Boasting over 20,000 miles of streams and over a hundred fishing lakes, West Virginia, a.k.a. the Mountain State, offers anglers a fishing haven. The waters of West Virginia have healthy populations of trout, largemouth bass, walleye, tiger muskie, crappie, yellow perch, white bass, and catfish; it’s no wonder anglers flock to go fish there. Fishing licenses in West Virginia range from $3.00-$805.00.
In West Virginia, you will pay from $19.00-$805.00 for a resident fishing license, all dependent on age, duration of the license, and combination of the license. A non-resident will pay between $3.00 for a one-day license and $37.00 for an annual license. Fishing stamps will also need to be obtained.
Purchasing a fishing license is considered the first step in ensuring that you will legally catch fish in West Virginia. The second step is to make sure that you purchase all the relevant fishing stamps that coincide with your license type and cover the type of fishing you are planning to do. This article will highlight all the possible costs to you before heading off to West Virginia for your trip of a lifetime.
How Much Does A Fishing License Cost In West Virginia?
When you purchase the applicable fishing license, it is important to note what fishing stamps you will also require. West Virginia has a few stamps that we will list to make your task a bit easier. Compliance is key to ensuring that you and your family or friends have a hassle-free experience.
An important tip when purchasing an annual license is to remember that it will be valid for the calendar year, so try and buy it at the start of the year.
Let us start by discussing the cost of the different fishing licenses that the “Mountain State” has to offer:
Resident Annual Fishing License Cost
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| 5-Day Fishing License | Class L | $8.00 |
| Apprentice Jr. Hunting/Trapping/Fishing | Class AHJ LicenseFor residents aged 15-17 years oldIncludes privileges of Class XJ | $16.00 |
| Resident Annual Jr. Sportsman Fish/Hunt/Trap License | Class XJ LicenseFor residents aged 15-17 years old | $16.00 |
| Resident Annual Fish License | Class B LicenseFor residents aged 18-64 years of age | $19.00 |
| Resident Annual Sportsman Fish/Hunt/Trap License | Class X LicenseFor residents aged 18-64 years of age | 35.00 |
| Sportsman Hunting/Trapping/Fishing Plus License | Class XPAn annual license that also includes Trout Stamp | $45.00 |
| Sportsman Hunting/Trapping/Fishing 3-Year License | Class X3 LicenseA three-year Sportsman License | $105.00 |
| Sportsman Hunting/Trapping/Fishing Plus 3-Year License | Class XP3 LicenseThis is a three-year Sportsman License that also includes the Trout Stamp | $135.00 |
Non-Resident Annual Fishing License Cost
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| Non-Resident One-Day Fishing License | Class LL License | $3.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Fishing License | Class F License | $37.00 |
| Non-Resident Jr. Sportsman Fish/Hunt/Trap License | Class XXJ LicenseFor Non-Residents aged 15-17 years | $16.00 |
| National Forest Hunting/Trapping/Fishing License | Class I LicenseRequirement on National Forests in addition to Class F, QQ, or LL Licenses | $2.00 |
Lifetime Fishing License Cost
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| Senior Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License | Class XS LicenseIt is required for anglers who turn 65 on or after 01 January 2012Conservation stamp not required | $25.00 |
| Trout Fishing-Infant License | Class O-L-I LicenseOnly valid when accompanied by a Class B, AB-L, AB-L-I, B-L, B-L-I, X, or XJ LicenseMust be purchased before infant turns 2-years old | $115.00 |
| Trout Fishing License | Class O-L LicenseOnly valid when accompanied by a Class B, AB-L, AB-L-I, B-L, B-L-I, X, or XJ License | $230.00 |
| Fishing-Infant License | Class B-L-I LicenseConservation Stamp not requiredMust be purchased before infant turns 2-years old | $276.00 |
| Fishing License | Class B-L LicenseConservation Stamp not required | $552.00 |
| Combination Hunting/Trapping/Fishing-Infant License | Class AB-L-I LicenseConservation Stamp not requiredMust be purchased before infant turns 2-years old | $402.50 |
| Combination Hunting/Trapping/Fishing License | Class AB-L LicenseConservation Stamp not required | $805.00 |
Resident Stamp Costs
| Type Of Stamp | Description Of Stamp | Cost Of Stamp |
| Conservation Stamp | Class CS StampRequired for licensed anglers except for holders of Class X, XJ, XS, A-L, B-L, and AB-L Licenses | $5.00 |
| Trout Fishing Stamp | Class ORequired of any licensed anglers fishing for trout, except for holders of Class XS License | $10.00 |
Non-Resident Stamp Costs
| Type Of Stamp | Description Of Stamp | Cost Of Stamp |
| National Forest Hunting/Trapping/Fishing | Class I StampRequired of any licensed anglers except for holders of Class XXJ License | $2.00 |
| Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp | Class CS/LE StampRequired for all licensed anglers | $13.00 |
| Trout Fishing Stamp | Class OO StampRequired of licensed anglers fishing for trout | $16.00 |
Special Fishing License
| Type Of License | Description Of License | Cost Of License |
| Special Hunting/Fishing License For Persons With A Life-Threatening Condition | Class DT LicenseIssued for anglers aged 20-years or lessRequires no additional license or stampsResident and non-resident license | Free |
For the more information about the cost of fishing licenses and rules and regulations go to license.pdf (wvdnr.gov).
