Pennsylvania vs West Virginia fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, West Virginia is $9.97 cheaper than Pennsylvania. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, West Virginia is $10.97 cheaper than Pennsylvania. You need a license from age 16 in Pennsylvania 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 | Pennsylvania | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $31.97 | $16 |
| 3 days | $31.97 | $22 |
| 7 days | $39.47 | $34 |
| 1 year | $60.97 | $50 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $27.97 | $24 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Pennsylvania | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 15 |
| Senior residents | Senior resident annual fishing license (65 and over): $14.47 (ages 65+) Senior resident lifetime fishing license (65 and over): $86.97 (ages 65+) 3-year senior resident fishing license: $39.47 (ages 65+) 5-year senior resident fishing license: $64.47 (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 | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Not applicable |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | To 12-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Pennsylvania fishing license · West Virginia fishing license
Shared waters
Neither state lists a special agreement for waters shared with the other. Where you fish decides which license you need.
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 | Pennsylvania | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) |
| Trout |
Trout (all species) |
Trout (rainbow, golden rainbow, brook, brown, tiger) |
| Walleye |
Walleye and saugeye |
Walleye Sauger |
| Crappie |
Sunfish, yellow perch, crappie, catfish and other panfish |
Crappie, bluegill and other sunfish |
| Catfish |
Sunfish, yellow perch, crappie, catfish and other panfish |
Channel catfish Blue catfish |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass |
Striped, hybrid striped and white bass |
| Northern pike |
24" minimum; bag 2 |
30" minimum; bag 1 (possession 2) |
| Yellow perch |
Sunfish, yellow perch, crappie, catfish and other panfish |
No minimum; bag 30 (possession 60) (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge |
Muskellunge and tiger musky |
Questions
Is a Pennsylvania fishing license valid in West Virginia?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Pennsylvania or West Virginia?
1 day (fresh water): Pennsylvania $31.97, West Virginia $16. 1 year (fresh water): Pennsylvania $60.97, West Virginia $50.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Pennsylvania and West Virginia?
You need a license from age 16 in Pennsylvania and from 15 in West Virginia.