Culture

Virginia’s first Fall Free Fishing Days weekend is happening Sept. 25-27

Fall Free Fishing Days weekend aims to expand angling opportunities throughout Virginia.

Free Fishing Days
Fish for free in Virginia during Fall Free Fishing Days in September. (Kristi K. Higgins/Progress-Index.com via Reuters Connect)

Reporting by Kristi K. Higgins, Petersburg Progress-Index

Fishing licenses will not be required Sept. 25–27 for recreational rod and reel fishing in both fresh and saltwater, the first Free Fishing Days weekend in Virginia this fall. Facilities-use permits will also not be required, during that time.

To expand angling opportunities, Department of Wildlife Resources is lifting the restriction on fishing designated stocked trout waters, which will open access to more than 2,900 miles of trout streams along with numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs.

Free Fishing Days
Hopewell Optimist Club 2026 Youth Fishing Tournament at Appomattox Manor in historic City Point in Hopewell, VA. (Kristi K. Higgins/Progress-Index.com via Reuters Connect)

Are other regulations in effect during Free Fishing Days weekend?

Fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions, will remain in effect. DWR fee fishing areas will require a fee for the free fishing days weekend.

The weekend invites residents to enjoy crisp autumn days on the water with friends and family.

For additional information and to see which parks are hosting events during the free fishing weekend, visit dwr.virginia.gov.

Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she/her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index.

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