Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HB1365: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 28.2-302.5 and 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days.
Status: Chaptered, April 13, 2026
Fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. Increases from three to six days the maximum number of free fishing days, during which a person is allowed to fish without a fishing license, that the Board of Wildlife Resources may designate for inland waters in the Commonwealth and the Commissioner of Marine Resources may designate for saltwater recreational fishing in the Commonwealth.
What the bill says
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 28.2-302.5 and 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. [H 1365] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That §§ 28.2-302.5 and 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows: § 28.2-302.5. Exemptions to saltwater recreational fishing license. A. The following persons shall be exempt from the requirements of obtaining a saltwater recreational fishing license as set forth in § 28.2-302.1: 1. A person under the age of 16 or a person who has attained the age of 65. 2. A person fishing from p.
From the enrolled text, April 13, 2026:
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 28.2-302.5 and 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to fishing license requirements; exemptions; free fishing days. [H 1365] Approved April 13, 2026 1. That §§ 28.2-302.5 and 29.1-301 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows: § 28.2-302.5. Exemptions to saltwater recreational fishing license. A. The following persons shall be exempt from the requirements of obtaining a saltwater recreational fishing license as set forth in § 28.2-302.1: 1. A person under the age of 16 or a person who has attained the age of 65. 2. A person fishing from private real property that he owns or rents, the nonpaying guest of such person, or a member of the immediate family of such person. 3. A person fishing from a licensed recreational boat licensed pursuant to § 28.2-302.7. 4. A person fishing from a licensed headboat, charterboat, or pier licensed pursuant to § 28.2-302 or 28.2-302.8. 5. A person fishing with gear licensed by the Commission. 6. The holder of a valid recreational fishing license issued by another state or jurisdiction, upon determination of reciprocity of the license by the Commissioner. 7. Members of the following groups, as determined by the b. Organized groups of military veterans residing in veterans' hospitals; and c. School groups, grades kindergarten through 12, …