Virginia Game Fish It is the angler's responsibility to know and abide by all current regulations and laws.  Individuals must obtain a saltwater recreational fishing license which entitles them to use rod and reel (hook & line), spear or gig,  hand line, cast net, dip net or two eel pots; other rules may apply to these specific gears.  Click here for fishing regulations. Also, Regulation Cards are available at most tackle/bait shops.

	AMBERJACK  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-510-10 et seq.]
	AMERICAN EEL   [Regulation 4 VAC 20-500-10 et seq.]
	BLACK DRUM (DRUM, DRUMFISH)  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-320-10 et seq.]
	BLACK SEA BASS (SEA BASS)  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq.]
	BLUE CATFISH
	BLUEFISH  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-450-10 et seq.]
	COBIA   [Regulation 4 VAC 20-510-10 et seq.]
	GREY TROUT (WEAKFISH)  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-380-10 et seq.]
	GROUPERS [Regulation 4 VAC 20-1120-10 et seq.]
	KING MACKEREL   [Regulation 4 VAC 20-540-10 et seq]
	RED DRUM (CHANNEL BASS, REDFISH)  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-280-10 et seq.]
	SCUP (PORGY)  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-910-10 et seq.]
	AMERICAN SHAD    [Regulation 4 VAC 20-530-10 et seq.] Illegal to possess American shad caught from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries
	SHARKS (All species except smooth and spiny dogfish)   [Regulation 4 VAC 20-490-10 et seq.]
	SHEEPSHEAD [Regulation 4 VAC 20-1110-10 et seq.]
	SPADEFISH [Regulation 4 VAC 20-970-10 et seq.]
	SPANISH MACKEREL   [Regulation 4 VAC 20-540-10 et seq.]
	SPECKLED TROUT (SPOTTED SEATROUT) [Regulation 4 VAC 20-280-10 et seq.]
	STRIPED BASS (ROCKFISH, STRIPED)  [Regulation 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq.]

Virginia Coastal Seasons

January 1 through March 31  & May 16 through December 31
Minimum Size Limit............................................... 28 inches
Possession Limit.................................................... 2 per person

Note that there is a coastal trophy season from May 1 to May 15; the regulations summarized below for Virginia Trophy Seasons apply to the coastal trophy season. Coastal regulations apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northhampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland) and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the Territorial Sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).  Click here for map of coastal boundary near the CBBT.

Virginia Trophy Seasons

Coastal Area (May 1-15); Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (May 1 through June 15)

Minimum Size Limit................................................32 inches
Possession Limit.....................................................1 per person

Additional Trophy Season Regulations

Catch Report Required;  no possession of 32" or greater striped bass in the Spawning Reaches  May 1 through June 15.  Trophy Season regulations apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea and the Chesapeake Bay and its Virginia tributary rivers, except for the tributary rivers emptying into the Potomac River (see note below for more information on Potomac River striper regulations).

Chesapeake Bay Spring Season

May 16 through June 15
Minimum Size Limit.............................................. 18 inches
Maximum Size Limit * .......................................... 28 inches
Possession Limit ...................................................2 per person

* 1 fish of the 2 fish possession limit may be larger than 32 inches ( catch report required  if striped bass 32" or greater is kept ); No possession of 32" or greater striped bass in the Spawning Reaches May 1 through June 15.

Chesapeake Bay Fall Season

October 4 through December 31
Minimum Size Limit..............................................................18 inches
Maximum Size Limit * ......................................................... 28 inches
Possession Limit - October 4 through December 31...................2 per person

* 1 fish of the 2 fish possession limit may be 34 inches or larger; no fish may be kept between 28 and 34 inches.

Chesapeake Bay regulations for both the Spring and Fall seasons described above apply in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's Chesapeake Bay tributary rivers, except for the tributary rivers emptying into the Potomac River (see note below for more information on Potomac River striper regulations).

Other Virginia restrictions

• You may not combine possession limits when seasons overlap or you fish in multiple jurisdictions.  Gaffing striped bass or attempting to gaff striped bass is illegal in Virginia marine waters.
• Federal water striped bass regulations:  Atlantic Ocean waters beyond the 3 mile limit are closed to the taking and possession of striped bass all year.
• Potomac River striped bass regulations:  Different regulations apply in the Potomac River and its tributaries, including its Virginia tributaries.  These areas are subject to the rules and regulations of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, P.O. Box 9, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, (804) 224-7148; (800) 266-3904; http://www.prfc.state.va.us.  For further information on PRFC rules contact PRFC directly.

	STURGEON  [Code Section 28.2-303] ..............illegal to possess
	SUMMER FLOUNDER [Regulation 4 VAC 20-620-10 et seq.]
	TAUTOG   [Regulation 4 VAC 20-960-10 et seq.]
	TILEFISH [Regulation 4 VAC 20-1120-10 et seq.]

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS

Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Requirements......Individual license required in Chesapeake Bay, and its tributaries, and Virginia ocean waters unless fishing on licensed pier, licensed charter boat or licensed private boat; or specifically exempted.  Click on link to see specific information on licensing requirements, license fees, or license agents.  

Cast Net.................................License required to use cast net, except to catch small quantities of mullet, menhaden, or minnows.

Measurements.......................Size limits are total length measurements; fish must be measured tip of nose to tip of tail, except black sea bass, which are measured from tip of nose along the centerline of the body, to the center of the tail.

Altering fish while on board boat.......alteration of fish such that the fish can not be identified or properly measured may not be legal. Consult Regulation 4 VAC 20-580 for more information.

Snagging................................Illegal to snag, or attempt to snag, any fish.

No Sale....................................Sale or barter of recreationally caught fish is prohibited.

« ALL REGULATIONS are Subject to Change; Regulations affecting Virginia fishermen are established by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and federal management agencies; these regulations are subject to review and change throughout the calendar year. For more information on the most current regulations, contact: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607 (757) 247-2200.   This web page will be updated with the most recent rule changes within a week of rule adoption.