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The Thorofare (Back River) fishing reports
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Fishing regulations at The Thorofare (Back River), 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
Blue catfish
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.
VA Trotlines
Trotlines, juglines (noodles), or set poles (limb lines) may be used to take nongame fish and turtles provided they are not baited with live bait (worms are permissible), except on designated stocked trout waters, Department-owned lakes, and within 600 feet of any dam. Live bait other than game fish may be used on trot lines to take catfish in Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski and Wythe counties, and in the Clinch River in Russell, Scott, and Wise counties. Any person setting or possessing the above equipment shall have it clearly marked by permanent means with his or her name, address, and telephone number, and is required to check all lines and remove all fish and animals caught each day. All trotlines, juglines, or set poles must be removed from public waters when not in use.
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 length
- Dan 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 length
- James River and its tributaries below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches
- Rappahannock River and its tributaries below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches
- York 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 inches
- Lake Gaston: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches
- South Holston Reservoir: 20 catfish per day, only 1 catfish per day longer than 34-inches total length
- All 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 limit
Bow 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.
Channel catfish
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.
VA SCUBA
It is illegal to use SCUBA gear to take or attempt to take fish. (SCUBA = Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus)
VA Noxious Substances
It is unlawful to use lime, dynamite, or any other substances to destroy fish, or to cast or allow noxious matter to pass into watercourses that might destroy fish or fish spawn, or to deposit trash in streams or lakes or along their banks.
VA Trotlines
Trotlines, juglines (noodles), or set poles (limb lines) may be used to take nongame fish and turtles provided they are not baited with live bait (worms are permissible), except on designated stocked trout waters, Department-owned lakes, and within 600 feet of any dam. Live bait other than game fish may be used on trot lines to take catfish in Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski and Wythe counties, and in the Clinch River in Russell, Scott, and Wise counties. Any person setting or possessing the above equipment shall have it clearly marked by permanent means with his or her name, address, and telephone number, and is required to check all lines and remove all fish and animals caught each day. All trotlines, juglines, or set poles must be removed from public waters when not in use.
No statewide length limit.
Exceptions to statewide limits:
- South Holston Reservoir: 20 catfish per day, only 1 catfish per day longer than 34-inches total length
- All rivers below the fall line: No daily limit
Bow 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.
Striped bass
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.
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.
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.
NJ No Gaff
It is prohibited for any person to gaff striped bass when fishing recreationally.
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 hybrid
striped bass less than 20 inches or greater than 26 inches
June 1–September 30: 4 per day in the aggregate (combined) No length limit
Claytor Lake and its tributaries
September 16–June 30: 2 per day in the aggregate, no striped bass or hybrid bass
less than 20 inches
July 1–September 15: 4 per day in the aggregate; no length limit
Lake Gaston
4 per day in the aggregate (combined)
October 1–May 31: No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inches
June 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 inches
June 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 Bay
CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT = No possession
GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS = None apply
CREEL 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 waters
GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS = None apply
CREEL 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.
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