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

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/

Support AFP




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

brian white virginia tech
Etc.

Virginia Tech names Florida Atlantic AD Brian White as the new director of athletics

trash middle river augusta county
Local

Augusta County: Illegal dumping becomes somebody else’s problem

Somebody too lazy to take their trash to one of the many dump sites in Augusta County created one of their own on Bald Rock Road near Verona. A volunteer with Friends of the Middle River happened upon the scene on Monday, in the vicinity of the location where somebody dumped 100 used tires last...

missing person
Local

Missing person alert: Augusta County man last seen on June 11

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance with locating Paul Lavelle Hassett Jr., 72, who was last seen around June 11 at his Staunton residence, and was reported missing today by a family member.

joe tiroly uva baseball
Baseball

UVA Baseball: Four ‘Hoos get invites to the 2026 MLB Draft Combine

augusta county sheriff's office
Local

Augusta County: Teen fled cops, twice, last week, and they still can’t find him

jay huff uva basketball
Basketball

Jay Huff, Jacob Gilyard named to the USA Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team

data center technology networking
Politics, Virginia

Poll: Virginia residents make it clear where they stand on data centers