Maryland vs Virginia fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Maryland is $1 cheaper than Virginia. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Maryland is $17 cheaper than Virginia. You need a license from age 16 in Maryland 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 | Maryland | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $35 | $20 |
| 3 days | $35 | $36 |
| 7 days | $45 | $72 |
| 1 year | $55 | $72 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $12 | $10 |
| 3 days | $12 | $10 |
| 7 days | $12 | $10 |
| 1 year | $22.50 | $25 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $32 | $28 |
| Salt water | $15 | $17.50 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Maryland | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior consolidated license (65 and over): $12 (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 | Sat, Jun 5, 2027 Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Maryland fishing license · Virginia fishing license
Shared waters
Potomac River (non-tidal, Virginia and West Virginia shores) (Maryland rules)
Virginia and West Virginia residents with their home-state license may fish the non-tidal Potomac opposite their shore (and, for West Virginia, the North Branch and Jennings Randolph Reservoir) without a Maryland license, while a reciprocal agreement is in place. Secondary source: Maryland Natural Resources Article 4-606 (LegalFix)2
Tidal Potomac River (Maryland rules)
Below Route 301 the main stem is regulated by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission; Virginia saltwater, Maryland Bay sport and PRFC licenses are honored. Between Route 301 and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Virginia freshwater and saltwater, PRFC and Maryland Bay sport licenses are honored. Above that to Little Falls, D.C. rules and licenses apply. Official source2
Potomac River (Maryland and DC) (Virginia rules)
Upper Potomac: Virginia or Maryland resident freshwater licenses are honored, and Maryland rules apply. Between the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and Little Falls a DC fishing license is needed. In tidal waters, certain Maryland saltwater licenses (with FIP) and Potomac River Fisheries Commission licenses are honored in Virginia. Official source2
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 | Maryland | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Trout (all species) |
7" minimum; bag 6 |
| Walleye |
15" minimum; bag 5 |
Walleye and saugeye |
| Crappie |
No minimum; bag 15 |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass: set each year |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (inland) Striped bass (tidal and coastal): set each year |
| Northern pike |
30" minimum; bag 2 |
Northern pike and chain pickerel |
| Yellow perch |
9" minimum; bag 5 (Non-tidal rivers and streams; 2 more) |
No minimum; bag No daily limit (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskie |
Muskellunge |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
Red drum |
| Spotted seatrout |
14" minimum; bag 4 |
Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) |
| Flounder |
Summer flounder |
Summer flounder: set each year |
| Cobia |
43" total length; bag 1 per person; 2 per boat with 2 or more people |
Cobia: set each year |
| Black sea bass |
12.5" minimum; bag 15 |
Black sea bass: set each year |
Questions
Is a Maryland fishing license valid in Virginia?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Potomac River (non-tidal, Virginia and West Virginia shores); Tidal Potomac River; Potomac River (Maryland and DC).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Maryland or Virginia?
1 day (fresh water): Maryland $35, Virginia $20. 1 year (fresh water): Maryland $55, Virginia $72.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Maryland and Virginia?
You need a license from age 16 in Maryland and in Virginia.