Residency Qualifications for Purchasing Licenses

Residency qualifications determine eligibility for purchasing various types of licenses in Virginia. Here are the criteria:

State Resident License

• Domiciliary Resident of Virginia: Individuals who have been domiciliary residents of Virginia for at least two consecutive months prior to purchasing a license and provide a certificate of residency.

• Members of U.S. Armed Forces: Active duty members, their spouses, and dependents stationed at a military base within Virginia are eligible if the member resides in Virginia.

City or County Resident License

• Bona Fide Resident: U.S. citizens who have been bona fide residents of a city or county for six consecutive months prior to purchasing a license for that jurisdiction.

• Legal Voter: Individuals who are legal voters of the city or county for which the license is being purchased.

• Residents of Wholly Contained Cities: Residents of a city wholly contained within the county may purchase a license if they have resided in the city for at least six consecutive months prior to purchase.

• Students at Virginia Institutions: Students enrolled and boarding at preparatory schools or higher education institutions in Virginia can purchase a license for the city or county where the school is located upon presenting a certificate of enrollment.

Exceptions to Fishing License Requirements

While most individuals are required to purchase licenses for fishing in Virginia, certain exceptions apply. Here are the exceptions:

Landowners and Family Members

• Resident or Nonresident Landowners: They, along with their spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, and the spouses of their children and grandchildren, do not need a license to hunt, trap, or fish on their own lands and inland waters.

• Tenants: Tenants on rented and occupied land do not need a license but must have written permission from the landowner.

Guests and Nonresidents

• Guests in Private Ponds: Guests fishing in individually owned private ponds are exempt from license requirements.

• Nonresident Children: Nonresident children under 16 years of age do not need a fishing license (also exempt from trout license requirements).

Special Cases

• Resident Active-Duty Armed Forces Members: They are exempt while on official leave, but must carry a copy of their Military Orders when trout fishing.

• Legally Blind Persons: Legally blind individuals are exempt from fishing license requirements.

• Indian Residents: Any Indian habitually residing on a reservation or a member of Virginia-recognized tribes within the Commonwealth is exempt from freshwater license requirements but must carry tribal identification.

• Stockholders of Domestic Corporations: Stockholders owning 50% or more of the stock of a domestic corporation owning land in Virginia, along with their spouses, children, and minor grandchildren, can hunt, trap, and fish on corporation-owned lands without a license.

• Persons 65 Years or Older: Individuals aged 65 or older do not need a saltwater license but must comply with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) requirements.

Assistance to Disabled License Holder

• Assistants to Disabled License Holder: Individuals aiding a disabled license holder, even if not fishing themselves, are exempt from license requirements.

Where to Obtain a Fishing License in Virginia

To obtain a fishing license in Virginia, you have several options available:

Online

• Website: Visit www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com.
• New Customers: Create a unique customer account to access licenses and other products.
• Existing Customers: Log in using your date of birth, last name, and either your DWR Customer ID, the last 4 digits of your SSN, or driver’s license number.
• Selection: Select the license(s) you need, pay with your credit card, and print your license if required.

In Person

• Locations: Fishing licenses are sold by some clerks of the Circuit Court, license agents across Virginia, and DWR headquarters.
• Not Available: Note that fishing licenses are not sold at DWR regional offices.
• Agent Locator: Use the License Agent Locator to find a nearby license agent.

By Phone or Mobile Phone

• Phone Number: Call (804) 367-1000 during regular business hours.
• Mobile App: Use the GoOutdoors Virginia mobile app for convenient access.

Freshwater and Saltwater License Lines on Tidal Waters

To fish in tidal waters, it's essential to know where freshwater and saltwater license lines intersect. Here are the designated lines for various water bodies in Virginia:

Freshwater/Saltwater License Lines:

• Elizabeth River: The Great Bridge Locks
• James River: A line from Hog Point (Surry County) to the downstream point of the mouth of College Creek (James City County)
• Piankatank River/Dragon Run: The first set of power lines immediately upriver of Anderson Point
• Potomac River: Rt. 301 Bridge
• Rappahannock River: Rt. 360 Bridge
• York River System: Rt. 33 Bridges (including Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers)

License Requirements:

• Above Designated Lines: A valid freshwater fishing license is required.
• Below Designated Lines: A valid saltwater fishing license is required.

Additional Information:

• Reciprocal License: Refer to the reciprocal license section for specific details regarding the Potomac River.
• Tributaries: Freshwater or saltwater licenses are valid on any tidal portion of tributaries entering the mainstem waters above.

