Virginia DWR Opens 2026–2027 Regulations Public Comment Period

Virginia hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, and public-land users have until Aug. 5 to comment on proposed license increases, camping fees, trout management changes, and other DWR regulations.

By: Justin Campbell | Equalized Outdoors Newroom

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) opened its 2026 regulatory public comment period on July 7, giving hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, and other stakeholders until August 5, 2026, to weigh in on proposed rule changes and fee increases.

Among the topics open for comment are freshwater fishing, license and permit fee increases, game and nongame species, watercraft regulations, and more.

DWR has not implemented broad hunting, fishing, and trapping license fee changes in more than a decade but is now proposing increases while citing rising costs and greater demands on the agency.

It is important to note that salary increases are not the sole reason given for the proposals. In addition to personnel costs, DWR specifically cited inflation, the declining purchasing power of the dollar, and the rising costs of equipment, construction, materials, and facility maintenance.

Image Courtesty of Virginia DWR

According to DWR, personnel costs have risen by nearly 25% over the past six years, while the agency has received no additional state funding specifically designated to support those salary increases. The agency also estimates that it currently faces more than $275 million in infrastructure liabilities involving hatcheries, dams, boating access sites, Wildlife Management Area infrastructure, and other facilities.

Under the authority outlined in the Code of Virginia, the Board of Wildlife Resources may revise fees for hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Those fees may not be raised or lowered more than once every three years or by more than $5 at one time for an individual resident license and $50 for an individual nonresident license.

The new proposal seeks to increase many individual license fees to the maximum extent permitted under current law.

For example, a one-year resident freshwater fishing license currently costs $22. Under the proposed fee schedule, that license would increase to $27, a roughly 23% increase.

Combination packages can increase by more than $5 because they include multiple licenses and privileges. The resident Sportsman’s License, for example, would increase from $100 to $130, a 30% increase.

Nonresident increases vary depending on the license. A one-year nonresident freshwater fishing license currently costs $46 but would increase to $71 if the proposal is approved.

The full list of proposed fee changes is available through DWR here.

DWR estimates that the proposed hunting, fishing, and trapping license increases would generate approximately $6.39 million in additional annual revenue. The agency says that revenue would help offset rising costs across its programs while supporting enforcement, public access, infrastructure maintenance, wildlife management, fisheries management, and other services provided to hunters, anglers, and recreationists.

Those who currently take advantage of free camping on Virginia’s Wildlife Management Areas could also be affected by the proposal.

The Board is proposing a $10 permit fee for camping on DWR-owned lands where a free permit is currently required. Based on agency estimates, DWR believes the fee would generate approximately $25,000 in additional annual revenue if adopted.

As of publication, it remains unclear whether the proposed fee would affect all campers or only certain users, including those who currently purchase the lower-cost recreation access permit. Equalized Outdoors is seeking additional clarification and will update this story as more information becomes available.

The Virginia Stocked Trout Management Plan is also open for public comment during the same period. The complete draft is available here.

Highlights include discussions about the effect of a declining aquatic resources budget, potential reductions in trout stocking, and proposed changes to how stocking information would be released.

Author Fishing on VA WMA Public Land

Under the draft plan, DWR is considering announcing all planned trout stockings in advance. The proposal also outlines the potential implementation of 25%, 35%, and 50% reductions in trout stocking if future funding levels require them.

Virginia DWR Public Comment Period Procedures

Interested parties may submit comments directly through the DWR links provided in this article. Comments may be submitted by both Virginia residents and nonresidents, and the public comment window closes at 5 p.m. on August 5, 2026.

Members of the public may also provide comments during the Wildlife and Boat Committee meeting on August 19, 2026, or the full Board meeting on August 20, 2026. Public comments may be made during any Board or Board committee meeting in accordance with the Board’s established procedures.

The complete schedule of upcoming meetings is available here.

After the public comment period and scheduled meetings, the Board of Wildlife Resources will deliberate and vote on the proposals.

Equalized Outdoors will continue to follow this story and provide updates as necessary.