Top fish species at Virginia Inside Passage

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Check which species have trophy potential in Virginia Inside Passage

Virginia Inside Passage fishing reports

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Summer flounder

length · weight

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Summer flounder

length · weight

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Summer flounder

length · weight

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Black sea bass

length · weight

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Spotted seatrout

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length · weight

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General info

Virginia Inside Passage is a water located in Northampton County, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Summer flounder, Red drum, and Black sea bass.

Location

37°07′36.7″N 75°57′2.2″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Virginia Inside Passage, VA

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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Summer flounder

Summer flounder

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size17.5" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Additional information
Jan. 1 - May 31: minimum size = 16-inchesJune 1 - Dec. 31: minimum size = 17.5-inchesOpen year-round.The above flounder restrictions apply to Virginia tidal waters, except that in Virginia's Potomac River tributaries the minimum size limit, closed season, and possession limit will be the same as established by the PRFC for the mainstem Potomac River.Federal regulations are waived for Summer Flounder, and recreational anglers shall follow regulations for the state in which their catch is landed.Citation 6 lbs or 26 inches.
Synonyms
Fluke, Paralichthys dentatus
Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size26" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Additional information
Note: In Back Bay and tributaries, including Brinson's Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh), and the North Landing River and its tributaries: 1 red drum per day between 18 to 27-inches total length Release Citation 46 inches
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
Season open: May 11 - December 31
Black sea bass

Black sea bass

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit15

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size13" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
The 2026 recreational black sea bass measures in Virginia waters or federal waters whenlandings in Virginia are established as:o Season: May 11 through December 31o Minimum size limit: 13"o Bag limit: 15 fish per person Regulations for black sea bass caught in federal waters are subject to change. Please contact NMFS.For more information, see Virginia Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations.Black sea bass total length shall be measured along the lateral midline from tip of nose to tip of tail excluding the caudal fin filament.Citation 5 lbs
Edibility
Excellent according to Adam L.
Synonyms
Centropristis striata
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Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

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Cities nearby

Cape Charles

9.6 miles away

Eastville

15.5 miles away

Poquoson

22.4 miles away

Hampton

23.3 miles away

Norfolk

23.4 miles away

Franktown

24.6 miles away

Virginia Beach

27.7 miles away

Willis Wharf

28.1 miles away

Portsmouth

29.5 miles away

Mathews

29.7 miles away

Newport News

31.3 miles away

Quinby

31.7 miles away

Yorktown

31.9 miles away

Boston

33.5 miles away

Carrollton

34.2 miles away

Deltaville

36.1 miles away

Gloucester Courthouse

37.0 miles away

Benns Church

37.3 miles away

Savageville

39.8 miles away

Rushmere

40.2 miles away

Tasley

42.8 miles away

Williamsburg

42.8 miles away

White Stone

43.1 miles away

Kilmarnock

46.9 miles away

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FAQ about Virginia Inside Passage fishing

📍 Where is Virginia Inside Passage located?
Virginia Inside Passage is a water located in Northampton County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°07′36.7″N 75°57′2.2″W
.
🎣 Where on Virginia Inside Passage is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Virginia Inside Passage by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Virginia Inside Passage?
The most common species in Virginia Inside Passage are:
📢 What are the latest Virginia Inside Passage fishing reports?
The latest Virginia Inside Passage fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Virginia Inside Passage right now?
According to fishing regulations at Virginia Inside Passage, some of the species in season this November include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Blacktip shark, Black sea bass, and Bonnethead shark. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Virginia Inside Passage?

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.

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