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Participate in a Learn to Fish Clinic
Learn how to fish for free at an upcoming sport fishing clinic organized and conducted by DEC and numerous other organizations. In addition to casting a rod and catching fish, participants can learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics, aquatic ecology, and more!
During these clinics no freshwater fishing license or enrollment in the recreational marine fishing registry is required*, but all other statewide freshwater fishing regulations and saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect (*Kids under 16 can always fish for free!).
Upcoming Clinic Events
Last updated on 9/26/2024: Check this page often as new events are added throughout the year.
Event | Date and Time | Location | City/Town | County | Event Organizer | Contact |
| Fishing at the Gantries | Saturdays, 9/28-10/26 (Except 10/12) 10AM-1PM | Gantry Plaza State Park (East River), Recreation Pier 4, 4-44 47th Rd, Queens, NY 11101 | Queens | Queens | NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation | For details and registration, visit the event page. |
| DEC Fishing Event for Hispanic Heritage Month | Saturday, 9/28/2024 1PM-2PM | LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park, 101 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 | Brooklyn | Kings | DEC | DEC Region 2 Fisheries: [email protected] No registration required. Event is first come, first served and space is limited. Instruction will be in both English and Spanish |
| DEC Pop-Up Fishing Clinic for Beginner Anglers at Prospect Park | Saturday, 9/28/2024 2PM-3PM | LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park, 101 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 | Brooklyn | Kings | DEC | DEC Region 2 Fisheries: [email protected] No registration required. Event is first come, first served and space is limited. |
| DEC Pop-Up Fishing Clinic – Beyond the Bobber at Prospect Park | Saturday, 9/28/2024 3:30PM-5PM | LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park, 101 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 | Brooklyn | Kings | DEC | DEC Region 2 Fisheries: [email protected] Anglers should have basic skills of casting and knot tying to participate in this event. Registration required. For more event details and to register, visit the DEC EventBrite site. |
| Learn to Fish Clinic at Elma Conservation Club National Hunting and Fishing Day Event | Saturday, 9/28/2024 10AM-3PM | Elma Conservation Club, 600 Creek Road, Elma, NY 14059 | Elma | Erie | DEC and Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Club, Inc. | DEC Region 9 Fisheries: [email protected] This clinic is part of the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Club for National Hunting and Fishing Day Event. |
| Fishing Day at Six Mile Waterworks for National Hunting and Fishing Day | Saturday, 9/28/2024 3PM-7PM | Rensselaer Lake (Six Mile Waterworks), 135 Fuller Rd., Albany, NY 12205 | Albany | Albany | Bangladeshi American Foundation of Albany (BAFA) | Bangladeshi American Foundation of Albany: Sohel Ahmed at 347-324-4844 or Zabed Manir at 518-932-2041 |
| Sportsmen’s Day at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery | Saturday, 9/28 and Sunday, 9/29 11AM-5PM | Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge, NY 13060 | Elbridge | Onondaga | Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs | For more details, visit the Onondaga County Parks Events website. |
| Rod and Reel at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5 | Saturday, 10/5/2024 10AM-1PM | Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5 (East River), 1 Brooklyn Bridge Park Dr., Brooklyn, NY 11201 | Brooklyn | Kings | Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy | Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, 718-802-0603 For more details, visit the Brooklyn Bridge Park website. |
| Take the Bait: Free Fishing Clinic at East River Park | Saturday, 10/5/2024 10AM-12PM | East River Park, 1234 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10009 | New York | New York | Lower East Side Ecology Center | For event details and registration, visit the Lower East Side Ecology Center website. |
| Let’s Go Fishing at Stuy Cove Park | Thursday, 10/10/2024 5PM-6:30PM | Stuy Cove Park, 24-20 FDR Drive Service Rd, New York, NY 10010 | New York | New York | Lower East Side Ecology Center | For event details and registration, visit the Lower East Side Ecology Center website. |
| Hempstead Lake Fall Festival | Saturday, 10/19/2024 10AM-4PM | Hempstead Lake State Park, 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead, NY 11552 | West Hempstead | Nassau | DEC | DEC Region 1 Fisheries: [email protected] |
| Take the Bait: Free Fishing Clinic at East River Park | Saturday, 11/16/2024 9AM-11AM | East River Park, 1234 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10009 | New York | New York | Lower East Side Ecology Center | For event details and registration, visit the Lower East Side Ecology Center website. |
Check the DEC Events Calendar and the HuntFishNY Events site for other outdoor and educational fish or wildlife events for you and your family to enjoy.
Apply to Conduct or Co-host a Clinic
Formal groups or organizations can host a free fishing clinic by completing and submitting an application. Details on how to apply along with the rules for running a clinic are available in the following applications.
Conduct a Free Fishing Clinic Applications:
- Free Fishing Clinic Application For the Public or Organized Groups (PDF)
- Free Fishing Clinic Application For Veterans and Active-Duty Members of U.S Armed Forces (PDF)
Other Helpful Information
Free Fishing Days/Weekends
Take advantage of NY's free fishing days designated during several dates throughout the year; no recreational fishing license is required to fish these days!
Fishing Rod Loaner Program
Rent fishing rods, bobbers, and hooks from public libraries and parks; offers a great opportunity while you learn how to fish without needing to purchase your own fishing equipment!
I FISH NY Beginner's Guide to Freshwater Fishing
Learn about all the basics of fishing in this helpful how-to guide.
Fishing Skills
Browse through helpful information on getting started in fishing and how to improve your fishing skills.
Project Healing Waters
Free fishing opportunities for veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces.