Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Virginia Fish On! Free Fishing Days Established for June 2-4

RICHMOND, VA – If you’ve always wanted to try fishing, now is your chance! You may fish without a license again this year, during the first weekend in June. Take advantage of the free fishing days, June 2-4 and enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends without having to spend money for a fishing license.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will be hosting the following events during Free Fishing Days weekend. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods & reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. If you’re interested in learning how to fish, you can attend an event with family and friends at one of the following locations:

Saturday, June 3rd

 

Sunday, June 4th

 

No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during free fishing days and facilities use permits will also not be required during these dates. To increase angling opportunities, DWR has removed the restriction to fishing designated stocked trout waters for free fishing weekend. This will open over 2,900 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing prospects. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect.

DWR fee fishing areas still require a fee for Free Fishing Days weekend.

The 2023 Freshwater Fishing and Boating Regulations can be found online: www.dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/. Printed regulations are also available at most major outdoor retailers throughout the state that sell hunting and fishing licenses. In addition, the Marine Resources Commission’s website, mrc.virginia.gov,has extensive information on Virginia’s recreational fishing size, season and creel limits.

DWR also has a fun way to recognize a trophy freshwater catch, called The Online Virginia Angler Recognition Program. Annually, anglers go online atdwr.virginia.gov/fishing/trophy-fish/ to measure up over 6,000 trophy size fish. Since 1963, when the program began, over a quarter-million trophy fish awards have been issued.

Anglers are also encouraged to enter the 2023 Kids ‘n Fishing Photo Contest. For contest rules, visit dwr.virginia.gov/kidsnfishing/.

For more information, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/free-fishing-days/