When Don’t You Need A Fishing License?
A fishing license is not required if any of the following applies to you:
- If you are blind (You will need to carry a physician’s statement/certificate while fishing).
- Suppose you are a resident who turned 65 years of age before 01 January 2012. In that case, you won’t need to purchase a fishing license(You will need to carry a West Virginia photo ID card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles).
- If you are a resident on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces while on military leave, then you won’t need a fishing license (You will need to carry your Leave Number while fishing).
- If you are a resident landowner, you may fish on your land (includes resident children, resident parents, and bona fide resident tenants of such land) during open seasons in total accordance with the regulations and laws applying to such fishing.
- Suppose you are a resident who has been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces who are receiving total permanent service-connected disability benefits. If you are a former prisoner of war as determined by the Veterans Administration or resident disabled veterans who qualify under the West Virginia Code 17A-10-8 and you are exempted from payment of any motor vehicle registration fee by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (You must carry a card issued by the DNR).
- Suppose you are a resident in-patient of any state mental hospital, health, or benevolent institution. However, you must be under proper supervision and carry a written statement/certificate signed by the Superintendent of the institution or facility.
- If you are a developmentally disabled resident, you won’t require a fishing license (You will need to carry a DDFL card issued by the DNR- you won’t need to carry a trout stamp when fishing for trout).
When Don’t You Need A Trout Stamp?
Trout stamps are not required if any of the following applies to you:
- If you are a resident who turned 65 years of age before 01 January 2012.
- If you are a resident/non-resident youth under 15 years old, you don’t need a fishing license.
- If you are a resident disabled veteran receiving 100% permanent service-connected disability or a former prisoner of war, you are not required to purchase a fishing license.
Purchasing A Fishing License
When you have decided that West Virginia is going to be the next fishing destination for you and your family, you can buy a fishing license in the following ways:
- At more than 160 retail agent locations found throughout the state.
- Designated county clerk offices.
- West Virginia ELS – Login (wvhunt.com) -Online
- Directly from the Hunting and Fishing License Unit by phoning (304) 558-2758.
Where To Fish In West Virginia?
I thought it would be a good idea to list some of the more popular fishing spots that you may or may not want to visit when you head off to West Virginia, or to refresh a resident’s memory:
- Shenandoah & Potomac Rivers
- Cheat Lake
- North Bend River
- Jennings Randolph Lake
- Bluestone River
- Tygart Lake
- Summersville Lake
- Plum Orchard Lake
- Stonewall Jackson Lake
For more information on these great fishing spots check out this article: 9 Best Fishing Spots in West Virginia
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading through this article, you will be fully informed of the cost of fishing licenses and fishing stamps when fishing in West Virginia. Make sure to match the appropriate stamps with the type of fishing license that you require, always a good idea to fully comply, as nobody wants to be distracted from their fishing trip by legal issues.
If you are planning to go on a fishing trip to West Virginia, enjoy! If you are a West Virginia resident, lucky you, it’s a fishing paradise.
Go fish or go home!
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