In Virginia, anglers aged 16 and older must have a valid fishing license to fish in freshwater or saltwater, with separate licenses available for each. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources manages all freshwater fishing licenses and regulations, while the Virginia Marine Resources Commission oversees saltwater fishing. Residents can purchase an annual freshwater license for $23.00, while non-residents pay $47.00. Several exemptions apply, including for children under 16, residents 65 and older for freshwater fishing, and landowners fishing on their own property. All licensed anglers must carry their license while fishing and present it upon request to enforcement officers.
Quick Reference: Virginia Fishing License
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Resident Annual Freshwater | $23.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Freshwater | $47.00 |
| Resident Annual Saltwater | $17.50 |
| Non-Resident Annual Saltwater | $25.00 |
| License Required Age | 16 and older |
| Youth Exempt | Under 16 |
| Senior Exempt | 65+ (freshwater only) |
| License Expiration | One year from date of purchase |
| Buy Online | Virginia DWR |
Who Needs a Virginia Fishing License?
Resident Requirements
Virginia residents aged 16 and older must purchase a fishing license before fishing in the state’s waters. To qualify as a resident, individuals must have been a domiciliary resident of Virginia for two or more months immediately prior to purchasing a license and must execute a certificate of residency. Members of the U.S. armed forces, their spouses, and dependents qualify as residents when the armed forces member resides in Virginia, is on active duty, and is stationed at a military base within Virginia or on a ship based in Virginia.
For county or city resident licenses, U.S. citizens must have been a bona fide resident of the city or county for six months immediately prior to purchase, or be a legal voter of that city or county. Students regularly enrolled in and boarding at a preparatory school or institution of higher education in Virginia may purchase a city or county license for the location where their school is situated upon presenting a certificate of enrollment.
Non-Resident Requirements
Non-residents aged 16 and older must obtain a non-resident fishing license to fish in Virginia waters. Non-resident children under 16 are exempt from license requirements and do not need a trout license. All non-residents must carry their license while fishing and present it immediately upon request of enforcement officers or landowners.
Virginia Fishing License Types and Prices
Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| State Freshwater Fishing (1-year) | $23.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| State Freshwater Fishing (2-year) | $44.00 | 2 years from purchase |
| State Freshwater Fishing (3-year) | $65.00 | 3 years from purchase |
| State Freshwater Fishing (4-year) | $86.00 | 4 years from purchase |
| County/City Resident Freshwater | $16.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| Saltwater Fishing License | $17.50 | 1 year from purchase |
| Fresh/Saltwater Combined | $39.50 | 1 year from purchase |
| 5-Day Freshwater | $14.00 | 5 consecutive days |
| 5-Day Fresh/Saltwater | $24.00 | 5 consecutive days |
| 10-Day Saltwater | $10.00 | 10 consecutive days |
| 65 and Over Annual Freshwater | $9.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| Tidal Boat Sport Fishing | $126.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| Sportsman’s License | $100.00 | 1 year from purchase |
The Sportsman’s License includes hunting license, bear license, deer/turkey license (valid July 1 through June 30), archery license, muzzleloader license, freshwater fishing license, and trout license. The Tidal Boat license allows the boat owner to fish in saltwater and freshwater within Virginia and covers all passengers on board when the registered boat owner is present.
Non-Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| State Freshwater Fishing | $47.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| Saltwater Fishing License | $25.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| Fresh/Saltwater Combined | $71.00 | 1 year from purchase |
| 1-Day Freshwater | $8.00 | 1 day |
| 5-Day Freshwater | $21.00 | 5 consecutive days |
| 5-Day Fresh/Saltwater | $31.00 | 5 consecutive days |
| 10-Day Saltwater | $10.00 | 10 consecutive days |
| Tidal Boat Sport Fishing | $201.00 | 1 year from purchase |
Non-resident veterans rated 70% or greater service-connected or as Total and Permanent Service-Connected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Administrative Office may apply for a discounted annual fishing license. All applicable licenses, stamps, or permits are required in addition to this license. Applications must be mailed or brought into the Henrico office location only.
Lifetime Licenses
Virginia offers lifetime fishing licenses to both residents and non-residents. Certain Virginia residents may purchase their lifetime licenses online through Go Outdoors Virginia provided their Virginia residency status can be verified through Virginia DMV. The lifetime hunting license equals the state hunting licenses, and all other applicable licenses, stamps, or permits are required in addition to this license.
Resident Junior Lifetime Hunting license is available to Virginia residents under the age of 12. This license expires on their 12th birthday and is transferable when they complete and submit the Youth Hunter Education Compliance form and a copy of their Hunter Safety or equivalent completed certificate.
Legacy Lifetime Licenses
Legacy lifetime licenses are available to Virginia residents and non-residents under the age of 2 years upon date of application receipt to the Department of Wildlife Resources. The legacy hunting lifetime license is valid until the individual’s 12th birthday, at which time they must complete an approved hunter education course or equivalent, then transfer the legacy to a regular hunting lifetime at no additional charge.
