§ 4251 — Taking wild animals and fish; license

(a) Except as provided in sections 4253 and 4254b of this title, a person shall not take wild animals or fish without first having procured a license therefor; provided, however, that a person under 15 years of age may take fish in accordance with this part and regulations of the Board, without first having procured a license therefor.
(b) The Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife may designate two days each calendar year as “free fishing days” for which no license shall be required. One day shall occur in the open water fishing season and one day shall occur during the ice fishing season.
(c) The Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife may designate Labor Day weekend each year as “free mentored fishing weekend,” during which up to four unlicensed anglers aged 15 years or older can fish with one licensed angler throughout this three-day period.

Legislative History

(Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1989, No. 27; 1989, No. 36, § 4; 2013, No. 78, § 5; 2025, No. 47, § 8, eff. July 1, 2025.)