Fishing the Virginia side of the Bay? Here is what a Virginia saltwater fishing license costs, and who does not need one.

Quick answer: A Virginia saltwater fishing license costs $17.50 a year for residents and $25 for non-residents; a 10-day license is $10. Anglers under 16 need no license. Anglers 65 and older need no paid license but must get a free FIP registration. A Maryland Chesapeake Bay license is honored in Virginia tidal waters, with FIP.

Contents

Who Needs a License

You need one to fish Virginia tidal waters. That goes out three miles into the ocean.[1] Kids under 16 need nothing. At 65 and up, you need no paid license. But you need a free FIP sign-up. Ages 16 to 64 need a paid license, with a few exceptions.[1]

Common Exemptions

Some anglers can skip the paid license. Say you fish from a licensed charter boat. Or from a boat with a Virginia boat license. Or from a pier with a VMRC license. Most of these still need FIP.[1]

License Prices

License Resident Non-resident
Individual saltwater, 1 year $17.50 $25
10-day saltwater $10 $10
Saltwater and freshwater $44.50 $96
Recreational boat, saltwater $48 $76

Source: VMRC.[1]

What Is FIP?

FIP is the free Fisherman Identification Program. If you fish saltwater without needing to buy a license, you register each year for free. You do not need it if you only fish from a licensed charter boat.[1]

Maryland Licenses Work Here

Virginia and Maryland honor each other’s Bay licenses. So do the Potomac River rules. With a Maryland Bay license, you can fish in Virginia. You just need FIP too.[1]

Where to Buy

Licenses are sold by the Department of Wildlife Resources, online or by phone at 1-866-721-6911.[1] For 2026, June 5 to 7 were declared saltwater free fishing days.[2]

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Virginia saltwater fishing license? $17.50 for residents and $25 for non-residents, for one year.

Do seniors need a fishing license in Virginia? No paid license at 65 and older, but a free FIP registration is required.

Is my Maryland fishing license good in Virginia? A Maryland Chesapeake Bay and Coastal license is honored in Virginia tidal waters, with FIP.

References

Pick a Virginia Bay town on our map.