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Fishing in Virginia

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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

Virginia fishing licenses are required for anglers 16+. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, available online or from licensed agents.

Get license

Top fish species caught in Virginia

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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

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Blue catfish

Accotink Creek

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Blue catfish

Accotink Creek

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Striped bass

Little Hunting Creek

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Largemouth bass

Occoquan River

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Rainbow trout

Burke Lake

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Largemouth bass

Somerset Crossing Lake

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Rainbow trout

South River

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Brown trout

South River

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Largemouth bass

Occoquan Reservoir

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Spotted seatrout

Chuckatuck Creek

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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.

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From the Fishbrain blog

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

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FAQ about Virginia fishing

Fishing regulations in Virginia, United States vary by location and species, covering size limits, bag limits, and open seasons. To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the for the latest rules on every fish and body of water.
Anglers in Virginia, United States most often target Bluegill, Largemouth bass, and Striped bass. For more detailed insights, the shows exactly which species are biting in each lake, river, and coastline.
Popular waters in Virginia, United States include James River, Smith Mountain Lake, and Four Mile Run. With the , you can zoom in on any area to discover the best spots and see what other anglers are catching there.