Recreational Fishing in Virginia

Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses and Registration

• What License Do I Need?

• Get Your Fishing License Now (external site)

• FIP Registration

• Register Your Vessel (external site)

• Recreational Species Permits

• For-Hire Licenses

All Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses and vessel registration are issued by the Department of Wildlife Resources.

Recreational Species Permits - Certain recreational fisheries in Virginia, such as the February black sea bass season, require a no-cost permit for participation. Permittees may be required to report harvest to the commission. As of 2023, a species permit is no longer required to target cobia in Virginia.

Highly Migratory Species Permits (external site) - Federal permits are required for private and charter vessels to fish for Atlantic tunas, billfishes, swordfish, and sharks.

For-Hire Licenses - Information relating to operating a charter boat, commercial fish pier, or rental boat business.

Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations

• Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations

• Recreational Crabbing Regulations

• Recreational Shellfishing Regulations

• Alternative Recreational Gears Regulations

• Spearfishing Restrictions

• Shark Identification

Get Fishing

The Commonwealth of Virginia takes pride in its wealth of natural resources and access opportunities for the public. Whether you're fishing from a public access pier or one of our 23 artificial reefs, we hope to see you out there. Read more here about where to fish in Virginia and how to be a responsible steward of the resource.

ID That Gamefish!

Where To Fish

Artificial Reefs
Public Access Fishing Sites (external site)
Public Access Boating Ramps (external site)

Fish Responsibly

Circle Hooks
Handling and Release
Fishing Line Recycling Program

Get Involved

Saltwater Journal (external site)
Gamefish Tagging Program
Report a Tagged Fish
Recreational Carcass Collection Program (PDF)

VA Saltwater Tournament

Gamefish Records

More Useful Information

Virginia Saltwater Angler's Guide
A free publication by the VMRC to help recreational saltwater anglers become better fishermen, including a guide on what fish to catch in Virginia (and where, when, and how to catch them).

Virginia Stranding Team Hotline (external site) - (757) 385-7575
If you encounter a stranded, injured, or entangled sea turtle or marine mammal, call the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team. Do not approach the animal.

Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline (external site) - (888) 238-6154
To report a potentially harmful algae bloom, call The Virginia Department of Health or report online (external site).

US Coast Guard Boating Safety (external site)
Dedicated to reducing loss of life, injuries and property damage by improving the knowledge, skill and abilities of recreational boaters