It doesn’t matter where you are in the United States or Canada; fishing is a priority. It’s been a way of survival and entertainment for thousands of years. As years have progressed, fishing regulations have tightened, so it can be confusing to know what is allowed or not.
Fishing is legal all-year round across all of the United States and provinces in Canada. However, many states/provinces have specific regulations on when anglers can target and keep certain fish species. Different fish can be targeted and kept during spring, summer and fall.
It’s important for anglers to closely follow the rules and regulations the states and provinces set. These rules keep the fish populations healthy and allow us to enjoy the sport for years to come. Look at the following regulations to learn what’s legal in your state or province.
United States Fishing Seasons Beginning and End
Across the United States, you won’t find a state that you cannot fish in throughout the year. However, ensure you pay close attention to what fish you can target and keep.
1. Alabama
Alabama anglers can enjoy both freshwater and saltwater angling all year. The main restriction for anglers is Red Snapper.
The Red Snapper season begins the Friday before Memorial Day, and anglers can fish for them between Friday and Monday until the state quota, set yearly by the NOAA, is met.
2. Alaska
Anglers are allowed to fish year-round in Alaska. Salmon and steelhead run throughout the year, so pay attention to those specific times! Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
3. Arizona
Arizona fishing is open year-round except for parts of the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim that are closed from January 1 to April 30.
4. Arkansas
Arkansas is open year-round for freshwater fishing. Anglers cannot take Alligator Gar over 36 inches from May 1- July 1
5. California
Fishing is generally open year-round for anglers in California willing to wade and walk. Freshwater boat season is from March through December.
Saltwater anglers aren’t allowed in the Northern Groundfish Management Area, Mendocino Groundfish Management Area, San Francisco Groundfish Management Area, Central Groundfish Management Area, and Southern Groundfish Management area from January 1 to March 31.
California Fishing Regulations
6. Colorado
Colorado fisheries are open year-round for artificial flies and live bait. Unless the fishery is posted or marked, you’re free to fish whenever you would like.
7. Connecticut
Fishing in Connecticut is legal year-round in Connecticut lakes and ponds. Streams can be fished from April through February. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
Connecticut Fishing Regulations
8. Delaware
The Delaware fishing season runs year-round, including non-tidal and freshwater fish. These are limited somewhere between January 1 and October 31.
The only exceptions are Winter Flounder, Tilefish, Tautog, Black Sea Bass, and various shark species.
9. Florida
The Florida fishing season lasts all year round. This includes both saltwater and freshwater. Certain saltwater species’ regulations change from year-to-year.
10. Georgia
The Georgia fishing season lasts all year round. This includes all types of freshwater fishing. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
11. Hawaii
The Hawaii fishing season lasts the entire year. However, anglers cannot do any bottom fishing until further notice to improve marine life.
12. Idaho
The fishing season in Idaho lasts the entire year. The only restrictions are on steelhead. This season is closed from May to June across the whole state.
13. Illinois
Illinois fishing is open year-round for anglers. Trout are the main restricted fish. They can be targeted starting mid-March each year, and the season ends in November.
14. Indiana
The Indiana fishing season lasts the entire year with few restrictions. The restrictions are subject to change each year.
15. Iowa
The Iowa fishing season lasts the entire year except for a few restrictions. Paddlefish can be targeted from February through April. The Okoboji Lakes Walleye season is from May to February 15.
16. Kansas
The Kansas fishing season lasts the entire year except for trout. The trout season is from November to mid-April.
17. Kentucky
Kentucky anglers can fish the entire year. Depending on the year, specific trout streams are closed throughout portions of the season.
18. Louisiana
Freshwater fishing in Louisiana is open year-round. Saltwater seasons and regulations change year by year.
19. Maine
The Maine fishing season is open year-round except for a few restrictions. The North Zone ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes are closed from October to March.
Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
20. Maryland
The Maryland fishing season is the entire year. Largemouth and smallmouth bass season is from mid-June through February. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
21. Massachusetts
Massachusetts anglers can fish all year round. Depending on the year, certain saltwater fish are off-limits for a portion of the season.
Massachusetts Fishing Regulations
22. Michigan
The Michigan season is the entire year. The catch-and-release regulations are non-existent, but certain possession limits do apply.
23. Minnesota
The Minnesota fishing season is year-round. The smallmouth and largemouth season is from mid-May to December 31. Catch-and-release for bass is open year-round.
24. Mississippi
Mississippi fishing is open all year for anglers.
Mississippi Fishing Regulations
25. Missouri
The Missouri fishing season is the entire year. Paddlefish are only able to be targeted from March through April.
