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For 2026, a West Virginia resident’s annual fishing license costs $19, or $24 with the required $5 conservation stamp. If fishing for trout, add a $10 trout stamp for a typical total of $34. A nonresident’s annual license is $37; with the required $13 conservation/law-enforcement stamp, it totals $50, or $66 with the $16 trout stamp. The figures below are WVDNR’s published license and stamp amounts; the sources do not establish whether checkout adds a transaction fee.
2026 West Virginia fishing license prices
Your cost depends on residency, how long you plan to fish, and whether you will fish for trout. Prices and typical totals below are for 2026.
| Option | License price | Required or conditional stamps | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing, Class B | $19 | $5 resident conservation stamp; add $10 resident trout stamp when fishing for trout | $24 without trout; $34 with trout |
| Resident five-day fishing, Class L | $8 | $5 resident conservation stamp; add $10 resident trout stamp when fishing for trout | $13 without trout; $23 with trout |
| Resident Sportsman Plus, Class XP | $45 | Includes trout stamp; WVDNR’s general fee table does not list a separate conservation stamp for this class | $45 |
| Nonresident annual fishing, Class F | $37 | $13 conservation/law-enforcement stamp; add $16 nonresident trout stamp when fishing for trout | $50 without trout; $66 with trout |
| Nonresident one-day fishing, Class LL | $3 per day | $13 conservation/law-enforcement stamp; add $16 nonresident trout stamp when fishing for trout | $16 without trout; $32 with trout for one day |
These are published license and stamp amounts, not a confirmed checkout quote. Review the total shown before paying.
Which stamps do you need?
Conservation stamps
The $5 resident conservation stamp is required with listed resident licenses including Class B and Class L. Nonresidents with listed licenses including Class F and Class LL need the $13 conservation/law-enforcement stamp.
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Trout stamps
Licensed residents fishing for trout generally need the $10 Class O trout stamp. WVDNR lists exceptions for holders of Class XS, XP, and XP3 licenses. Licensed nonresidents fishing for trout generally need the $16 Class OO trout stamp. The resident Class XP Sportsman Plus license already includes a trout stamp.
Choosing an annual or short-term license
Residents
If you expect to fish throughout the year, the Class B annual license is $19 before its required conservation stamp. For a shorter visit, the Class L five-day license costs $8 before the stamp. WVDNR’s short-term license explainer says stamps are annual, so the stamp cost can make a short-term trip substantially more expensive than the base license price suggests.
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Nonresidents
The Class LL license is $3 per day and can be purchased for multiple days; WVDNR says there is no limit on the number of days. Its $13 conservation/law-enforcement stamp is an annual cost, as is the trout stamp when needed. Compare the resulting total with the $37 annual Class F license if you plan multiple trips.
Combined resident option
The $45 resident Class XP Sportsman Plus license includes the trout stamp. WVDNR’s general fee table does not list a separate conservation stamp for XP; check the current license details and checkout total for your circumstances.
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Other age-based and special license options
- Resident junior sportsman: The 2026 schedule lists a $16 license for residents ages 15–17.
- Nonresident junior sportsman: The 2026 schedule lists a $16 license for nonresidents ages 8–17. It is not required for fishing under age 15. Check the current regulations for the detailed age and eligibility rules.
- Resident senior, Class XS: The 2026 schedule lists $25 for qualifying residents age 65 or older. The regulations contain historical age-threshold and stamp-inclusion details, so confirm current eligibility and included stamps with WVDNR before buying.
- Life-threatening condition: The schedule lists a free special license for a person age 20 or younger with a life-threatening condition; it requires no additional licenses or stamps.
When the license is valid and where to buy it
Fishing licenses are valid for the calendar year. WVDNR’s 2026 regulations say licensed anglers must carry valid identification while fishing. The agency says licenses and stamps are available from authorized license agents statewide or online at WVhunt.com. WVDNR stated that 2025 licenses expired December 31, 2025, so a current 2026 license is needed for 2026 fishing whenever a license is otherwise required.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Free fishing days in 2026
WVDNR designated June 13–14, 2026, as Free Fishing Days, when residents and nonresidents could fish public waters without a license. Those dates have passed. For future dates or any exception, check the current WVDNR information rather than relying on an old announcement.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
