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Virginia Fishing License: Cost and Where to Buy
A resident annual Virginia fishing license costs $28 and a nonresident annual license $72, with a 1-day nonresident option at $20, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Here is who needs one, every license type and price, and where to buy it.
Prices
Virginia fishing license prices
| License | Who | Covers | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Freshwater Fishing | Resident | freshwater | annual | $28 |
| Nonresident Freshwater Fishing | Nonresident | freshwater | annual | $72 |
| Resident Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing | Resident | all | annual | $44.50 |
| Nonresident Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing | Nonresident | all | annual | $96 |
| Resident 5-Day Freshwater | Resident | freshwater | 5-day | $19 |
| Nonresident 5-Day Freshwater | Nonresident | freshwater | 5-day | $36 |
| Resident 5-Day Freshwater & Saltwater | Resident | all | 5-day | $28 |
| Nonresident 5-Day Freshwater & Saltwater | Nonresident | all | 5-day | $46 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Freshwater | Nonresident | freshwater | 1-day | $20 |
| Resident Trout License | Resident | designated stocked trout waters | annual | $28 |
| Nonresident Trout License | Nonresident | designated stocked trout waters | annual | $48 |
| Trout One-Day Permit | Resident/nonresident | board-designated trout areas | 1-day | $13 |
| Resident Senior 65+ Freshwater | Resident | freshwater | annual | $9 |
Prices from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, checked October 2026. Some vendors add a small processing or agent fee. Prices change – confirm on the official license site before you buy.
Rules
Who needs a Virginia fishing license
- Who needs one: Everyone 16 and older, resident or nonresident, needs a license to fish.
- Kids: Under 16 (resident or nonresident) need no license, including trout license.
- Seniors: Residents 65+: freshwater license $9; 65+ do not need a saltwater license but must register with the Fisherman Identification Program (FIP).
- Saltwater: Standalone saltwater licenses are sold by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (not priced on the DWR page); license-exempt saltwater anglers must register with Virginia's Fisherman Identification Program (FIP).
Fish with a local
Fishing charters in Virginia
Charter captains and guides we list in Virginia, A to Z on each town page.
Questions
Virginia fishing license questions
How much is a fishing license in Virginia?
A resident annual license is $28 and a nonresident annual license is $72, and a 1-day nonresident license is $20. Full list above, from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Who needs a fishing license in Virginia?
Everyone 16 and older, resident or nonresident, needs a license to fish.
Do I need a fishing license on a charter in Virginia?
The agency fee pages we checked do not say. In many coastal states a licensed charter boat covers its paying passengers, but not everywhere – ask the captain when you book.
Where do I buy a Virginia fishing license?
Online from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources at gooutdoorsvirginia.com, or from licensed sporting-goods and bait shops.
Sources:
For captains and guides
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