1. United States/
  2. Virginia
Map

Fishing in Virginia

Find fishing spots near you with Fishbrain's interactive crowd-sourced map

App Section

Want trophy-size catches? These Virginia spots deliver

About Virginia fishing

Virginia combines mountain trout streams, bass lakes, and Chesapeake Bay fishing. Striped bass, catfish, and panfish thrive, making the state a versatile destination for freshwater and inshore anglers.

Virginia fishing license

Fishing in Virginia requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, available online or from licensed agents.

In Virginia, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license

Top fish species caught in Virginia

Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app

Biggest catches in Virginia

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in Virginia

SpeciesWeightBlue catfish143 lbsStriped bass53.4 lbsChannel catfish31.5 lbsLargemouth bass16.2 lbsSmallmouth bass8.1 lbsBluegill4.5 lbs

Latest Virginia fishing reports

fish catches icon
Channel catfish caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Channel catfish

Tams Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
Channel catfish caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Channel catfish

Tams Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
Channel catfish caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Channel catfish

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
Largemouth bass caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Lake Biggins

11 in · 1 lb

fish catches icon
Fish caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Chickahominy River

length · weight

fish catches icon
Smallmouth bass caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Smallmouth bass

Reusens Reservoir

length · weight

fish catches icon
Black crappie caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Black crappie

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
Bluegill caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Bluegill

Tams Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
Atlantic croaker caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Atlantic croaker

Linkhorn Bay

length · weight

fish catches icon
Smallmouth bass caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Smallmouth bass

Reusens Reservoir

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Fishing regulations in Virginia

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Virginia can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Striped bass as of August 26th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Striped bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

1

Min size

28"

Max size

31"

Measurement

Total Length
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
Regulations provided here are for the Virginia Coastal Season.Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Leesville Dam and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Union Street Dam (Danville)October 1–May 31: 2 per day in the aggregate (combined) No striped bass or hybridstriped bass less than 20 inches or greater than 26 inchesJune 1–September 30: 4 per day in the aggregate (combined) No length limitClaytor Lake and its tributariesSeptember 16–June 30: 2 per day in the aggregate, no striped bass or hybrid bassless than 20 inchesJuly 1–September 15: 4 per day in the aggregate; no length limitLake Gaston4 per day in the aggregate (combined)October 1–May 31: No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inchesJune 1–September 30: No length limitSmith Mountain Lake and its tributaries, including the Roanoke River upstream to Niagara Dam 2 per day in the aggregate (combined)November 1–May 31: No striped bass 30 to 40 inchesJune 1–October 31: No length limitStriped bass in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back BayCREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT = No possessionGEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS = None applyCREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS = None applyAnadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and Crane Lake (City of Suffolk)CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT = Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal watersGEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS = None applyCREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS = None applyThe Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) maintains a database of wildlife locations, including threatened and endangered species, trout streams, and anadromous fish waters that may contain information not documented in this letter. Their database may be accessed https://services.dwr.virginia.gov/fwis/ or contact Amy Martin at 804-367-2211 or amy.martin@dwr.virginia.gov.
Synonyms

Morone saxatilis

Regulations for

37°32′24″N 77°27′36″W
Regulations in the map

From the Fishbrain blog

Learn where to fish, when to fish, and top tips from our anglers to help you land that personal best

Safe fish handling this Summer

Summer is here and we asked our fisheries biologist Ryan Hearn how you can handle fish safely during the summer heat.

Safe fish handling this Summer
Fall Fishing for Bull Reds

Every fall, anglers in the gulf and Atlantic become obsessed with pumpkins. Not because of the looming Halloween holiday, however, but the presence of bull redfish. Learn more about why these giant fish are one of the most sought after species in saltwater this time of year.

Fall Fishing for Bull Reds
Fishbrain's guide to sunfish

Our fisheries biologist, Ryan Hearn, goes through how to use key characteristics to properly ID different species of sunfish.

Fishbrain's guide to sunfish
See related posts
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ about Virginia fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in Virginia, United States?
Fishing regulations in Virginia, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in Virginia, United States?
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Virginia, United States include Striped bass, Bluegill, and Smallmouth bass. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in Virginia, United States?
Some of the most popular fishing spots in Virginia, United States include James River, Smith Mountain Lake, and Chesapeake Bay (South). Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.