Senior Combo Lifetime
Available to Virginia residents 80 years of age and older. All other applicable licenses, stamps, and permits (except the bear license and deer/turkey license) are required in addition to this license.
Resident Service-Connected Disability Veteran Lifetime
Virginia residents who are disabled due to a service-connected disability rated 30% or greater by the U.S. Veterans Administration office may apply for this lifetime license. Discounted fees for the licenses are based upon the individual’s current U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs disability rating. The Veteran lifetime freshwater fishing license does not include a trout license. A trout license will be required if fishing in stocked trout waters. All other applicable licenses, stamps, or permits are required in addition to this license.
Who Is Exempt from Needing a Fishing License?
Age Exemptions
Residents under 16 years of age are exempt from needing a fishing license and also do not need a trout license. Non-resident children under 16 years of age are similarly exempt from license requirements and do not need a trout license. Residents 65 years of age or older do not need a saltwater license but must comply with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) requirements.
Property Owner Exemptions
Resident or non-resident landowners, their spouses, their children and grandchildren and the spouses of such children and grandchildren, or the landowner’s parents, resident or non-resident, do not need a license to hunt, trap, or fish within the boundaries of their own lands and inland waters. Stockholders owning 50 percent or more of the stock of any domestic corporation owning land in Virginia, his or her spouse and children and minor grandchildren, resident or non-resident, may hunt, trap and fish within the boundaries of lands and inland waters owned by the domestic corporation without a license.
Other Exemptions
Tenants on the land they rent and occupy are not required to have a license but must have the written permission of the landowner. Guests fishing in individually owned private ponds do not need a license. Legally blind persons are exempt from license requirements.
Resident, active-duty members of the armed forces while on official leave are not required to purchase a license to fish, unless fishing for trout in designated waters, provided that person presents a copy of their leave papers upon request. A trout license is required if fishing for trout in designated waters stocked with trout by the Department or to fish for or harvest trout in the interstate waters of South Holston Reservoir.
Any Indian who habitually resides on an Indian reservation or a member of the Virginia-recognized tribes who resides in the Commonwealth is not required to have a freshwater license. However, such Indian must have on his person an identification card or paper signed by the chief of his tribe, a valid tribal identification card, written confirmation through a central tribal registry, or certification from a tribal office. A saltwater fishing license is required for these individuals.
Any person not fishing but aiding a disabled license holder is exempt from license requirements.
Special Permits and Endorsements
Trout Fishing License
A trout fishing license is required from October 1 through June 15 in addition to other resident or non-resident licenses if fishing in designated stocked trout waters. The resident and non-resident trout fishing license costs $23.00 annually. A lifetime non-resident trout license is available for $555.00. This additional license is required for both residents and non-residents when fishing in waters stocked with trout by the Department.
South Holston Reservoir Fishing License
The South Holston Reservoir Fishing License costs $21.00 and allows fishing in both Tennessee and Virginia waters of South Holston Reservoir upstream of the dam. A valid resident fishing license is also required in addition to this special license.
Fee Fishing Area Daily Permits
A daily permit costing $8.00 is required at Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek, and Douthat State Park fee fishing areas. This permit is required in addition to regular resident, resident 5-day license, non-resident, or non-resident 1-day or 5-day license.
National Forest Permit
All persons are required to have a National Forest Permit costing $4.00 when fishing on National Forest lands, with specific exceptions. The permit is not required on the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River, the James River, Skidmore Lake in Rockingham County, North Fork Pound Reservoir, Lake Moomaw, the Jackson River below Gathright Dam, and in Wilson Creek below Douthat Lake in Alleghany and Bath Counties. Residents under 16 and over 65, and non-residents under 16 are exempt from this requirement.
Virginia State Forest Use Permit
Required for persons aged 16 or older to practice hunting, trapping, fishing, mountain biking, and horse riding on a state forest. The permit costs $16.00 and allows no motorized vehicles on gated roads or trails (open or closed). The Forest Use Permit is not required for forest visitors who practice walking, hiking, or boating. This permit is sold in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Access Permit
An access permit is required when using any DWR-owned or managed facility or boating access site. The permit is not required for any person holding a valid hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current certificate of boat registration issued by the Department, or persons under the age of 17. The Access Permit requirement does not apply to passengers of vessels launched from Department-owned boat ramps or segments of the Appalachian Trail on Department-owned land. The permit fee is $4.00 for a daily permit or $23.00 for an annual permit.
County Dip Net Permit
A County Dip Net Permit costing $4.50 is required to take shad, herring, and mullet. River herring and American shad may not be harvested from tidal waters.
Public Access Lands for Sportsmen (PALS)
The PALS permit costs $18.00 and provides access to designated public lands for hunting and fishing activities.
