Fishing Regulations in Virginia
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Virginia fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Virginia requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 5-day trip licenses. A separate saltwater license is required for fishing in tidal waters. A trout license is required for fishing in designated trout waters.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Regulations vary by water body. Check current Virginia DWR regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 25 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| blue-catfish | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| striped-bass | 2 per day (varies by water body) | 20 inches minimum (varies) | Year-round (seasonal restrictions on some waters) | Chesapeake Bay has special slot limits and seasonal closures. |
| musky | 2 per day | 30 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| walleye | 5 per day | 18 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| rainbow-trout | 6 per day | 7 inches minimum | Year-round (stocked waters) | Special regulations apply on designated trout waters. |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Regulations vary by water body. Check current Virginia DWR regulations.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 2 per day (varies by water body)
Size Limit: 20 inches minimum (varies)
Season: Year-round (seasonal restrictions on some waters)
Notes: Chesapeake Bay has special slot limits and seasonal closures.
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 30 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 18 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 7 inches minimum
Season: Year-round (stocked waters)
Notes: Special regulations apply on designated trout waters.
Top Fishing Waters
Smith Mountain Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, striped-bass, crappie, bluegill
Kerr Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, striped-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, bluegill
James River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, blue-catfish, musky, channel-catfish
Shenandoah River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, redbreast-sunfish, channel-catfish, musky
New River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, musky, channel-catfish
Chesapeake Bay
baySpecies: striped-bass, redfish, speckled-trout, flounder, blue-catfish
Lake Gaston
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, striped-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 16 lbs 4 oz | 1985 | Lake Conner |
| smallmouth-bass | 8 lbs 1 oz | 2007 | New River |
| blue-catfish | 143 lbs | 2011 | Kerr Lake |
| channel-catfish | 35 lbs 10 oz | 1974 | Fluvanna Ruritan Pond |
| striped-bass | 53 lbs 7 oz | 2001 | Leesville Reservoir |
| musky | 45 lbs 8 oz | 1989 | New River |
| walleye | 13 lbs 12 oz | 2014 | New River |
| brown-trout | 14 lbs 15 oz | 2003 | Smith River |
| brook-trout | 5 lbs 10 oz | 1987 | Rapidan River |