Hook and Line and Crab Pot Lotteries (Reg. I, Sec. 1(d)(1))

The PRFC has identified three (3) crab pot licenses and three (3) hook and line licenses for the 2025 fishing season that were not renewed by the limited entry fishery renewal deadline of April 30, 2025. Therefore per Reg. I, Sec. 1(d)(1), these crab pot and hook & line licenses are available via lottery. The licenses will be valid starting with the 2026 season.

1. Non-refundable registration fee of $100.
2. Register between November 3, 2025, and the last business day of January that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
3. Must be 14 years or older.
4. You may only register once per year per fishery, and the registration is for this year’s random drawing only. You may register for both fisheries lotteries, but a separate registration is required for each one.
5. Licenses obtained by lottery are not transferable for five (5) years.
6. The drawings will be held on the first Monday in February 2026. The people chosen in the lottery will be notified by USPS mail and will have until March 31, 2026 to purchase the commercial license and pay all the associated fees for a PRFC commercial license.
7. No late entries will be accepted. The PRFC is not responsible for late entries. Postmarks do not count.

Hook and Line lottery details (Order 2025-15): Maximum PRFC commercial hook and line licenses a person can hold is five (5).

Crab Pot lottery details (Order 2025-13): No natural person currently holding a PRFC commercial crab pot license can get into the lottery.

To register via mail, provide the following information:

1. Full name and mailing address
2. Which fishery (CRAB OR HOOK & LINE) you are registering for
3. $100 non-refundable registration fee

Mail registrations to PO Box 9, Colonial Beach, VA 22443. If you are registering in person, you will be required to provide the same information at the time you register.

Payment methods: Cash, Check, Money Order, or Credit/Debit Card. A credit/debit card may ONLY be used with in-person registrations and will have a 3% fee associated with it.