26. Montana
The Montana fishing season is open for the entire year.
27. Nebraska
Nebraska anglers can enjoy their waters for the entire year. Minimal restrictions apply for snagging.
28. Nevada
Nevada anglers can fish all year long. The lakes, rivers, and streams have no restrictions on when they can be fished.
29. New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Fishing season is open year-round, besides a few restrictions. Lake Trout can be targeted from January through September.
The landlocked salmon season is from April through September. All other river and stream fishing is open from January to October. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
New Hampshire Fishing Regulations
30. New Jersey
The New Jersey fishing season is open all year round. Certain saltwater restrictions apply depending on the year and the fish counts.
New Jersey Fishing Regulations
31. New Mexico
The New Mexico fishing season is open for the entire year. All lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds can be accessed from January 1 to December 31.
New Mexico Fishing Regulations
32. New York
The New York fishing season is open for the year with a few restrictions. Trout, landlocked salmon, and kokanee seasons are from April to October.
Black bass is open from June to November. Muskie season is from May to November, and Northern Pike is open from May to March.
33. North Carolina
The North Carolina fishing season is open the entire year except for trout and certain saltwater species depending on the year. That season is from mid-April to February.
North Carolina Fishing Regulations
34. North Dakota
The North Dakota fishing season is open the entire year.
North Dakota Fishing Regulations
35. Ohio
The Ohio fishing season lasts for the entire year.
36. Oklahoma
The Oklahoma fishing season is open for anglers all year long.
37. Oregon
The Oregon fishing season is the entire year, with certain restrictions on saltwater species depending on the year.
38. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is open for anglers the entire year with a few restrictions. Trout and salmon can be targeted from April through September.
In lakes, bass fishing is available from January through mid-February and September through December. In streams, bass fishing is open from January to April and November through December.
Walleye restrictions apply from January through March and May through December.
Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations
39. Rhode Island
The Rhode Island fishing season is open for the entire year with trout restrictions. The trout season is open from April to November and December to February.
Rhode Island Fishing Regulations
40. South Carolina
The South Carolina fishing season is open for the entire year. Both freshwater and saltwater seasons are open for anglers. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
South Carolina Fishing Regulations
41. South Dakota
The South Dakota fishing season is open for the entire year.
South Dakota Fishing Regulations
42. Tennessee
The Tennessee fishing season is open for the entire year.
43. Texas
The Texas fishing season is open for the entire year. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
44. Utah
The Utah fishing season lasts the entire year.
45. Vermont
The Vermont fishing season is open year-round! Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
46. Virginia
The Virginia fishing season is open year-round. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
47. Washington
The Washington fishing season is open year-round. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
Washington Fishing Regulations
48. West Virginia
The West Virginia fishing season is open year-round. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
West Virginia Fishing Regulations
49. Wisconsin
The Wisconsin fishing season is open year-round. The trout season is from January to April and May through October.
50. Wyoming
The Wyoming fishing season is open year-round.
Canadian Province Fishing Seasons Beginning and End
1. Alberta
The Alberta fishing season for lakes is open year-round. Most streams are open from May 15 to March 31. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
2. British Columbia
The British Columbia fishing season is open year-round. Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
British Columbia Fishing Regulations
3. Manitoba
The Manitoba fishing season is open year-round for anglers.
4. New Brunswick
Fishing season in New Brunswick is open year-round! Certain saltwater restrictions are in place depending on the year.
New Brunswick Fishing Regulations
5. Newfoundland/Labrador
The Newfoundland and Labrador fishing season is open year-round except for a few saltwater fishing regulations that change yearly.
Newfoundland/Labrador Fishing Regulations
6. Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia fishing season is open the entire year, with a few saltwater fishing regulations changing yearly.
Nova Scotia Fishing Regulations
7. Ontario
The Ontario fishing season is open all year.
8. Prince Edward Island
With rotating saltwater restrictions, the Prince Edward Island fishing season is open for the entire year.
Prince Edward Island Fishing Regulations
9. Quebec
The fishing season in Quebec is open for the entire year.
10. Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan fishing season is open for anglers all year.
Saskatchewan Fishing Regulations
Conclusion
The more anglers who follow the rules and regulations of fishing seasons, the better off all of Canada’s and the United States’ fish populations will be.
It takes a concerted effort from each one of us to take these laws seriously and work to improve the fishing culture and help sustain it for the years to come.
Before you head to the water, make sure you know the rules and regulations surrounding the fish species you’re trying to target.
The closer you pay attention, the better your success and the less trouble you’ll find.