Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses
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All Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses and vessel registration are issued by the Department of Wildlife Resources. Click here (external site) or call 1-866-721-6911 to purchase your license or to find in-person license agents.
Who Needs a Virginia Saltwater Fishing License?
Are you fishing in Virginia tidal waters including the Atlantic Ocean out to the three-mile limit?
Not sure? Click here for license boundaries.
If not, you may need a Virginia Freshwater Recreational License (external site).
If you are fishing in freshwater for anadromous species (striped bass, shad), you will also need FIP registration.
If yes, you may need a Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing License. See below.
Anglers younger than 16 years of age:
No paid license or FIP registration required.
Anglers 65 years of age or older:
No paid license required, but you must obtain a no-cost FIP (Fisherman Identification Program) registration. There is an optional $5 lifetime saltwater fishing license for VA resident anglers 65 or older; if a person has purchased this optional license they do not need to register for FIP.
Anglers between 16 and 64 years of age:
A paid license is required unless one of the following exemptions applies:
Fishing from private property as an owner, renter, immediate family, or non-paying guest (FIP required)
Fishing from a public fishing pier with a VMRC-issued license that allows pier anglers to fish without license (FIP required)
Fishing from a licensed headboat or charter boat (FIP not required)
Fishing from a private boat with a VA saltwater boat license (FIP required)
Have a reciprocal MD saltwater recreational fishing license (FIP required) or Potomac River Fisheries Commission recreational fishing license (FIP not required) as described below.
See ยง28.2-302.5 of the Code of Virginia (external site) for more license exemptions
What gears are covered with a Recreational Saltwater Fishing License?
Non-commercial, personal, and recreational use of:
Rod-and-reel/hook-and-line
Spear or gig
Dip net
Cast net (Optional $10 license for cast net only)
Up to two eel pots (Optional $10 license for eel pots only)
Virginia Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses and Fees
SW = Saltwater | Resident | Non-Resident | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
Individual SW | $17.50 | $25 | |
Individual SW (2-year) | $33.50 | N/A | |
Individual SW (3-year) | $49.50 | N/A | |
Individual SW (4-year) | $65.50 | N/A | |
Individual FW/SW | $44.50 | $96 | |
10-day Temp SW | $10 | $10 | |
5-day Temp FW/SW | $28 | $46 | |
Recreational Boat SW | $48 | $76 | This entitles a VA-registered boat owner (the licensee) to an individual fishing license valid for all Virginia saltwater recreational fishing. Passengers on a licensed boat may fish without additional paid license (FIP required). Non-Residents purchasing the Non-Resident SW Recreational Fishing Boat License must have a boat registered in VA. MD or PRFC license holders with reciprocity privileges can fish in VA without purchasing the NR license. |
Reissuance of SW Recreational Boat License | $5 | $5 | |
Tidal Boat Sport Fishing | $126 | $201 | This entitles a VA-registered boat owner (the licensee) to an individual fishing license valid for all Virginia freshwater and saltwater recreational fishing. Passengers on a licensed boat may fish without additional paid license (FIP required). Non-Residents do not need to have a boat registered in VA. |
Individual Lifetime SW (Under 45) | $276 | $500 | |
Individual Lifetime SW (45-50) | $132 | $240 | |
Individual Lifetime SW (51-55) | $99 | $180 | |
Individual Lifetime SW (56-60) | $66 | $120 | |
Individual Lifetime SW (61-64) | $35 | $60 | |
Individual Lifetime SW (Age 65 and older) | $5 | Apply for a Lifetime License (external site) | |
Individual Lifetime SW Disabled | $10 | $10 |
Fisherman Identification Program (FIP)
In 2011, the VMRC implemented a free state saltwater angler identification program in order to exempt saltwater anglers from having to register yearly with the National Saltwater Angler Registry and pay an annual federal registration fee. The Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) will require unlicensed saltwater anglers age 16 and older to register for free with the VMRC and receive an identification number annually. If someone plans to fish in saltwater without needing to buy a license or to fish for anadromous or marine species in Virginia's freshwaters, they'll need to register with VMRC. If you plan to only fish from a licensed charter boat you do not have to register.
For more information or to register, visit www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP.
Maryland and Potomac Reciprocity
Anglers with saltwater licenses from either Virginia, Maryland, or the Potomac River Fisheries Commission may fish in any portion of the Chesapeake Bay, or any of the saltwater reaches of its tributary rivers, as well as seaside bays and creeks and the Atlantic Ocean where a Virginia saltwater license is required. Persons entering the waters of these jurisdictions are subject to each jurisdiction's respective laws, rules, regulations, and amendments.
Current MD/VA Reciprocity Agreement (PDF)
The following Maryland saltwater recreational fishing licenses are honored in Virginia tidal waters with FIP registration:
Annual Chesapeake Bay and Coastal sport fishing license
Short-term (7-day) Chesapeake Bay and Coastal sport fishing license
Lifetime Chesapeake Bay and Coastal sport fishing license for former prisoners of war or 100% service connected disabled American veterans
Combination commercial/recreational (tidal fish license)
Private boat license
Consolidated senior sport fishing license
Charter and head boat licenses (registration not needed)
The following Potomac River Fisheries Commission recreational fishing licenses are honored in Virginia tidal waters:
Individual annual license
Private boat license (boat must have VA registration)
Charter boat license (registration not needed)
For more information on licensing and reciprocity, consult the MD DNR web site (external site) or the PRFC web site (external site).