Top fish species at Kinsale Branch

Striped bass
Striped bass
Whale shark
Whale shark
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Kinsale Branch fishing reports

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Whale shark

200 in · 10000 lb

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Striped bass

13 in · 1 lb

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General info

Kinsale Branch is a stream located in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass and Whale shark.

Location

38°02′0.8″N 76°35′1.6″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Kinsale Branch?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Kinsale Branch. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Kinsale Branch, 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: May 16 - April 30
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit1

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 size28" (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 size31" (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

NJ No Gaff

It is prohibited for any person to gaff striped bass when fishing recreationally.

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 limit Claytor 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 limit Lake 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 limit Smith 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 limit Striped 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 apply Anadromous (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 apply The 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
Species prohibited
Whale shark

Whale shark

Regulation boundaryHighly Migratory Species

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange this species.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

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

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Additional information
Sharks can be difficult to ID. Remember: If you don't know, let it go. For help with shark identification, download the Recreational Atlantic HMS Shark ID Placard (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/species/sharks/documents/shark_id_placard_532017_web.pdf) or the Prohibited Shark ID Placard (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/species/sharks/documents/prohibited_shark_id_placard_5302017_web.pdf)
Synonyms
Rhincodon typus
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Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

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Cities nearby

St. George Island

8.1 miles away

Piney Point

8.7 miles away

Tall Timbers

9.5 miles away

Heathsville

9.7 miles away

Warsaw

10.9 miles away

Montross

13.7 miles away

Callaway

14.1 miles away

Lexington Park

17.1 miles away

Tappahannock

17.3 miles away

Wildewood

18.8 miles away

California

18.8 miles away

Leonardtown

18.9 miles away

Lancaster

19.7 miles away

Cobb Island

21.5 miles away

Rock Point

21.8 miles away

Solomons

22.0 miles away

Drum Point

22.3 miles away

Lusby

24.0 miles away

Broomes Island

26.8 miles away

Fishing Creek

28.6 miles away

Long Beach

29.8 miles away

St. Leonard

30.2 miles away

Calvert Beach

30.8 miles away

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FAQ about Kinsale Branch fishing

📍 Where is the Kinsale Branch located?
the Kinsale Branch is a stream located in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°02′0.8″N 76°35′1.6″W
.
🎣 Where on the Kinsale Branch is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Kinsale Branch 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 the Kinsale Branch?
The most common species in the Kinsale Branch are:
  • Striped bass - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Whale shark - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Kinsale Branch fishing reports?
The latest Kinsale Branch fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Kinsale Branch right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Kinsale Branch, 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 the Kinsale Branch?

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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