How to Buy Your Virginia Fishing License
Online Purchase
Licenses can be purchased online through the Go Outdoors Virginia website. New customers must create a unique customer account to access licenses and other products. Existing customers can log in using their date of birth, last name, and either their DWR Customer ID, the last 4 digits of their SSN, or driver’s license number. After selecting the desired license and paying with a credit card, the license can be printed immediately if needed. The Go Outdoors Virginia mobile app is also available for purchasing and storing licenses on smartphones or tablets.
In-Person Purchase
Fishing licenses are sold by some clerks of the Circuit Court, license agents across Virginia, and at DWR headquarters in Henrico. Licenses are not sold at DWR regional offices. Anglers can find nearby license agents through the Virginia DWR website.
Phone Purchase
Licenses can be purchased by phone during regular business hours by calling (804) 367-1000. Phone orders are processed through the same system as online purchases.
License Validity and Expiration
Resident and non-resident licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted. Multi-year resident freshwater licenses are available for 2, 3, or 4 years from the date of purchase. Short-term licenses such as 1-day, 5-day, and 10-day licenses are valid for the specified consecutive days from the date of purchase.
The deer/turkey license included in the Sportsman’s License is valid from July 1 through June 30. The trout fishing license is valid from October 1 through June 15.
Every person who is required to have a license to fish must carry such license with them (electronic copy, printed paper, or annual hard card) and show the license immediately upon request of any officer whose duty it is to enforce the game and inland fish laws, or upon the demand of any owner or lessee, or any employee or representative of such owner or lessee, upon whose land or water such person may be fishing.
License Replacement
If a license was purchased from a retail license agent, online, or by phone, anglers can visit the Go Outdoors Virginia website, select “Manage Your Account,” and reprint their license anytime. Licenses can also be reprinted at any retail license agent that sells hunt/fish licenses or by calling the Headquarters office at (804) 367-1000 during normal business hours.
Important Virginia Fishing Regulations
Saltwater Fisherman Identification Program
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has implemented a free state saltwater angler identification program. Purchasers of annual Virginia saltwater fishing licenses do not have to register. The Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) requires unlicensed saltwater anglers aged 16 and older to register and receive an identification number annually. Adult anglers who fish for anadromous or marine species in freshwater must also register. There is no cost for registration. Online registration is available on the VMRC website, or anglers can contact VMRC at (757) 247-2200.
American Shad and River Herring Restrictions
As of January 1, 2019, there is a statewide moratorium on the possession of American shad. However, catch and immediate release is permitted. It is illegal for any person to have river herring in their possession, including blueback herring and alewife. All river herring inadvertently caught by anglers must be immediately released back into the water. On January 1, 2012, VMRC enacted a regulation which makes it unlawful for any person to be in possession of river herring in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Virginia fishing license?
A resident annual freshwater fishing license costs $23.00 for one year, with multi-year options available at $44.00 for two years, $65.00 for three years, and $86.00 for four years. Non-resident annual freshwater licenses cost $47.00. Saltwater licenses are $17.50 for residents and $25.00 for non-residents. Combined fresh/saltwater licenses are $39.50 for residents and $71.00 for non-residents. Short-term options include 5-day freshwater licenses at $14.00 for residents and $21.00 for non-residents.
Can I get my VA fishing license online?
Yes, Virginia fishing licenses can be purchased online through the Go Outdoors Virginia website. New customers must create a unique customer account, while existing customers can log in using their date of birth, last name, and either their DWR Customer ID, the last 4 digits of their SSN, or driver’s license number. After selecting the desired license and paying with a credit card, the license can be printed immediately. Licenses can also be purchased through the Go Outdoors Virginia mobile app.
Can I have my fishing license on my phone in Virginia?
Yes, anglers can carry their fishing license electronically on their phone in Virginia. The Go Outdoors Virginia mobile app allows anglers to purchase, renew, and store their licenses on their smartphone or tablet. Every person required to have a license must carry it with them (electronic copy, printed paper, or annual hard card) and show the license immediately upon request of enforcement officers or landowners.
Do senior citizens need a fishing license in Virginia?
Virginia residents 65 years of age and older can purchase a discounted annual freshwater fishing license for $9.00. Residents 65 and older do not need a saltwater license but must comply with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) requirements. Residents under 16 and over 65, as well as non-residents under 16, are exempt from the National Forest Permit requirement when fishing on National Forest lands.
What is the Virginia Tidal Boat license?
The Tidal Boat license is available to any boat owner, resident and non-resident, and costs $126.00 for residents and $201.00 for non-residents. This special combined sportfishing license gives the boat owner a license to fish in saltwater and freshwater within Virginia. The license also covers all passengers on board the owner’s boat when fishing in Virginia tidal waters (to river Fall Lines) and saltwater only when the registered boat owner is present. There are no decals issued under this license.
For the most current information and to purchase your license, visit the official Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website.