer real value for you or your family this deal is a low risk way to find out.

Even if you only use one or two of the discounts, you’re already getting your money’s worth.

Ready to snag the deal? Head over to AARP now to join for $11 before it’s gone.

    

I love this offer for FREE Wildflower Seeds that you can grab today!

That’s right! You can request free flower seeds today and have them ready to plant once spring arrives.

Attract Pollinators

Using your flower seeds is a great way to help attract pollinators like butterflies and honey bees to your area.

In the past 5 years, bee and butterfly have declined remarkably.

Saving these creatures is imperative to humankind since approximately 75% of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we eat are courtesy of pollinators.

Be sure to scroll down for more info on how to use your free seeds to attract pollinators to your gardens or simply to enjoy the beauty of the flowers.

Free Flower Seeds

I’ll share all of the free seed offers I find with you below.

National Geographic is offering free seeds to help protect pollinators.

Make sure to request one of these FREE Packet of Seeds from World Wildlife Federation.

You can also request a FREE Seed Paper Heart.

These plants are the perfect ones to add to your Bee Friendly Garden too.

I always like to plant the milkweed because my honeybees LOVE those flowers.

Get your free seed packet today and then when they arrive you can plant and support pollinator health in your own neighborhood.

What else can you do?

• Plant a Pollinator Garden
• Avoid using pesticides in your garden.
• Leave them alone – bees won’t harm you if left unprovoked and butterflies should never be captured.
• Buy local and eat more organic, pesticide-free foods to encourage healthy agriculture.
• Purchase local honey prepared by local beekeepers.- Encourage your local council to implement pollinator – friendly policies and to maintain and enhance pollinator habitats.

Request your FREE Seeds today!

Check out this post I shared all about my new bee house and why it is so important that we continue to plant healthy things!