Fishing in Virginia

No statewide length limit.Exceptions to statewide limits:Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County: 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32-inches total lengthDan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County: 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32-inches total lengthJames River and its tributaries below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesRappahannock River and its tributaries below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesYork River and its tributaries (including the Pamunkey River and Mattaponi River) below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesLake Gaston: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesSouth Holston Reservoir: 20 catfish per day, only 1 catfish per day longer than 34-inches total lengthAll rivers below the fall line other than the James River and its tributaries, the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, and the York River and its tributaries: No daily limitBow and Arrow (including crossbows) may be used to take common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, and gar (fishing license required) during day and night hours, except from waters stocked with trout. Bowfin and catfish may be taken in tidal waters. Spearguns and poisoned arrows are prohibited.Any common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, goldfish, catfish, longnose gar, or bowfin taken with bow and arrow must be retained and must not be released back into or disposed of into the water. These fishes may not be disposed of on property abutting the body of water of capture.For more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.