§ 28.2-302.5. Exemptions to saltwater recreational fishing license.

A. The following persons shall be exempt from the requirements of obtaining asaltwater recreational fishing license as set forth in § 28.2-302.1:

1. A person under the age of sixteen or a person who has attained the age ofsixty-five.

2. A person fishing from private real property that he owns or rents, thenonpaying guest of such person, or a member of the immediate family of suchperson.

3. A person fishing from a licensed recreational boat licensed pursuant to §28.2-302.7.

4. A person fishing from a licensed headboat, charterboat or pier licensedpursuant to § 28.2-302 or § 28.2-302.8.

5. A person fishing with gear licensed by the Commission.

6. The holder of a valid recreational fishing license issued by another stateor jurisdiction, upon determination of reciprocity of the license by theCommissioner.

7. Members of the following groups, as determined by the Commissioner:

a. Organized groups of individuals with physical or mental limitations;

b. Organized groups of military veterans residing in veterans' hospitals; and

c. School groups, grades kindergarten through twelve, participating inschool-sponsored trips.

8. A permanently and totally disabled person as defined in § 58.1-3217holding a special lifetime saltwater recreational fishing license issuedpursuant to § 28.2-302.10.

9. A person holding a lifetime saltwater recreational fishing license issuedpursuant to § 28.2-302.10:1.

10. A person fishing from a federally owned park or reserve with boundariesextending into an adjoining state that does not require a saltwater fishinglicense.

B. No saltwater recreational fishing licenses shall be required on days thatare designated as free fishing days. The Commissioner shall designate no morethan three free fishing days in any calendar year. This exemption shall notapply to headboats, charterboats, or rental boats.

(1992, c. 895; 1993, c. 241; 1999, c. 107; 2000, cc. 110, 142; 2002, c. 215.)