Do You Need A Fishing License At Smith Mountain Lake? 2025

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

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Do You Need A Fishing License At Smith Mountain Lake?

Get Your License Before you head out on the boat, be sure to acquire a Smith Mountain Lake fishing license. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has made it easy to buy licenses online. You can also purchase them in-person from many license agents.

You need a Virginia fishing license to fish at Smith Mountain Lake; licenses are available online or at bait shops and sporting goods stores in the state. As of 2022, an annual license costs $28 for Virginia residents, $56 for non-residents.

Can you access Smith Mountain lake?

You can access the lake through Smith Mountain Lake State Park, located at the north shore of the lake. The park offers boat launch facilities and a fishing pier, as well as considerable shore access for fishing. Tent and RV campsites are available as well as cabins.

Smith Mountain Lake is a popular destination for anglers in Virginia. It is a large, man-made reservoir located in the western part of the state, spanning three counties: Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and sunfish.

To legally fish in Smith Mountain Lake, you need to have a valid fishing license issued by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The license is required for anyone who is 16 years of age or older, regardless of residency status. The license fees vary depending on factors such as your age, residency status, and the duration of the license. For example, an annual resident fishing license costs $23 for adults aged 16-64, while a nonresident annual fishing license costs $47.

It’s important to note that there may be additional regulations and restrictions on fishing in Smith Mountain Lake beyond the requirement for a fishing license. These may include restrictions on the types of bait and tackle that can be used, bag limits for different species, and seasonal closures or restrictions. Anglers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the local fishing laws before heading out on the lake.

In addition to the fishing license requirement and local regulations, anglers should also practice responsible fishing practices to help maintain the health and sustainability of the lake’s fish populations. This may include practices such as catch-and-release fishing, using barbless hooks to minimize harm to fish, and properly disposing of any trash or fishing equipment to minimize impacts on the lake’s ecosystem.

What to do at Smith Mountain Lake?

How do you get a fishing license in Virginia?

You also can find the regulations in PDF form on the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website. You need a Virginia fishing license to fish at Smith Mountain Lake; licenses are available online or at bait shops and sporting goods stores in the state.

What fish can you catch at Smith Mountain Lake?

Bass dominates the sport fishing at Smith Mountain Lake, with largemouth being the most sought-after species. Largemouth bass outnumbers smallmouth bass by a considerable margin, but a few big smallies are pulled out every year. Fishing for striped bass — also called striper or rockfish — can also be excellent.

Related Questions

Do veterans need a fishing license in VA?

All active military members who are stationed in Florida with current military orders are eligible for this license. … NOTE: Florida residents who can show authorized leave documentation stating that they are not stationed in Florida and home on leave for 30 days or less are exempt from general license requirements.

Do you need a fishing license to fish from the beach in VA?

Resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need a shoreline fishing license unless they have a regular saltwater fishing license, persons with disabilities fishing license, other combo license or are exempt.

How much is a fishing license in Virginia at Walmart?

Here is some general pricing information for a Walmart fishing license: For a resident of the state between the ages of 16 and 65 – $19. For a resident of the state who is 66 or older – $10. A single-day license for a resident or non-resident – $11.

Do you need a fishing license in VA if you are over 65?

Florida residents age 65 or older only need a Florida Driver License or Identification Card to prove residency and age. They are not required to purchase the following recreational licenses and permits: Saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting licenses.

Where can I buy a VA fishing license?

Anglers in Virginia can buy their fishing licenses in person at any of the hundreds of license agents throughout the Commonwealth. Licenses are also available for purchase over the phone by calling 866-721-6911. You can also buy your license online from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website.

How much are Virginia fishing licenses?

Resident State Freshwater Fishing License* (age 16 and older)

1-year license: $23.00
2-year license: $44.00
3-year license: $65.00
4-year license: $86.00
Fresh/Saltwater Fishing* $39.50
Saltwater Fishing License $17.50

Do you need a fishing license in VA if you are disabled?

The Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License is a no-cost license that is not a disability accommodation, but an economic benefit for the segment of Florida’s disabled community that may not be able to afford the license privileges that are offered in this license.

Who is exempt from VA fishing license?

Florida residents certified as totally and permanently disabled who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person’s Hunting and Fishing License. Florida residents who are members of the Armed Forces of the United States, who are not stationed in this state and home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.

Who does not need a fishing license in VA?

Who needs licenses and permits when visiting Florida? Non-residents who are 16 years of age or older are required to have Florida licenses and permits to participate in hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing. Out-of-state fishing and hunting licenses are not valid in Florida.

Do veterans get discounts on fishing license?

Honorably discharged disabled veterans are eligible for a combination fishing license (freshwater, saltwater, and shellfish) and/or hunting license(s) at a discounted rate.

How do I get a fishing license in Virginia?

You can purchase your Virginia fishing license online, by phone, or in-person from a licensed agent. You can purchase your Virginia fishing license for yourself and others and receive them via email. You have different options to choose from, you can buy a short-term, annual, or lifetime license.

At what age do you not need a fishing license in VA?

65 or older

Do disabled veterans get free fishing license in VA?

100% permanently and totally disabled service-connected veterans are entitled to a free five-year hunting and fishing license. Visit the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.

Summary

Yes, you need a fishing license to fish in Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources requires all anglers who are 16 years of age or older to have a valid fishing license. There are different types of fishing licenses available, including annual, 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day licenses.

The fees for these licenses vary depending on your residency status, age, and the duration of the license. You can purchase a fishing license online through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website or at local authorized retailers. It’s important to note that there may be additional regulations and restrictions on fishing in Smith Mountain Lake, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local fishing laws before heading out.

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