Virginia
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) for freshwater; Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) for saltwater. Online via Go Outdoors Virginia, license agents, or by phone.

Cost

Resident freshwater annual: $23. Resident saltwater annual: $17.50. Resident combo (fresh + salt): $48.50. Non-resident freshwater annual: $47. Non-resident saltwater annual: $25. Non-resident combo: $102.50. 1-day: $8. Non-res 5-day freshwater: $14. Non-res 5-day saltwater: $24.

Validity

Annual (from date of purchase) or 1-day / 5-day

Available online?

Yes

Virginia separates freshwater (DWR) from saltwater (VMRC) but offers a combo license. Saltwater license satisfies the Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registry requirement. Required for ages 16+. Residents 65+ fish freshwater free; must register FIP or get $5 lifetime saltwater license.

Closed seasons

Chesapeake Bay striped bass (rockfish): spring trophy season + fall season strictly managed — typical dates May 16 – Jun 15 + Oct 4 – Dec 31, varies by year. Trout: Category A stocked waters closed certain weeks for stocking.

Catch limits

Chesapeake Bay striped bass: 1/day, 19–24" slot (VMRC 2026 regs). Coastal striped bass: 1/day, 28–31" slot. Largemouth bass: 5/day, 12" min (some lakes 14" or 18" trophy). Smallmouth: 5/day, varies. Cobia: 1/day, 40" min, Jun 1 – Sep 30. Red drum: 3/day, 18–26" slot.

Prohibited methods

Circle hooks required when using natural bait for striped bass. Gaffing striped bass prohibited. Snagging prohibited most waters.

Catch & Release

Required for striped bass outside slot. Required for Atlantic sturgeon (federally endangered). Mandatory for tarpon off Eastern Shore.

Chesapeake Bay rockfish regulations change year-to-year — check VMRC before each trip. Smith Mountain Lake in west VA is a top striped bass fishery (landlocked). Virginia Beach offshore (Norfolk Canyon) for tuna + marlin in summer.

Best season

Chesapeake striper: April–June trophy + Oct–Dec fall run. Cobia: June–August. Offshore tuna: June–September. Smallmouth James/New: May–October.

Freshwater

176,000 acres of lakes + 27,000 miles of streams. Smith Mountain + Buggs Island (Kerr) for striper. New + James rivers for smallmouth. Blue Ridge trout streams.

Saltwater

112 miles of Atlantic coast + 7,000 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline. Eastern Shore flats for red drum. Virginia Beach for offshore. CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel) is a top striper structure.

Equipment

Bass Pro in Hampton + Ashland. Green Top Sporting Goods (Ashland, iconic). Orvis in Roanoke. Charter fleets in Virginia Beach, Rudee Inlet, Wachapreague.

Fishing guides

$400–$700/day inshore Chesapeake. $1,200–$2,500/day offshore Virginia Beach tuna. $350–$500/day smallmouth float (James/New).

Transport

IAD (Dulles), DCA (Reagan), RIC (Richmond), ORF (Norfolk). Rental car essential. Coast 3h from Richmond.

Safety

Hurricane season Jun–Nov. Ticks + Lyme disease April–October. Cold Atlantic water year-round — hypothermia risk. Summer lightning storms.

License fees

$8–$103 depending on water + duration + residency; $48.50 resident combo

Guide prices

$350–$700 inshore/lake; $1,200–$2,500 offshore

Daily budget

Budget: $80–$120/day. Charter: $500–$2,500/day.