Commonwealth of Virginia

REGULATION: VIRGINIA SALTWATER RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENSES

Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses: The fishing licenses listed below are required for recreational, non-commercial use of a rod-and-reel (hook and line), handline, spear or gig, cast net, or up to two eel pots in Virginia tidal saltwater areas including the Atlantic Ocean out to the three mile limit. Click here for a description of Saltwater/Freshwater Licensing Boundaries. Exemptions from licensing requirements and license reciprocity information are listed below.

Recreational Saltwater License Fees
Individual SW	$12.50
*Individual resident FW/SW	$24.50
*Individual non-resident FW/SW	$42.50
SW 10-day temp	$5.00
*Resident FW/SW 5-day temp	$10.50
*Non-resident FW/SW 5-day temp	$15.50
SW Recreational boat	$38.00
**Individual Lifetime SW (Under 45)	$250.00
**Individual Lifetime SW (45-50)	$120.00
**Individual Lifetime SW (51-55)	$90.00
**Individual Lifetime SW (56-60)	$60.00
**Individual Lifetime SW (61-64)	$30.00
***Individual Lifetime SW Disabled	$5.00

* only freshwater/saltwater combined licenses have differing fees for residents and non-residents; all other saltwater recreational fishing licenses have the same fees regardless of residency.

** Click here to visit the DGIF web site that describes how to obtain a lifetime license.

*** Application for Disabled Resident Special Lifetime Saltwater Fishing License

The saltwater recreational hook and line licenses listed above are sold by licensing agents administered by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). Click here to view a list of licensing agents maintained by DGIF. Note that although this linked page refers to hunting license agents, DGIF agents sell saltwater recreational fishing licenses, freshwater recreational fishing licenses as well as hunting licenses.

Get your saltwater fishing license by phone at (800) 986-2628 ! Click on link to learn more.

Note for saltwater recreational boat licenses purchased by phone: boat stickers are mailed separately by the Commission & should be received within 10 days after receipt of the paper license from BPS; remember to keep your BPS license to use as an individual license.

Get your saltwater fishing license online! Click on link to learn more.

Note for saltwater recreational boat licenses purchased online: boat stickers are mailed separately by the Commission & should be received within 10 days after the online purchase; remember to keep your online PDF license to use as an individual license.

Note to non-resident fishermen: there are no additional fees above license costs listed above for non-resident fishermen to fish recreationally in Virginia tidal waters. If you hold a valid fishing license in Maryland or from the Potomac River Fisheries Commission you may not need another license to fish in Virginia. Read the comments below on license reciprocity for more information.

License Exemptions:

Children under 16 years of age
Persons 65 years of age or older
Landowners, their spouses and children, and their non-paying guests when fishing from the landowners' private real property. Individuals that rent and fish from private real property, their non-paying guests, or their immediate family.
Persons fishing on a recreational boat, charter boat, headboat, partyboat, commercial fishing pier, or rental boat which possesses a valid Virginia recreational fishing license covering all person using such craft or structure
Persons fishing with commercial gear licensed by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Persons fishing from the shores of Assateague National Seashore Park.
Organized groups of individuals with physical or mental limitations, veterans in veterans hospitals, and school groups (K-12) with permission from the Commission
Individual purchasers of a saltwater recreational boat license

Reciprocal Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses:

Chesapeake Bay - Anglers with saltwater licenses from either Virginia or Maryland may fish in any portion of the Chesapeake Bay, or any of the saltwater reaches of its tributary rivers. Virginia licenses honored include: 1) individual annual licenses; 2) individual temporary licenses; 3) private boat licenses covering all persons fishing on the boat; 4) annual licenses for charter boats, headboats, and partyboats; and 5) annual licenses for rental boats.

Potomac River - Anglers with saltwater licenses from either Virginia or the Potomac River Fisheries Commission may fish in any portion of the mainstem of the Potomac River to the lower border of D.C.. Virginia licenses honored include: 1) individual annual licenses; 2) individual temporary licenses; 3) private boat licenses covering all persons fishing on the boat; 4) annual licenses for charter boats, headboats, and partyboats; and 5) annual licenses for rental boats.

Virginia saltwater recreational licenses purchased for fishing in ocean waters are the same license used for Bay waters and have the same reciprocity described above.

For more information on reciprocity consult the DGIF web site or the PRFC web site.

[Other saltwater recreational licenses]…[Other Commission licenses]…[Saltwater/Freshwater Licensing Boundaries]

Click here to visit the DGIF site related to freshwater recreational fishing in Virginia

[Application to Transfer Saltwater Recreational Boat License]… Print out the application. Fill in all required information and attach all documentation. Remember to sign and date the last page. Mail to the address listed on the application. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.