Are You Allowed To Fish On Virginia Beach?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you want to fish in Virginia,

the state does require you obtain a fishing license

. Since just about all of the fishing in Virginia Beach involves saltwater fishing, visitors are required to buy a saltwater fishing license. Those who are not required to buy a license are people aged 16 and younger or 65 and older.

Can I go fishing right now in Virginia?

Hours for fishing


Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day unless otherwise posted at Department-owned lakes, ponds, streams, or boat access sites

.

Where can you fish at Virginia Beach?

  • Little Island Park & Fishing Pier.
  • Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility.
  • Lynnhaven Marina.
  • Munden Point Park.
  • Owl Creek Boat Ramp.
  • Pungo Ferry Landing Park.
  • Sandbridge Beach Facility.
  • Waterway Access Sites.

Do you need a license to fish in the ocean in Virginia?

The Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) will require unlicensed saltwater anglers age 16 and older to register for free with the VMRC and receive an identification number annually.

If someone plans to saltwater fish without needing to buy a license, they’ll need to register with VMRC

.

What fish are biting in Virginia Beach now?

The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is reporting small spot,

roundhead and an occasional ribbon fish or spanish mackerel

. Offshore trollers are finding yellowfin tuna, mahi, marlin and swordfish. Deep droppers are catching tilefish. Inshore ocean wrecks are holding seabass and flounder.

How do you fish on the beach?

Can you fish in Virginia without a license right now?

Hi Mia, One of the most important items any person needs before they go fishing in Virginia is their fishing license.

The state of Virginia requires both residents AND non-residents to obtain a fishing license

.

Do you need a fishing license in VA right now?

As you may have seen circulating around social media, DWR has not canceled any hunting seasons or fishing opportunities.

Everyone hunting and fishing in Virginia MUST have a license

and follow all rules and regulations.

How many fishing rods can you use in Virginia?

It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in designated stocked trout waters to use more than

one rod

, one line, and one baited hook (a treble hook is considered one hook); however, any combination of artificial lures is allowed.

How do you catch fish in Virginia Beach?

How much does it cost to fish on the Virginia Beach pier?

Fishing on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier

To fish off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, it costs

$10 for adults and $5 for children under 12

. A favorite among tourists and locals, there’s much to do on the pier other than just fishing. To simply walk along the fishing pier and take in the sights, it costs $2.

How much is a VA freshwater fishing license?

State Price of Resident Fishing License (Annual) Virginia

$23 (Freshwater)

$17.50 (Saltwater) $39.50 (All waters)
Washington $29.50 (Freshwater) $30.05 (Saltwater) $55.35 (All waters) West Virginia $19 $29 (With trout stamp) Wisconsin $20 $30 (With trout stamp)

What’s biting at VA Beach Pier?

Early season fishing usually begins in late May, with anglers targeting

speckled trout, striped bass, flounder, bluefish, puppy red drum, black drum, and blue crabs

. During the summer fishing season, spot, croaker, pigfish, kingfish, and other species dominate bottom fishing catches.

Can you catch pompano in Virginia Beach?

In Virginia,

saltwater anglers enjoy seasonal catches of Florida pompano

. These delicious fish are caught in late summer from the surf, fishing piers, and near inlets.

Where can I find flounder in Virginia?

Flounder can be found

throughout the bay and in the rivers feeding the bay

. Certain areas are known for producing numbers of big fish. These include the area near the Cell, 36A off of Cape Charles,the Hump, Back River Reef, the channels at the mouth of the bay, and of course, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Can you catch fish on the beach?

The best beach fishing spots in Southern California


You can catch fish year-round just about anywhere in the surf along the Southern California shoreline

. The key is to avoid crowds and stay out of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

What is the best bait for beach fishing?

Some of the most commonly used baits for beach fishing include

pilchards, pippies, whitebait, beachworm and sandworm

. Particularly seaking, pippies and worms are ideal for fish species such as bream, whiting, flathead and dart. Go with pilchards, whitebait and pippies if you want to catch tailor or salmon.

What is beach fishing called?


Surf fishing

is land-based game fishing while standing on the shoreline or wading into the surf zone. A general term, surf fishing may or may not include casting a lure or bait, and refers to all types of shore fishing – from sandy and rocky beaches, rock jetties, or even fishing piers.

What is the fine for fishing without a license in Virginia?

Fishing, hunting, or trapping without a license is a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by

up to $500

in fines. Often these are pre-payable offenses with fines less than $500.

Who needs a VA fishing license?

A sport fishing license is required for

any person attempting to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, amphibians, or reptiles in inland or ocean waters

. Additional validations and report cards are required for certain species and areas. Available for any resident 16 years of age or older.

Can you fish year round in Virginia?

Virginia Fishing Seasons

As we mentioned,

fishing is possible 365 days a year, but it all depends on what you want to catch

. The Trout streams and Bass lakes offer rewards even in the depths of winter. But spawning seasons in spring and fall are the most productive times to visit.

What size fish can I keep in Virginia?

Virginia State Citations are earned for releasing a fish at 26-inches or greater, or weighing a fish at 7-pounds or greater.

Minimum size limit: 32-inch minimum size; except Potomac River Tributaries: 33-inch minimum size

.

Do you need a fishing license to fish on a pier in Virginia?

To pier fish in Virginia Beach, anglers will need to follow the rules and regulations set forward by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

A Virginia Saltwater Fishing License is not required for pier fishing

, but is for fishing on the beach.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.