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Fishing regulations at Slate 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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Flathead catfish as of April 2nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
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.
Pylodictis olivaris
Regulations for
FAQ about Slate River fishing
- Flathead catfish - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- Bluegill - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- Smallmouth bass - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- @Danielpfeifferfishing reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @R0MA reported a nice Bluegill.
- @coopertapscott reported a nice Largemouth bass.
- @riverlife93 reported a nice Flathead catfish.
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