HTML © Virginia's Fisheries Updated:March 21, 1996.
Email: stephen@sklarew.com Phone: (804) 828-1562
All residents 16 years of age and older are required to possess a state fishing license to fish for trout. Persons who fish in designated stocked waters (those waters listed in the Trout Stocking Plan) must have an additional trout license. A National Forest Stamp is necessary when fishing in most waters within the George Washington or Thomas Jefferson National Forests. Refer to your fishing regulation pamphlet for specific exemptions and costs of licenses.
When fishing in non-designated trout waters, such as wild trout streams or special regulations areas (except the Jackson River), the angler only needs a state fishing license.
However, many of the special regulation areas require a signed permit card which can be obtained at no cost from certain VDGIF offices and streamside landowners (refer to individual stream descriptions in this guide for details).
Out-of-state anglers who fish designated stocked waters need to purchase both a non-resident state fishing license (five-day non-resident licenses are available), a non-resident trout license, National Forest Stamp (where appropriate). For fishing in wild trout or special regulation waters (except the Jackson River), the non-resident needs only a non-resident state fishing license, the appropriate National Forest Stamp and special regulation permits.
Fee-fishing areas require a state fishing license and daily fishing permit that can be obtained on site.
Senior citizens holding previously issued (but no longer available) $5 senior lifetime fishing licenses do not need to purchase any additional fishing or trout licenses. Plus, Virginia residents 65 years or older do not need to purchase a National Forest Stamp.
Please consult the regulation pamphlet available where you purchased your license for specific restrictions on size, creel, gear restrictions, and season lengths.
For More Questions
Call or write to VDGIF:
Richmond 4010 W.Broad Street
HTML © Virginia's Fisheries Updated:March 21, 1996.
Email: stephen@sklarew.com Phone: (804) 828-1562