North Carolina vs Virginia fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, North Carolina is $7 cheaper than Virginia. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, North Carolina is $16 cheaper than Virginia. You need a license from age 16 in North Carolina 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 | North Carolina | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $29 | $20 |
| 3 days | $29 | $36 |
| 7 days | $29 | $72 |
| 1 year | $56 | $72 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $15 | $10 |
| 3 days | $15 | $10 |
| 7 days | $15 | $10 |
| 1 year | $40 | $25 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $32 | $28 |
| Salt water | $20 | $17.50 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| North Carolina | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Age 70 resident lifetime inland fishing license: $20 (ages 70+) | 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 | Sun, Jul 4, 2027 Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | It depends on the boat and where you fish | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: North Carolina fishing license · Virginia fishing license
Shared waters
Kerr, Gaston, Dan, Staunton and New rivers (Virginia) (North Carolina rules)
North Carolina and Virginia licenses are both honored for boat fishing on Kerr and Gaston reservoirs and their tributaries reachable by boat, the Dan River east of the Union Street Dam in Danville, the Staunton River east of the mouth of Difficult Creek, and a stretch of the New River on the state line between Alleghany County (NC) and Grayson County (VA). Secondary source: NC inland fishing, hunting and trapping digest 2026-27 (online edition)
Kerr (Buggs Island) and Gaston reservoirs (North Carolina) (Virginia rules)
Virginia or North Carolina fishing licenses and permits are honored on these waters, from the Dan River area to Gaston Dam. Each state's rules apply on its own side. 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 | North Carolina | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Walleye |
No minimum; bag 8 |
Walleye and saugeye |
| Crappie |
No statewide minimum (8" on many named waters); bag No statewide limit (20 on many named waters) |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and bodie bass (inland) Striped bass (coastal): set each year |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (inland) Striped bass (tidal and coastal): set each year |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
Red drum |
| Spotted seatrout |
14" to 20"; 1 over 26" allowed; bag 3 |
Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) |
| Flounder |
Southern flounder: set each year |
Summer flounder: set each year |
| Cobia |
Cobia: set each year |
Cobia: set each year |
| Black sea bass |
13" minimum; bag 15 (North of Cape Hatteras; 1 more) |
Black sea bass: set each year |
Questions
Is a North Carolina fishing license valid in Virginia?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Kerr, Gaston, Dan, Staunton and New rivers (Virginia); Kerr (Buggs Island) and Gaston reservoirs (North Carolina).
Which is cheaper for visitors, North Carolina or Virginia?
1 day (fresh water): North Carolina $29, Virginia $20. 1 year (fresh water): North Carolina $56, Virginia $72.
At what age do you need a fishing license in North Carolina and Virginia?
You need a license from age 16 in North Carolina and in Virginia.