Virginia has the trap that catches more visiting anglers than any other state in this group. The cheap one-day and five-day licences are explicitly not valid in designated stocked trout waters, which is exactly where a visitor with a weekend and a fly rod is heading. Stocked trout water needs the base licence plus a separate trout licence, and from 1 October to 15 June that is not optional.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Virginia fishing fee
Licences are valid one year from the date of purchase.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater, one day Not valid in designated stocked trout waters. | Visitor | 1 day | $8.00 |
| Freshwater, five days | Resident | 5 days | $14.00 |
| Freshwater, five days | Visitor | 5 days | $21.00 |
| Fresh and saltwater, five days Not valid in designated stocked trout waters. | Resident | 5 days | $24.00 |
| Fresh and saltwater, five days | Visitor | 5 days | $31.00 |
| Saltwater, ten days | Resident | 10 days | $10.00 |
| Saltwater, ten days | Visitor | 10 days | $10.00 |
| Resident 65 and over | Resident | Annual | $9.00 |
| County or city of residence only | Resident | Annual | $16.00 |
| Saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $17.50 |
| South Holston Reservoir Covers the Tennessee and Virginia waters above the dam. A resident licence is still required. | Resident | Annual | $21.00 |
| Freshwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $23.00 |
| Saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $25.00 |
| Fresh and saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $39.50 |
| Freshwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $47.00 |
| Fresh and saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $71.00 |
| Tidal boat sport fishing | Resident | Annual | $126.00 |
| Tidal boat sport fishing | Visitor | Annual | $201.00 |
| Freshwater, two years | Resident | 2 years | $44.00 |
| Freshwater, three years | Resident | 3 years | $65.00 |
| Freshwater, four years | Resident | 4 years | $86.00 |
The one-day and five-day licences are not valid in stocked trout water, which catches out visitors who buy the cheap option and then head for a stocked stream.
Prices change: Most licences up $5 for residents; nonresident freshwater $47 to $72 and the nonresident one-day $8 to $20. Old and new prices, the date and the law (scheduled, october 1, 2026).
Passing through? A visitor pays $8 for one day here, and the annual works out cheaper after 6 days. Compare every state's day licence.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Virginia extras on top of the base licence, as DWR lists them.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Trout licence | Required from 1 October to 15 June in designated stocked trout waters, on top of the base licence. Same price for visitors. | $23.00 |
| National forest permit | Required alongside the licence to fish national forest water. | $4.00 |
| Daily permit, fee fishing areas | For Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek and Douthat State Park. | $8.00 |
| Access permit | $4.00 for a single day. | $23.00 |
A trout stamp is an endorsement, not a licence: it is useless without the licence above it. What it costs in every state, and the 26 that require none.
Fishing the coast? The Virginia saltwater licence is a separate purchase with its own fees.
Do you need a fishing licence in Virginia?
Yes, from age 16. Residents and visitors both need one from that birthday. What changes is the price, not the requirement.
$23.00 a year if you live in Virginia, $47.00 if you are visiting, for fresh water. Virginia licenses fresh and salt water separately, so check which one your trip needs.
Who does not need one
- Anglers under 16, resident or not.
- Everyone on the state free fishing days.
Nobody needs a licence on Virginiaβs free fishing days: the dates for this year, and what the day does not waive.
How to buy it
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices.
Official DWR licensing page β
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 15 Virginia waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Virginia Beach β Virginia Beach County
- Smith Mountain Lake β Franklin County
- Lake Anna β Louisa County
- Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) β Mecklenburg County
- James River β Henrico County
- Rappahannock River β Spotsylvania County
- Claytor Lake β Pulaski County
- York River β Gloucester County
- New River β Pulaski County
- Shenandoah River β Warren County
- Chickahominy Lake β Charles City County
- Occoquan Reservoir β Fairfax County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Virginia?
$23.00 for a resident annual freshwater licence and $47.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
Do you need a fishing license in Virginia?
Yes, from age 16, and it makes no difference whether you live there: residents and visitors both need one, they just pay different prices. $23.00 for a resident annual freshwater licence, $47.00 for a visitor. 2 exemptions apply, listed on this page.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Virginia?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though the other rules, bag limits and catch record cards included, still apply to them.
Can I buy a Virginia fishing licence online?
Yes. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources sells online and through licence agents.
Do I need separate freshwater and saltwater licences in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia sells them separately, so fishing both sides means either two licences or the combined option listed in the fee table.
Does a Virginia one-day licence cover trout?
No. The one-day and five-day licences are not valid in designated stocked trout waters at all. For those you need an annual licence plus the separate trout licence during the 1 October to 15 June season.
Do visitors pay more for the Virginia trout licence?
No. The non-resident trout licence was brought down to the same $23.00 the residents pay, which is unusual and worth knowing if you are planning a trip.