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Citizens may fish without a license during the first weekend in June.

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.

However, fee fishing areas (Crooked Creek, Douthat, and Clinch Mountain) will still require a permit.

To increase angling opportunities, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has removed the restriction to fishing designated stocked trout waters.

This will open more than 2,900 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing prospects.

All fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions, will remain in effect.

“Free fishing days are always an excellent opportunity to get out and try fishing for the first time, or to introduce new people to fishing,” Ryan Brown, executive director of DGIF, said.