Maryland vs West Virginia fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, West Virginia is $13 cheaper than Maryland. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, West Virginia is $5 cheaper than Maryland. You need a license from age 16 in Maryland and from 15 in West 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 | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $35 | $16 |
| 3 days | $35 | $22 |
| 7 days | $45 | $34 |
| 1 year | $55 | $50 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $32 | $24 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Maryland | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 15 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior consolidated license (65 and over): $12 (ages 65+) | Class XS resident senior lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license: $25 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | Conservation Stamp (Class CS, resident): $5 Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp (Class CS/LE, non-resident): $13 |
| 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 | Not applicable |
| License on your phone | – | – |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | To 12-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Maryland fishing license · West 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
Potomac River and Jennings Randolph Lake (Maryland) (West Virginia rules)
West Virginia residents with a valid West Virginia license may fish the Potomac (including the North Branch and Jennings Randolph Lake) and the Maryland shore without a Maryland license; Maryland residents may fish Jennings Randolph Lake and the West Virginia shore without a West Virginia license. Tributaries excluded. Maryland's dates, limits and sizes apply. 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 | Maryland | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) |
| Trout |
Trout (all species) |
Trout (rainbow, golden rainbow, brook, brown, tiger) |
| Walleye |
15" minimum; bag 5 |
Walleye Sauger |
| Crappie |
No minimum; bag 15 |
Crappie, bluegill and other sunfish |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass: set each year |
Striped, hybrid striped and white bass |
| Northern pike |
30" minimum; bag 2 |
30" minimum; bag 1 (possession 2) |
| Yellow perch |
9" minimum; bag 5 (Non-tidal rivers and streams; 2 more) |
No minimum; bag 30 (possession 60) (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskie |
Muskellunge and tiger musky |
Questions
Is a Maryland fishing license valid in West 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); Potomac River and Jennings Randolph Lake (Maryland).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Maryland or West Virginia?
1 day (fresh water): Maryland $35, West Virginia $16. 1 year (fresh water): Maryland $55, West Virginia $50.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Maryland and West Virginia?
You need a license from age 16 in Maryland and from 15 in West Virginia.