Va Dgif - Trout License

[stkbassn]

Just a gripe really but maybe someone can help me understand this rule/law. 

 

So my friend and I are going fishing on Friday to a lake that stocks trout but we are going bass fishing, neither of us fish for trout and never will or at least not somewhere where  a license is required. I have my freshwater fishing license which I've paid my $23 bucks for.  Why can't VA create a temporary/daily trout license for those who are in the situation we are?  It's not fair to require us to pay another $23 to have a license for a fish we won't fish for to begin with and won't have a use for after the ONE day...... It's absurd to me....anyone else?   I'm a bass fisherman, not a trout fisherman. Really VA?!

 

 

[flyfisher]

i would go somewhere else then.  Also make sure it is on the trout designated waters list because i believe they are the only ones that require a trout stamp.  And keep in mind that the trout stamp money also helps to keep the lake open for non trout fishermen as well.

[ClackerBuzz]

flyfisher makes a good point.  in pa i only need the stamp if i'm on 'trout only' sections of rivers.  i don't need it just b/c they stock a lake with trout.  but i do need it if i'm fishing that lake during trout stocking season, even if bass fishing. i'm pretty sure that's correct but it gets confusing.

 

my trout stamp is only about $8 so i buy it regardless. i like to support the programs, stocking, lakes, children's smiles etc.

[BrownBear]

I agree with ya stkbassn, a fishing license should cover it all,  all these rules! lol

[flyfisher]

think of all the trout guys though, they need t get trout and freshwater licenses too for al their fishing and they don't fish for bass.  Where i think it gets weird is when you get into saltwater.  I know around here i need a saltwater license (i think) if i fish below the fall line but not above even if i have zero intentions of fishing for saltwater species.  

[Leonidas]

Good point, flyfisher. You actually changed my mind about the trout stamp here in Virginia.

[A.Do?]

I agree with ya stkbassn, a fishing license should cover it all,  all these rules! lol

 

not sure thats what stkbassn was trying to say. I don't believe he's trying to say it should cover it all, just that there should be a daily pass for trout stamps. 

 

I understand the need for trout stamps since stocking can't be cheap but I agree that there should be more than one option for buying a trout stamp.

[heyitskirby]

On 11/11/2015 at 1:40 PM, flyfisher said:

think of all the trout guys though, they need t get trout and freshwater licenses too for al their fishing and they don't fish for bass.  Where i think it gets weird is when you get into saltwater.  I know around here i need a saltwater license (i think) if i fish below the fall line but not above even if i have zero intentions of fishing for saltwater species.  

The fall line is not the saltwater line.  On the James River its all the way down to a line from Hog Island to Williamsburg.

 

As far as the licensing is concerned, in VA all your license money goes towards upkeep of the facilities you use.  You should be happy to pay for the many resources we have available.

 

And if you think paying for trout is bad, if you just want to go hiking in a Wildlife Management Area, you have to have a fishing/hunting license or pay a use fee.  The horse people in Powhatan were up in arms when this happened, but hey - if you want to use the facility, you should have to help with the maintenance.

[Sam]

The fall line is not the saltwater line.  On the James River its all the way down to a line from Hog Island to Williamsburg. - Correct. And you do not need a saltwater license if you are fishing in the Historic James River, Rappahannock, Pamunkey, Mattaponi and Potomac rivers for largemouth bass in tidal brackish waters. Just don't put any saltwater species in your live well or cooler. If you are caught with a saltwater species and do not have the saltwater license you will be fined. Remember the VG&IF guys sit in their boats and watch you from a distance via their binoculars. I have heard stories of the conservation officers accusing someone of keeping a saltwater species that was actually thrown back. Not a nice encounter to say the least.

 

The reason you need a trout stamp in addition to your Virginia fishing license is that the conservation officers  have a difficult time determining if you are catching trout, either by accident or design.

 

So to stop the practice of giving tickets to those without either the stamp or license and having you appear in court to prosecute your defense it is easier on all to have you carry both the license and stamp.

 

The major problem in Virginia is that the local county, town and city courts love the court costs and fines as it is easy income.

 

Play it safe.

[flyfisher]

I thought to fish for stripers or shad in the james you needed some saltwater something or other lol  I could be wrong though and obviously have been more often than not here lately lol

[Wayne P.]

The fall line on the James is the 14th street bridge in Richmond:  

That is different than the line between freshwater and saltwater license requirements  

 

Do you Va guys know about FIP and are you registered if you fish tidal waters? 

[heyitskirby]

Sam - as I understand it, to fish saltwater species above the saltwater line, including anadromous, all you need is an FIP.  You also need the FIP when fishing a boat that has a saltwater license.  I have never seen this enforced, but luckily its also free, so register anyways.

 

I agree that the counties and courts love their income, but our state DGIF also has a lot of facilities and programs that are paid for with the license fees.  Those facilities and programs are proof that the money goes somewhere and I agree with paying for it.  Conservation Police also have a dangerous job and deserve our support.

[Choporoz]

Thanks, Wayne.  No.  I'd never heard of the FIP.  I've fished the shores and piers of the tidal Potomac and Occoquan for a number of years and it never entered my consciousness.  This year, in a kayak, I suppose it's even more 'important.'

     This line on DGIF seems to make the requirement awfully inclusive:

"Adult anglers who fish for anadromous or marine species in freshwater must also register."   Seems that covers every lake, pond, creek and catch-basin in the state.

[flyfisher]

I think the FIP is what i was thinking about there....this is a good thread with some good info.

[Sam]

Chop, call Virginia DG&IF and ask them about this requirement.

I registered years ago and it is for life.

I was told that VDG&IF registers you if you buy a license.

You may want to double check with them.

[Choporoz]

I already registered.  Says its for a year and they'll email a reminder at 10 or 11 months.  There is conflicting info on their site about exactly who needs to do it.   But, its clear that if you buy a saltwater license, you don't need to.  I only buy freshwater, but I do fish tidal Potomac, so I just went ahead and did it.   It is free, so why not....

[Sam]

I believe it is an automatic renewal.

Have received only one renewal notice during the beginning of its second year and I paid the $10, which my friends at DG&IF told me that I did not have to pay.

Will never pay any invoice if they send it to me and so far have not received any invoices.

If they do send me an invoice I am going to tear it up and mail it back to them.