Fishing License Info
We sell Virginia Saltwater Fishing Licenses and have the latest regulations on hand.
Get your Virginia Fisherman Identification number online by clicking here.
Get your Virginia Saltwater Fishing License online by clicking here.
Virginia Saltwater Angler Registry
The intent is to create a Virginia-wide “phone book” of saltwater anglers with their contact information.
This phone book will be given to the National Marine Fisheries Service in order to improve fishing effort surveys, and to exempt Virginia anglers from having to sign up with the National Saltwater Angler Registry and pay the annual federal registration fee.
The free Virginia Fisherman Identification Program is effective as of Jan. 1, 2011.
Here is a general rule of thumb: As of Jan. 1, 2011, virtually every adult saltwater angler (16 and older) in Virginia will need either a valid saltwater fishing license or to register with the Fisherman Identification Program every year.
So, if you have an annual Virginia saltwater fishing license of any type, or an annual Potomac River Fisheries Sport Fishing License, you DO NOT have to register with the state FIP. You will be automatically registered when you buy a license and give your contact information.
Anglers under the age of 16, lifetime license holders, and paying customers on a licensed charter or head boat also DO NOT have to register with the state FIP.
The Virginia Fisherman Identification Program is a state program to register saltwater anglers every year without charge.
Anglers can register online at http://mrc.virginia.gov/FIP/ or by calling toll-free 1-800-723-2728. Registration is quick, easy, and free. Yes, it’s free.
Important Note: the FIP registration process is only for anglers fishing in VA tidal waters that are exempt from Virginia saltwater license requirements. The most common license exemptions for saltwater fishing in VA tidal waters include fishing from a licensed public fishing pier, a non-license holder fishing from a private boat with a VA or PRFC saltwater boat license, fishing from the angler’s private property/pier, fishing in VA with a reciprocal MD saltwater license, or fishing if the angler is 65 or older; for all five of these license exemptions a license is not required, but a no-cost FIP registration is required before fishing
Maryland Saltwater Angler Registry
Saltwater anglers who are not required to hold Maryland a Bay & Coastal Sport Fishing license and want to fish the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac River must obtain a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. By registering with Maryland, you will not need to register with NOAA.
Some of the anglers who are eligible for this free registration are guests on a boat with a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Boat Decal, waterfront property owner and their family members, have a Virginia saltwater license, have a Potomac River Fisheries sport fishing license and are fishing in a free fishing area or on a Maryland Free Fishing Day. A complete list can be found in the chart below.
Obtain your Free Registration today by:
Online through COMPASS From our Live Operator Call Center 1-855-855-3906 available 7 AM to 7 PM 365 Days Our 7 DNR Service Centers Any of our more than 250 Sports License Agents
