Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Virginia
State, United States. Authority : Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$72Nonresident Freshwater Fishing
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 101.6 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearFish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm RulerTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here.
€48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Minnow Crankbaits 8.3 cm, Pack of 5For : european perch, brown trout, rainbow trout · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€31.90£17.90Not shipped to the United States
8-Strand Multicolour PE Braid, 500 mFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · vertical jigging
€72.90£49.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
trout license for stocked waters only required Oct 1 - June 15
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass2 no statewide length limit; many water-specific slots/minimums | not published | |
| Walleye & saugeye2 statewide | 45.7 cm | |
| Muskellunge2 statewide | 101.6 cm | |
| Trout3 statewide general | 17.8 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here. Fish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm Ruler €48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass (combined)2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Alabama & spotted bass2 no statewide daily limit | not published |
| Walleye & saugeye (combined)2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Chain pickerel & northern pike2 statewide, no length limit | 5 per day |
| Muskellunge2 statewide | 1 per day |
| Sauger2 statewide | 2 per day |
| Trout3 general statewide | 6 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident One-Year Freshwater Fishing License1 | 1 year | US$28 |
| Resident One-Year Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$28 |
| Resident One-Year Freshwater Fishing (before Oct 1, 2026)1 | annual | US$23 |
| Resident Two-Year Freshwater Fishing1 | 2-year | US$54 |
| Resident County/City Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$21 |
| Resident Five-Day Freshwater Fishing1 | 5-day | US$19 |
| Resident Trout License (stocked waters)1 | annual | US$28 |
| Resident Senior (65+) Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$9 |
| Nonresident Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$72 |
| Nonresident Freshwater Fishing (before Oct 1, 2026)1 | annual | US$47 |
| Nonresident One-Day Freshwater Fishing1 | 1-day | US$20 |
| Nonresident One-Day Freshwater Fishing (before Oct 1, 2026)1 | 1-day | US$8 |
| Nonresident Five-Day Freshwater Fishing1 | 5-day | US$36 |
| Nonresident Five-Day Freshwater Fishing (before Oct 1, 2026)1 | 5-day | US$21 |
| Nonresident Trout License (stocked waters)1 | annual | US$48 |
Buy the licence on dwr.virginia.gov
- Ages and exemptions1
- Residents and nonresident children under 16 do not need a freshwater license (nor a trout license). Residents 65+ can buy a $9 senior freshwater license.
Good to know
Fee increase effective Oct 1, 2026 (nonresident annual $47 -> $72). Black bass: 5/day combined, no statewide length limit but many lake/river exceptions (e.g. New and James rivers: no bass 14-22 in). Separate trout license on stocked waters Oct 1 - June 15.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- no resident 1-day freshwater license listed
- license validity period (1 year from purchase) not explicitly stated on fee page
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Smith Mountain Lake reservoir, Bedford and Franklin County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Muskellunge View on the map - Lake Anna reservoir, Louisa, Orange, and Spotsylvania County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Claytor Lake reservoir, Carroll County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Muskellunge View on the map - Lake Gaston reservoir, Brunswick County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - South Holston Reservoir reservoir, Smyth County/Counties
Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Lake Moomaw reservoir
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Brook trout View on the map - Philpott Reservoir reservoir
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Briery Creek Lake lake, Prince Edward County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Back Bay autre
- New River river, Pulaski County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Muskellunge, Rainbow trout View on the map - James River river, Buckingham County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Shenandoah River river, Clarke County/Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Muskellunge View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Virginia in 2026?
The “Nonresident Freshwater Fishing” licence costs US$72 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Virginia?
Muskellunge: 101.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Virginia DWR Fishing License Information & Fees (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Virginia Freshwater Fishing - Creel and Length Limits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Virginia DWR Trout Season and Limits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Virginia DWR Trout License Requirements (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Virginia DWR Freshwater Fishing Regulations (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/2026-Freshwater-Fishing-Regulations.pdf
Last checked : 23 September 2026.