Virginia Free Fishing Days
License-free dates DWR announced for 2026, and what still applies.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Blacksburg: Christopher Bowns, CC BY-SA 2.0
Virginia Free Fishing Days DWR has announced
DWR announced 2 free fishing periods for 2026: June 5–7, 2026 (spring) and September 25–27, 2026 (fall (inaugural)).
The fall dates were new in 2026. 2027 dates had not been published when this page was checked on November 6, 2026
Virginia DWR Free Fishing Days release, read November 6, 2026.
What Virginia Free Fishing Days waive, and what they do not
- June 5–7, 2026license-free freshwater fishing (press release title: Get Hooked During Free Fishing Days: June 5–7, 2026)
- September 25–27, 2026no fishing licenses of any kind for recreational rod and reel fishing in fresh and saltwater; facilities use permits not required; stocked trout waters open without trout license; fee fishing areas still charge; all other regulations apply
Virginia DWR Free Fishing Days release, read November 6, 2026.
Virginia limits that hold on a free day
| Fish as printed | Where it applies | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Alabama, Spotted Bass | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | statewide | 4 per day in the aggregate | No fish less than 20 inches |
| Walleye, Saugeye | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate | No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches |
| Sauger | statewide | 2 per day | No statewide length limits |
| White Bass | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Muskellunge | statewide | 1 per day | No muskellunge less than 40 inches |
| Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye) and Roanoke Bass | statewide | 50 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Crappie (black or white) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Rock Bass (redeye) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with Roanoke bass | No statewide length limits |
| Roanoke Bass | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass | No statewide length limits |
| Perch (yellow and white) | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Trout | statewide | 6 per day | 7 inch minimum size |
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Virginia fish named in Virginia Free Fishing Days, shown in photos
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: Alabama Extension, CC0 1.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Virginia Free Fishing Days questions
When are Virginia Free Fishing Days in 2026?
June 5–7, 2026 and September 25–27, 2026.
Have the 2027 Free Fishing Days been announced?
Not when this page was checked on November 6, 2026.
Do I need a saltwater license on a free day?
Not during September 25–27, 2026: DWR said no licenses of any kind are needed for recreational rod and reel fishing in fresh and saltwater.
Is a trout license needed on Free Fishing Days?
DWR said stocked trout waters were open without a trout license during the fall 2026 dates; fee fishing areas still charge.
Do creel limits still apply?
Yes, every other regulation applies, including creel and length limits.
Who can fish free?
Whoever fishes during the announced dates, within the scope DWR gave each period, shown above.
Do fee fishing areas still charge?
Yes; DWR said fee fishing areas still require their daily permit.
Where are the dates announced?
In DWR press releases and its Free Fishing Days page, read November 6, 2026.