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Saltwater Fishing License

A recreational saltwater fishing license is required in Virginia's portion of the Chesapeake Bay, its tidal tributaries, and Virginia's Territorial Sea.  Boundaries associated with these areas are described below:

"Territorial sea" means the waters within the belt, three nautical miles wide, that is adjacent to Virginia's coast and seaward of the mean low-water mark (from COV 28.2-100; this is the outer Atlantic Ocean boundary of Virginia tidal area requiring a license from the Commission).

Note to non-resident fishermen:  there are no additional fees above license costs listed above for non-resident fishermen to fish recreationally in Virginia tidal waters.  If you hold a valid fishing license in Maryland or from the Potomac River Fisheries Commission you may not need another license to fish in Virginia.  Read the comments below on license reciprocity for more information.

License Exemptions:

1. Children under 16 years of age
2. Persons 65 years of age or older
3. Landowners, their spouses and children, and their non-paying guests when fishing from the landowners' private real property.  Individuals that rent and fish from private real property, their non-paying guests, or their immediate family.
4. Persons fishing on a recreational boat, charter boat, headboat, partyboat, commercial fishing pier, or rental boat which possesses a valid Virginia recreational fishing license covering all persons using such craft or structure
5. Persons fishing with commercial gear licensed by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission
6. Persons fishing  from the shores of Assateague National Seashore Park.
7. Organized groups of individuals with physical or mental limitations, veterans in veterans hospitals, and school groups (K-12) with permission from the Commission
8. Individual purchasers of a saltwater recreational boat license

Reciprocal Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses:

Chesapeake Bay and Seaside - Anglers with saltwater licenses from either Virginia or Maryland may fish in any portion of the Chesapeake Bay, or any of the saltwater reaches of its tributary rivers, as well as seaside bays and creeks and the Atlantic Ocean where a Virginia saltwater license is required. Virginia licenses honored include: 1) individual annual licenses; 2) individual temporary licenses; 3) private boat licenses covering all persons fishing on the boat; 4) annual licenses for charter boats, headboats, and partyboats; and 5) annual licenses for rental boats.

Potomac River - Anglers with saltwater licenses from either Virginia or the Potomac River Fisheries Commission may fish in any portion of the mainstem of the Potomac River to the lower border of D.C.. Virginia licenses honored include: 1) individual annual licenses; 2) individual temporary licenses; 3) private boat licenses covering all persons fishing on the boat; 4) annual licenses for charter boats, headboats, and partyboats; and 5) annual licenses for rental boats.

Virginia saltwater recreational licenses purchased for fishing in ocean waters are the same license used for Bay waters and have the same reciprocity described above.

For a list of licensed agents click here

To order online click here