Virginia vs West Virginia fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, West Virginia is $14 cheaper than Virginia. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, West Virginia is $22 cheaper than Virginia. You need a license from age 16 in Virginia 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 | Virginia | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $20 | $16 |
| 3 days | $36 | $22 |
| 7 days | $72 | $34 |
| 1 year | $72 | $50 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $28 | $24 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Virginia | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 15 |
| Senior residents | 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+) | Class XS resident senior lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license: $25 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Free (salt): Anglers 65 and over in salt water (no paid license, but free FIP registration needed) | 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 | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | Not applicable |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | To 12-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Virginia fishing license · West Virginia fishing license
Shared waters
Ohio River (Ohio) (West Virginia rules)
Valid Ohio or West Virginia resident licenses allow fishing on the Ohio River, its embayments, or from either bank (not tributaries above embayments). West Virginia law applies on the river proper and West Virginia banks and embayments; Ohio law on Ohio banks and embayments. Official source
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
Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers (Kentucky) (West Virginia rules)
West Virginia or Kentucky residents with valid resident licenses may fish the main stem from the Ohio River up to the Virginia line (not tributaries). From a boat, follow the rules of the state that issued your license; from the bank, the rules of the state you are in. 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 | Virginia | 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 |
7" minimum; bag 6 |
Trout (rainbow, golden rainbow, brook, brown, tiger) |
| Walleye |
Walleye and saugeye |
Walleye Sauger |
| Crappie |
Crappie (black and white) |
Crappie, bluegill and other sunfish |
| Catfish |
Channel, white and flathead catfish Blue catfish |
Channel catfish Blue catfish |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (inland) Striped bass (tidal and coastal): set each year |
Striped, hybrid striped and white bass |
| Northern pike |
Northern pike and chain pickerel |
30" minimum; bag 1 (possession 2) |
| Yellow perch |
No minimum; bag No daily limit (Statewide; 1 more) |
No minimum; bag 30 (possession 60) (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge and tiger musky |
Questions
Is a Virginia fishing license valid in West Virginia?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Ohio River (Ohio); Potomac River and Jennings Randolph Lake (Maryland); Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers (Kentucky).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Virginia or West Virginia?
1 day (fresh water): Virginia $20, West Virginia $16. 1 year (fresh water): Virginia $72, West Virginia $50.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Virginia and West Virginia?
You need a license from age 16 in Virginia and from 15 in West Virginia.