Virginia splits at the tide line and prices the salt side cheaply: seventeen fifty for a resident against twenty-three for the freshwater licence. The oddity here is the ten-day saltwater licence, which costs the same ten dollars whether you live in Virginia or not, and the Tidal Boat Sport Fishing licence that covers everyone aboard a private boat rather than each angler individually.
What it costs
Set your situation for the exact saltwater figure. Switching to fresh water here shows what the other licence would cost instead.
Every Virginia saltwater fee
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $17.50 |
| Saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $25.00 |
| Fresh and saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $39.50 |
| Fresh and saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $71.00 |
| Tidal boat sport fishing | Resident | Annual | $126.00 |
| Tidal boat sport fishing | Visitor | Annual | $201.00 |
Fees verified against DWR on 2026-09-11.
What it covers, and what it does not
The saltwater licence covers the tidal waters: the Chesapeake, its tidal tributaries and the Atlantic. It does not cover the inland rivers and reservoirs, and it does nothing for stocked trout water, which needs the freshwater licence plus the separate trout licence. The combined fresh and saltwater licence at $39.50 is the option for anglers who cross the line.
For the freshwater side of the state, and for the combination options where they exist, see the full Virginia licence page.
Where to use it
We track 2 saltwater waters in Virginia daily, with live tides and conditions:
- Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach County
- York River — Gloucester County
Questions
How much is a saltwater fishing licence in Virginia?
$17.50 for a resident and $25.00 for a visitor, for an annual licence. Short-term options cost less and are listed in the table above.
Does a Virginia freshwater licence cover salt water?
No. Virginia sells them as separate licences, so a freshwater licence gives you no cover on the coast. Fishing both means two licences, or the combined option where the state offers one.
What is the Virginia tidal boat sport fishing licence?
A licence held by the boat rather than the angler, $126.00 for a resident, covering everyone fishing from that private vessel. For a regular group it beats individual licences.
Does the ten-day saltwater licence cost visitors more in Virginia?
No. It is $10.00 whether you live in Virginia or not, which makes a short coastal trip unusually cheap.