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This page is maintained by Bill Britton; send email or use the Guestbook. Last updated: 12/2/98.
Index:
License Information General Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Freshwater Fishing License Fees
Licenses and permits are valid from January 1- December 31.
A $.50 issuance fee will be added to each license.
Resident Fees
| To fish in county or city of residence | 5.00 |
| To fish statewide | 12.00 |
| To fish statewide for 5 consecutive days | 5.00 |
| To fish in designated stocked trout waters (required in addition to regular fishing license or 5 day license) | 12.00 |
| 65 and over license to fish (trout license required in addition) | 1.00 |
| Special lifetime to fish (trout license required in addition) | 250.00 |
| Total and permanently disabled special lifetime license (trout license required in addition) | 5.00 |
| Total and permanently disabled Veteran lifetime license to hunt and fish (trout license required in addition) | 5.00 |
| To fish statewide | 30.00 |
| To fish statewide for 5 consecutive days | 6.00 |
| To fish in designated stocked trout waters (required in addition to nonresident fishing license or 5 day license) | 30.00 |
| Nonresident special lifetime to fish (trout license required inaddition) | 500.00 |
| National forest permit, required in addition to license, to hunt, fish or trap on national forest (holders of senior citizen [age 65] license excepted) | 3.00 |
| County dip net permit to take shad, herring, and mullet | 3.50 |
License Information
Who Qualifies For A Resident Fishing License
Virginia residents age 16 and older are required to obtain a
fishing license before fishing on the inland waters of this state.
Those entitled to buy resident licenses are: (1) persons who
have physically resided in the city, county, or state for six
consecutive months immediately preceding the date of application
for license; (2) persons who have been domiciliary residents of
the state for at least two months upon approval of a completed
affidavit to be furnished by the Game Department. Legal voters,
members of the armed forces on active duty stationed in
Virginia and students regularly enrolled in and boarding at any
bona fide school who presents a certificate of enrollment. When
authorized by the commanding officer of a military reservation,
a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty may purchase
a resident license to fish on that reservation only. Unnaturalized
owners of real property in Virginia who have resided in a county
for five years immebiately prior to making application for a
license may apply for resident licenses only in the county where
they qualify. It is unlawful to fish on waters of any public or
private club, association or preserve without a proper license.
Who Does Not Need A License
Persons not required to have fishing licenses are: (1)
residents under 16 years of age (also do not need a trout license); (2)
landowners, their spouse, children and minor grandchildren
within the boundaries of their own land; (3) tenants on the land
they rent and occupy if they have written permission of the
landowner; (4) guest fishing in individually owned private
ponds; (5) non-resident children under 12 (except in designated
stocked trout waters) when accompanied by a properly licensed adult;
and (6) legally blind persons.
National Forest Permit
All persons required to have a license (except holders of a senior
citizen license) are required to have a National Forest permit when
fishing on NationaI Forest lands except the North and South Fork of
the Shenandoah River, Skidmore Lake in Rockingham County, Lake
Moomaw, the Jackson River below Gathright Dam, and in Wilson
Creek below Douthat Lake in Alleghany and Bath countes.
Reciprocal Licenses
Buggs Island (Kerr) and Gaston: Virginia or North Carolina
state fishing licenses and permits are honored on those waters
lying east of Brantly Steam Plant Dam on the Dan River in Virginia
and the mouth of Difficult Creek on the Staunton River of
Kerr Reservoir to the Gaston Dam on the Roanoke River, including
all tributary waters accessible by boat from the main
bodies of the reservoirs, or from the Island Creek subimpoundment.
(Note: North Carolina regulations apply on North Carolina portions of
these waters.)
Blue Ridge Parkway: Virginia and North Carolina licenses are honored on all Parkway waters. (Note: Virginia regulations apply in Parkway waters in Virginia except where noted herein or in federal regulations).
New River: Virginia or North Carolina state fishing licenses and permits are honored on the mainstream portion lying between the confluence of the North and South Forks of the New River in North Carolina (Alleghany County) downstream to the confluence of the New and Little Rivers in Virginia (Grayson County).
Potomac River: Virginia has reciprocal license agreements for two sections of the Potomac Rver, one above the District of Columbia and one below the District of Columbia. License requirements are different for the two sections.
Upper Potomac River: Resident anglers with state licenses in
Virginia or Maryland may fish the Potomac River and from
both banks above Little Falls (upper border with the District of
Columbia).
Lower Potomac and its tidal freshwater tributaries: A valid
recreational fishing license from Maryland, Virginia (excluding
a Virginia County fishing license) or the Potomac River Fisheries
Commission is honored in tidal waters of the Potomac
River and its freshwater tributaries between the lower border
with the District of Columbia and the Rt. 301 Bridge, including
some Maryland tributaries. Please see the Virginia Freshwater &
Saltwater Fishing Regulations booklet for details.
General Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Fishing in inland waters must be by angling with a hook and
line or rod and reel, held in the hand. (See the Virginia Freshwater &
Saltwater Fishing Regulations booklet for exceptions for
nongame fish.) A hand landing net may be used to land fish
legally hooked in all waters. Any person who fishes on another's
property must have the landowner's permission to do so
except on designated stocked trout waters along which signs
have been placed indicating that the waters are open to public
fishing. No species of fish, freshwater mussel or mollusc may be
taken in inland waters to be sold, except under special permits
provided by law. It is unlawful to use lime, dynamite or any
other substances to destroy fish, or to cast or allow noxious matter
to pass into watercourses that might destroy fish or fish
spawn, or to deposit trash in streams or lakes or along their
banks. It is unlawful to have more than the daily creel limit of
any fish in possession while afield or on the waters. The daily
creel limit includes live possession of fish. it is unlawful to stock
any species of fish into inland waters of the Commonwealth
without first obtaining written approval from the Department
(private ponds excepted).
Virginia Game Fishes
"Game fish" as defined by the Code of Virginia means and
includes trout, all of the sunfish family (including largemouth
bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass, rock bass, bream,
bluegill and crappie), walleye, white bass, chain pickerel,
muskellunge, northern pike and striped bass.
Designated Stocked Trout Waters
"Designated stocked trout waters" will include those waters
that are stocked with harvestable-sized trout and are listed by
the director in the annual Trout Stocking Plan. These waters will
only be considered designated stocked trout waters from October 1
through June 15 (trout license required). A trout license is
not required from June 16 through September 30. See exceptions
for Urban Fishing Program Waters and Pay-As-You-Go
Trout Fishing. Designated stocked trout waters
are posted by the Department with appropriate "stocked trout
waters" signs.
It is unlawful to fish in designated stocked trout waters after
the daily creel limit of trout has been obtained or during the
closed hours for taking trout. It is unlawful to feed, bait or snag
trout in designated stocked trout waters. It is unlawful to use
seines, nets or more than one rod and one hook in these waters,
although it shall be lawful to use a hand-landing net to land
legally hooked trout.
Dam Regulations
Buggs Island: Mechanical lure launchers may not be used
within 600 yards below Buggs Island Dam.
Walkers Dam: Only rod and reel and hand lines permitted
within 500 yards below dam. It is illegal to snag fish at Walkers
Dam.
Leesville Dam: it shall be unlawful to fish, attempt to fish,
assist others in fishing, collect or attempt to collect bait while
wading, operating or anchoring any vessel in the waters of the
Roanoke River from Leesville Dam, downstream 840 feet to a
permanent overhead cable. However, fishing is permitted from
behind safety railings of the Department's Leesville Dam fishing
structure.
Free Freshwater Fishing Days
The first Saturday and Sunday in June have been desiginated
as Free Fishing Days in Virginia. No fishing license of any kind
will be required for rod and reel fishing in freshwater except in
designated stocked trout waters.
Trout
Season: All year. Trout angling hours on
designated stocked trout waters are from
5:00 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
Minimum size: 7 inches (see Special Trout Regulations for exceptions)
Creel Limit: 6 per day (see Special Trout
Regulations for exceptions)
Special Trout Regulations
Urban Fishing Program Waters
Waters selected by the Director for inclusion into
the Urban Fishing Program will be considered designated
stocked trout waters from November 1
through April 30 only (trout license required). A trout license is
not required from May 1 through October 31. In addition, trout
may be creeled from these waters year round and the trout creel
limit is 4 per day.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Fishing is prohibited from one half
hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise. No live or
dead fish or fish eggs may be used as bait and digging for
worms is prohibited. Special creel limits and other regulations
for parkway waters may be posted.
Shenandoah National Park
Artificial lures with single
hooks only may be used--no bait.
Full text of SNP Fishing Regulations is also available on VCCTU's home page.
Jackson River
No trout may be in possession while fishing
from Gathright Dam downstream to the Westvaco Dam at Covington.
Reservoirs
Trout may be taken year round in South Holston,
Flannagan, Moomaw and Philpott reservoirs. There is a
16-inch minimum size limit and 2 fish per day creel limit on
trout taken from Flannagan, Philpott and Moomaw reservoirs.
Statewide size and creel limits apply to South Holston Reservoir.
