Anglers can enjoy the waters of Virginia, but they must have a valid, current Virginia Fishing License. This is true for residents of Virginia as well as those anglers who are visiting the state. These licenses are valid for one year from the date they are purchased.
Residents of Virginia can choose from a Virginia Freshwater Fishing License in county or city of residence, a Freshwater Fishing License statewide, a Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing License statewide, a Freshwater Fishing License for 5 consecutive days, a Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing License for 5 consecutive days, a Freshwater Fishing License for anglers 65 and over, the Service-connected Totally and Permanently Disabled Veteran Resident Lifetime License to hunt and freshwater fish, a Totally and Permanently Disabled Resident Special Lifetime License to freshwater fish or a license to fish in designate stocked trout waters, a Special Lifetime to Fish Freshwater License or a Special Lifetime Trout License to fish in designate trout waters. Sportsman’ License for 16 and over is valid from July 1 through July 30 and includes hunting, bear, deer, turkey, archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, trout and freshwater fishing license. According to the Virginia Game Department, a resident of the state is a person who has been a bonafide resident of the state, county or city for at least 6 consecutive months immediately prior to their application for a Virginia Fishing License, or a person who is a domiciliary resident of the State of Virginia for at least 2 months with approval via a completed affidavit that is supplied by the Virginia Game Department, or is a legal voter in the state of Virginia, or is an active member of the Armed Forces as long as they reside in the state of Virginia, or students who are attending a Virginia school or any “unnaturalized owners of real property in Virginia who have resided in the county for five years immediately prior to making application for a license only in the county where they qualify.
Non-residents of Virginia can choose from a Statewide Freshwater Fishing License, a Statewide Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing License, a Statewide Freshwater Fishing License for 5 consecutive days, a Statewide Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing License for 5 consecutive days, Fish in designated stocked trout waters, a Non-resident Special Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License and Non-resident Special Lifetime Trout License to fish in designated stocked trout waters.
Even though the majority of anglers fishing the waters of Virginia are required to purchase and possess a Virginia Fishing License, there are a few exceptions who do not have to abide by this rule. This would include landowners and their family who are fishing on their own land, residents who have not reached their 16th birthday, tenants who are fishing on the land they lease and occupy, non-residents who have not reached the age of 12 yet, anglers who are legally blind or any member of a Virginia recognized Indian tribe.