Entirely Freshwater Waters:

• Meherrin River
• Nottoway River
• Blackwater River (Chowan drainage)
• Back Bay
• Northwest River
• North Landing River and Intracoastal Waterway upstream to Great Bridge Locks
• Dismal Swamp Canal below (or south) of Deep Creek Locks

Additional Fishing License Information in Virginia

In addition to standard fishing licenses, there are various permits and special licenses available in Virginia to ensure compliance with regulations and access to specific areas. Here's some essential information:

Tidal Boat License

• Eligibility: Available to all boat owners, both residents and nonresidents.
• Coverage: Provides a combined sport-fishing license for both saltwater and freshwater fishing within Virginia.
• Passenger Coverage: Covers all passengers onboard the owner's boat when fishing in Virginia tidal waters up to river Fall Lines, and in saltwater when the registered boat owner is present.
• Decals: No decals issued under this license.
• Regulations: VMRC Fisherman Identification Program rules apply for passengers fishing in saltwater under this license.

National Forest Permit

• Requirement: Necessary for fishing on National Forest lands, with exceptions listed.
• Exceptions: Residents under 16 and over 65, and nonresidents under 16 are exempt from needing a National Forest Permit on specified water bodies.
• Exempt Locations: Some exceptions apply on specific rivers, lakes, and reservoirs within National Forest lands.

State Forest Use Permit

• Applicability: Required for individuals aged 16 or older for various activities on state forests, including fishing.
• Activities Covered: Hunting, trapping, fishing, mountain biking, and horse riding.
• Exclusions: Permit not required for walking, hiking, or boating activities.
• Sale: Sold in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Access Permit

• Requirement: Necessary for using any DWR-owned or managed facility or boating access site.
• Exemptions: Not required for those holding a valid hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current certificate of boat registration issued by the Department, or individuals under 17 years of age.
• Fee: $4 for a daily permit or $23 for an annual permit.
• Purchase: Available online or at any license agent.

Replacement License

• Process: Visit www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com, select "Manage Your Account," and reprint your license anytime if purchased online or from a retail license agent.
• Alternative: Visit any retail license agent selling hunt/fish licenses or call the Headquarters office during normal business hours.

Reciprocal Fishing License Agreements in Virginia

Reciprocal license agreements facilitate fishing across state lines, allowing anglers to enjoy various waters under specific regulations. Here are the key agreements:

Buggs Island (Kerr) and Gaston

• Coverage: Virginia or North Carolina state fishing licenses and permits are honored on designated waters, subject to respective state regulations.
• Location: Waters east of Union Street Dam on the Dan River in Virginia to the Gaston Dam on the Roanoke River, including accessible tributary waters.
• Regulations: North Carolina regulations apply on North Carolina portions, while Virginia regulations apply in Virginia waters.

Blue Ridge Parkway

• Coverage: Virginia and North Carolina licenses accepted on all Parkway waters.
• Regulations: Virginia regulations apply in Virginia's Parkway waters, unless specified otherwise or in federal regulations.

New River

• Coverage: Virginia or North Carolina state fishing licenses honored on the mainstream portion from Alleghany County, NC, to Grayson County, VA.
• Location: Mainstream segment between the confluence of the North and South Forks of the New River in NC to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in VA.

Potomac River

Upper Potomac River

• Coverage: Resident anglers with state freshwater licenses in Virginia or Maryland allowed to fish the Upper Potomac River and its banks.

Middle Potomac and Tidal Freshwater Tributaries

• Coverage: Various licenses honored based on location and demarcation lines.
• Virginia Tributaries: Specific demarcation lines determine license applicability.
• Maryland Tributaries: Similar demarcation lines apply for Maryland tributaries.
• Lower Potomac River: Different licenses honored based on specific sections.

Note

• Maryland regulations apply in Maryland tributaries and Upper Potomac River sections.
• Potomac River Fisheries Commission regulations apply in certain areas.

Fishing Regulations at South Holston Reservoir

Anglers seeking to fish in the Tennessee and Virginia impounded waters of South Holston Reservoir must adhere to specific regulations. Here are the key points:

License Requirements

• Tennessee or Virginia Residents: A valid resident freshwater fishing license from either Tennessee or Virginia is required, along with the South Holston Reservoir License.
• Nonresidents: Must possess either a Tennessee nonresident fishing license or a South Holston Reservoir Permit, in addition to the appropriate state license.
• Age Exemption: Anglers under the age of 13 are exempt from license and permit requirements.

Fishing Boundaries

• The South Holston License is valid in impounded areas below full pool elevation of 1,730 feet.
• It includes the confluence of the Middle Fork and South Fork Holston rivers, extending upstream to the Route 710 Bridge at Alvarado, Virginia.

Trout Fishing

• A valid resident Tennessee or Virginia trout fishing license is required for trout fishing and possession on South Holston Reservoir.
• Anglers must follow state laws regarding trout fishing methods and regulations.

Size Restrictions and Creel Limits

• Bass: Minimum size limits for largemouth and smallmouth bass, with daily creel limits specified.
• Walleye: Minimum size limit enforced, along with a daily creel limit.
• Crappie: Minimum size requirement and daily creel limit in place.
• Trout: No minimum size for trout, but specific regulations apply, including a daily limit.
• Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass: Various regulations regarding size limits and daily creel limits.

Additional Regulations

• Special Gear Limits: Restrictions on trotlines, jugs, and limb-lines, including requirements for tagging with angler information.