Special Trout Stream Areas
Fishing in the following waters is permitted under the following
regulations only:
| 9-inch Minimum |
|---|
| Big and Little Wilson Creeks (Grayson County): That portion within the Grayson Highland State Park and the Jefferson National Forest Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. |
| Conway River (Greene and Madison counties): That portion of stream and its tributaries within the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. |
| Little Stony Creek (Giles County): That portion of stream within the Jefferson National Forest. |
| Little Stony Creek (Shenandoah County): That portion of stream within the George Washington National Forest. |
| North Creek (Botetourt County): That portion of stream and its tributaries upstream from the first bridge above North Creek Campground. |
| North Fork Buffalo River (Amherst County): That portion of the stream and its tributaries within the George Washington NationalForest. |
| St. Mary's River (Augusta County): That portion of stream and its tributaries upstream from the gate near the George Washington National Forest property line. |
| Ramsey's Draft (Augusta County): That portion of the stream and its tributaries within the George Washington National Forest. |
| 12-inch Minimum |
|---|
| Green Cove Creek (Washington County): That portion of stream from Rt. 859 downstream to its mouth. |
| Snake Creek (Carroll County): Upstream from its mouth to Hall Ford on Big Snake Fork and to the junction of Rts. 922 and 674 on Little Snake Fork. |
| Smith Creek (Alleghany County): That portion from the Clifton Forge Dam downstream to a sign at the Forest Service boundary above the C & O Dam. |
| Jackson River (Bath County): From the swinging bridge located just upstream from the mouth of Muddy Run upstream 3 miles to the last ford on Forest Service Road 481D. |
| Whitetop Laurel (Washington County): That portion of stream upstream from the first railroad trestle above Taylor Valley to the mouth of Green Cove Creek at Creek Junction. |
| 16-inch Minimum 2 Fish Per Day |
|---|
| Buffalo Creek (Rockbridge County): From the confluence of Collier's Creek upstream 2.9 miles to the confluence of North and South Buffalo creeks. |
| Dan River (Patrick County): That portion from Talbott Dam approximately 6 miles downstream to a sign posted just upstream from the confluence of the Dan River and Townes Reservoir. |
| Smith River (Henry County): That portion of stream from signs below the east bank of Towne Creek for a distance of 3 miles downstream, to the Rt. 666 bridge crossing in Bassett, VA. |
| South Fork Holston River (Smyth County): That portion from a sign posted at the Jefferson National Forest boundary downstream from the confluence of the South Fork and Comers Creek upstream for approximately two miles to a sign posted at the upper Jefferson National Forest boundary. |
| 20-inch Minimum 1 Fish Per Day Single Hook, Artificial Flies |
|---|
| Mossy Creek (Augusta County): That portion of stream upstream from the Augusta/Rockingham county line to a sign posted at the confluence of Joseph's Spring. |
| Catch and Release Only |
|---|
| Dan River (Patrick County): That portion of stream and its tributaries between the Townes Dam and the Pinnacles Hydroelectric Powerhouse. |
| East Fork Chestnut Creek (Farmers Creek) (Grayson and Carroll counties): That portion of stream and its tributaries upstream from the Blue Ridge Parkway. |
| North Fork Moormans River (Albemarle County): That portion of the stream within the Shenandoah National Park. |
| Rapidan River (Madison County): That portion of stream and its tributaries (including Staunton River) upstream from a sign at the lower Shenandoah National Park boundary. |
| Roaring Fork (Tazewell County): That portion upstream from the southwest boundary of Beartown Wilderness Area. |
| South Fork Holston River (Smyth County): In that section within the boundaries of the Buller Fish Culture Station. |
| Stewart's Creek (Carroll County): Within the boundaries of the Stewart's Creek Wildlife Management Area. |
These waters are stocked regularly with catchable trout throughout the fee permit season. Anglers are required to buy a daily permit in addition to the applicable resident or non-resident license. Trout licenses are not required to fish in the area during the fee permit season. The daily permit will be required from the third Saturday in March through Labor Day at Clinch Mountain WMA (except Little Tumbling Creek) and at Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Area in Carroll County; and from the third Saturday in March through September 30th at Douthat State Park Lake and Wilson Creek. A trout license is required from October 1 to the third Saturday in March. The daily creel limit is 6 trout. Fishermen are required to use separate stringers. Bait or artificial lures may be used as posted.
Shooting with a rifle for suckers and carp from April 15 to May 31 during daylight hours in the shoals of the Clinch River within the limits of Scott County except, that it shall be unlawful to shoot fish on Sunday or within the limits of any town, or from any bridge. Fishing license is required. Creel limit 20 per day.
| Richmond (Central Headquarters) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
4010 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23230-11104 (804) 367-1000 (V/TDD)
| |||
| Ashland | 12108 Washington Hwy. Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 752-5503
|
Blacksburg | 2206 So. Main St. Suite C Blacksburg,VA 24060 (540) 951-7923
|
| Charlottesville | One Morton Drive Suite 101 Charlottesville, VA 22903 (804) 296-4731
|
Farmville | HC 6, Box 46 Farmville, VA 23901 (804) 392-9645
|
| Forest | Rt. 6, Box 410 Forest, VA 24551 (804) 525-7522
|
Fredericksburg | 1320 Belman Road. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (540) 899-4169
|
| Marion | Rt. 1, Box 107 Marion, VA 24354 (540) 783-4860
|
Suffolk | 5268 Godwin Boulevard Suffolk,VA 23434 (804) 255-0523
|
| Verona | P.0. Box 996 Verona, VA 24482 (540) 248-9360
|
Vinton | 209 E. Cleveland Vinton, VA 24179 (540)857-7704
|
| Williamsburg | 5806 Mooretown Road Williamsburg, VA 23188 (804) 253-7072
| ||
HOME | About VCC | New | Fish Stories | Va. Fishing Info | Guestbook
This page is maintained by Bill Britton; send email or use the Guestbook. Last updated: 12/2/98.