Home Fish for free (mostly) in Virginia June 2-4; streams and ponds open
Local, Region/State

Fish for free (mostly) in Virginia June 2-4; streams and ponds open

Crystal Graham
child fishing at lake
(© Alik Mulikov – stock.adobe.com)

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is encouraging you and your family to try fishing with free fishing days June 2-4. During these three days, no license is required to fish anywhere in the state.

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.

In addition to the free fishing days, DWR is also hosting free events (exceptions noted below) throughout the state. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods and reels, terminal tackle and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. No registration is required.

Saturday, June 3

  • Burke Lake (Fairfax County): 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Dorey Park (Henrico County): 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Mt. Trashmore (Virginia Beach): 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Hungry Mother State Park (Marion): 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ($7 entrance fee)

Sunday, June 4

  • Festival del Rio Rappahannock at Old Mill Park (Fredericksburg): 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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 more than 2,900 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs.

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

Multimedia

 




Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]

Latest News

Darian Bengston
Pro Wrestling

Darian Bengston: Actor, student, one of pro wrestling’s premier technicians

swimming
UVA Olympic Sports

UVA Swimming: Todd DeSorbo wins national coach of the year honor

UVA Swimming coach Todd DeSorbo was named the American Swimming Coaches Association Coach of the Year for 2026, his second straight honor from ACSA.

uva football tony elliott
UVA Football

UVA Football: Why do you play games you know will end up 59-3?

I’m trying to find the value in 59-3 blowouts of FCS teams that won one game last season, to justify leaving the house last night to half-watch a UVA Football game that not even the TV people wanted any part of.

jamey chadwell liberty
Football

Liberty escapes massive upset, sneaks past winless Gardner-Webb, 24-23

michael vick
Football

Hatemailbag: Michael Vick fans write to show support for their dogkiller hero

virtual learning
Local

Waynesboro Schools explore virtual learning for Westwood Hills students: Conflict?

tom perriello john mcguire
Trump's America

Perriello highlights pledge to fight for rural healthcare in underserved Fifth District