As an avid angler, you may be wondering if you can use your Virginia fishing license to fish in Maryland waters, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding areas. The good news is that there is a reciprocal agreement between Virginia and Maryland that allows anglers with valid saltwater fishing licenses from either state to fish in certain shared waters. However, it’s important to understand the specifics of this agreement to ensure you are fishing legally and following the appropriate regulations.
Reciprocal Fishing Agreement Between Virginia and Maryland
The reciprocal fishing agreement between Virginia and Maryland allows anglers with valid saltwater fishing licenses from either state to fish in the following areas without needing an additional license:
- Any portion of the Chesapeake Bay
- Any of the saltwater reaches of the Chesapeake Bay’s tributary rivers
- Seaside bays and creeks
- The Atlantic Ocean where a Virginia saltwater license is required
This agreement applies to various types of licenses, including individual annual licenses, individual temporary licenses, private boat licenses covering all persons fishing on the boat, annual licenses for charter boats, headboats, and partyboats, and annual licenses for rental boats.
Fishing in the Potomac River
The reciprocal agreement also extends to the Potomac River. Anglers with saltwater licenses from either Virginia or the Potomac River Fisheries Commission may fish in any portion of the mainstem of the Potomac River to the lower border of Washington, D.C.
Registering in the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP)
It’s important to note that anglers fishing in Virginia waters under the reciprocity agreement must register in the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) beginning January 1, 2011, unless they hold a Virginia saltwater fishing license.
Lifetime Saltwater Fishing License for Virginia Residents 65 and Older
Effective July 1, 2013, Virginia offers an optional $5 lifetime saltwater fishing license for residents aged 65 or older. If a person has purchased this optional license, they do not need to register in the Virginia FIP. This optional license can be used by the holder to fish in Maryland waters under the reciprocity agreement, but the licensee must abide by Maryland rules and likely will need to register in the Maryland Angler Registry Program.
Exceptions to Saltwater Fishing License Requirements in Virginia
In Virginia, there are several exceptions to the saltwater fishing license requirements, including:
- Persons under the age of 16 or over the age of 65
- Persons fishing on designated free fishing days
- Persons fishing from private real property they own or rent, their nonpaying guests, or immediate family members
- Persons fishing from a licensed recreational boat, headboat, charterboat, or pier
- Persons fishing with gear licensed by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission
- Holders of valid recreational fishing licenses issued by other states or jurisdictions, upon determination of reciprocity by the Commissioner
- Members of organized groups of individuals with physical or mental limitations, military veterans residing in veterans’ hospitals, and school groups participating in school-sponsored trips
- Permanently and totally disabled persons holding a special lifetime saltwater recreational fishing license
It’s important to note that while these exceptions apply to saltwater fishing, anglers may still need a freshwater fishing license or permit to fish in certain waters.
Fishing License Requirements in Maryland
In Maryland, anglers who are not required to hold a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing license and want to fish the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac River must obtain a free Maryland Saltwater Angler Registration. This registration is not required for guests on a boat with a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Boat Decal, Virginia or Potomac River Fisheries Commission Saltwater Boat license, waterfront property owners and their family members, anglers with a Virginia saltwater license, anglers fishing in a free fishing area, or anglers fishing on a Maryland Free Fishing Day.
Maryland also offers a Resident Senior Consolidated License for residents 65 years of age or older, which allows fishing in the fresh waters of Maryland, including trout, and in Maryland’s tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, Atlantic coast, and coastal bays for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Fishing License Fees in Maryland and Virginia
Both Maryland and Virginia offer various fishing licenses and fees for residents and non-residents. In Maryland, the Resident Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License costs $15, while the Non-Resident license costs $22.50. The Resident 7-Day Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License costs $6, and the Non-Resident version costs $12.
In Virginia, the Resident Saltwater Fishing License costs $21, and the Non-Resident license costs $25. The Resident 5-Day Fresh/Saltwater Fishing License (5 consecutive days) costs $14, and the Non-Resident version costs $31.
It’s important to check the specific license requirements and fees for the state you plan to fish in and ensure you have the appropriate licenses and registrations before heading out on the water.