West Virginia names its licences by class letter, and you will hear them called that at the counter: Class B is the resident fishing licence, Class F the non-resident one, Class L a five-day. Every licensed angler also needs the Conservation Stamp, five dollars for residents and thirteen for visitors, so the shelf price is never the whole price. The trout stamp costs visitors sixty per cent more than residents.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every West Virginia fishing fee
Licences run by calendar year.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day fishing, Class LL | Visitor | 1 day | $3.00 |
| Five-day fishing, Class L | Resident | 5 days | $8.00 |
| Junior sportsman, ages 15-17, Class XJ | Resident | Annual | $16.00 |
| Junior sportsman, Class XXJ | Visitor | Annual | $16.00 |
| Fishing, Class B | Resident | Annual | $19.00 |
| Sportsman hunting, fishing and trapping, Class X | Resident | Annual | $35.00 |
| Fishing, Class F | Visitor | Annual | $37.00 |
| Sportsman plus, Class XP Includes the trout stamp. | Resident | Annual | $45.00 |
| Sportsman, three years, Class X3 | Resident | 3 years | $105.00 |
| Sportsman plus, three years, Class XP3 | Resident | 3 years | $135.00 |
West Virginia names its licences by class letter, which is how they appear at the point of sale: Class B is the resident fishing licence, Class F the non-resident one.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the West Virginia extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Trout fishing stamp, Class O | $16.00 for visitors, and included with the Sportsman Plus licence. | $10.00 |
| National forest stamp, Class I | — | $2.00 |
Who fishes free in West Virginia
- Anglers under 15.
- Everyone on the state free fishing days.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official WVDNR licensing page →
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 13 West Virginia waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- New River Gorge — Fayette County
- Cheat Lake — Monongalia County
- Summersville Lake — Nicholas County
- Elk River — Clay County
- Tygart Lake — Taylor County
- Stonewall Jackson Lake — Lewis County
- Bluestone Lake — Summers County
- Tygart Valley River — Barbour County
- Greenbrier River — Greenbrier County
- South Branch Potomac River — Hampshire County
- Cranberry River — Nicholas County
- Kanawha River — Fayette County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in West Virginia?
$24.00 for a resident annual all waters licence and $50.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in West Virginia?
From age 15. Anglers under 15 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a West Virginia fishing licence online?
Yes. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
What is a Class B fishing licence in West Virginia?
The standard resident annual fishing licence, $19.00. Class F is the non-resident equivalent at $37.00, and Class L is a five-day resident licence at $8.00.
Do I need a conservation stamp in West Virginia?
Yes, every licensed angler does: $5.00 for residents and $13.00 for visitors, on top of the licence. Our prices include it.