Fishing Regulations

[Regulation 4 VAC 20-1110-10 et seq.]

Possession Limit………………………..…4 per person

[Regulation 4 VAC 20-280-10 et seq.]

Minimum Size Limit……………………14 inches
Possession Limit………………………..10 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.  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.

[Regulation 4 VAC 20-1120-10 et seq.]

Possession Limit………………………..…7 per person