Kentucky vs Virginia fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Kentucky is $1 cheaper than Virginia. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Kentucky is $17 cheaper than Virginia. You need a license from age 16 in Kentucky and in Virginia.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Kentucky | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $15 | $20 |
| 3 days | $35 | $36 |
| 7 days | $35 | $72 |
| 1 year | $55 | $72 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $23 | $28 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Kentucky | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Senior sportsman's license (residents 65 and over): $12 (ages 65+) Senior lifetime sportsman's license (residents 65 and over): $180 (ages 65+) | Free (salt): Anglers 65 and over in salt water (no paid license, but free FIP registration needed) Resident freshwater fishing license, age 65 and over: $9 (ages 65+) Resident special lifetime freshwater fishing license, age 65 and over: $30 (ages 65+) Resident lifetime saltwater fishing license, age 65 and over (optional): $5 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Free (salt): Anglers 65 and over in salt water (no paid license, but free FIP registration needed) |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Jun 5–6, 2027 Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 02-28 | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Kentucky fishing license · Virginia fishing license
Shared waters
Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers (West Virginia) (Kentucky rules)
A Kentucky license is valid on the main stems from a boat or the West Virginia bank, not in West Virginia tributaries or embayments. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Kentucky | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky (spotted) and Coosa bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Rainbow trout Brown trout |
7" minimum; bag 6 |
| Walleye |
Walleye, sauger and their hybrids |
Walleye and saugeye |
| Crappie |
Crappie (black and white) |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish Blue and flathead catfish |
Channel, white and flathead catfish Blue catfish |
| Striped bass |
White bass and hybrid striped bass Striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (inland) Striped bass (tidal and coastal): set each year |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a Kentucky fishing license valid in Virginia?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers (West Virginia).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Kentucky or Virginia?
1 day (fresh water): Kentucky $15, Virginia $20. 1 year (fresh water): Kentucky $55, Virginia $72.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Kentucky and Virginia?
You need a license from age 16 in Kentucky and in Virginia.