Don’t Die FishingHOW IT WORKSREGULATIONSLIVE CONDITIONSSIGN INGET STARTED

STATE

Alabama10Alaska7California12Connecticut8Florida12Georgia12Hawaii8Louisiana12Maine10Maryland11Massachusetts18Mississippi10New Hampshire9New Jersey9New York10North Carolina10Oregon10Puerto Rico10Rhode Island9South Carolina12Texas12Virginia12Washington8

Saltwater recreational limits, refreshed each season from the state agency.

Virginia fishing regulations

Curated references from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected Virginia saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.

OPEN NOWALL SPECIESAUG 2026
SOURCEVMRC recreational saltwater fishing rules ↗UPDATED APRIL 1, 2026 · CHECKED AUG 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCChecked Aug 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCRules vary by location, method, vessel, and emergency closure.The VMRC page is an informational summary; the applicable state regulations are authoritative.
SPECIESLISTED SEASON WINDOWSJFMAMJJASONDBAGMIN SIZELISTING
Black DrumNo closed season is listed on the VMRC recreational page.Listed open1 per person16"OPEN
CobiaOpen season June 15-September 20; the VMRC page also states gaffing is prohibited. · Listed season windows: Jun 15, 2026 through Sep 20, 2026 · 1 fish listedListed open1 per person, 2 per vessel; whichever is more restrictive43"OPEN
CroakerNo minimum size or closed season is listed on the VMRC recreational page.Listed open50 per person; additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire or charter vessels—OPEN
King MackerelNo closed season is listed on the VMRC recreational page.Listed open3 per person27"OPEN
Red DrumVirginia marine waters; the VMRC page lists a minimum of 18 inches and maximum of 26 inches and no closed season.Listed open3 per person18"OPEN
SheepsheadNo minimum size is listed on the VMRC recreational page; no closed season is listed.Listed open4 per person—OPEN
Spanish MackerelNo closed season is listed on the VMRC recreational page.Listed open15 per person14"OPEN
Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout)Closed April 1-June 30, 2026. The page states only one fish in the five-fish possession limit may be greater than 24 inches; 24 inches is not a maximum size limit. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2026 · 5 fish listed · Jul 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 5 fish listedListed open5 per person; only 1 greater than 24 inches14"OPEN
SpotNo minimum size or closed season is listed on the VMRC recreational page.Listed open50 per person; additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire or charter vessels—OPEN
Striped Bass (Virginia Coastal/Ocean Waters)Coastal seasons are January 1-March 31 and May 16-December 31; April 1-May 15 is closed. Coastal rules apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea and specified seaside waters. Chesapeake Bay seasons differ, and Atlantic Ocean federal waters beyond 3 miles are closed year-round. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2026 · 1 fish listed · May 16, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 1 fish listedListed open1 per person28"OPEN
Summer FlounderOpen year-round. Minimum size is 16 inches January 1-May 31 and 17.5 inches June 1-December 31; the page notes Virginia Potomac tributaries follow PRFC rules. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through May 31, 2026 · 4 fish listed · Jun 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 4 fish listedListed open4 per person16"OPEN
TautogClosed May 16-June 30. The page lists the same possession limit for the open periods. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through May 15, 2026 · 4 fish listed · Jul 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 4 fish listedListed open4 per person16"OPEN

Reference only, not permission to fish or retain a catch. Verify the current official regulations before you go.