Map

The Desert

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

3.8·10 catches

Top fish species at The Desert

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Check which species have trophy potential in The Desert

The Desert fishing reports

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length · weight

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Cobia

38 in · 20 lb

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Spotted seatrout

length · weight

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Bluefish

24 in · 5 lb

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Sheepshead

12 in · 2 lb 1 oz

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15 in · 6 lb 2 oz

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General info

The Desert is a swamp located in City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead, and Bluefish.

Location

36°54′24.2″N 76°00′20″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at The Desert, 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: July 1 - March 31
Spotted seatrout

Spotted seatrout

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit5

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 size14" (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 size24" (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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 24

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Additional information
Anglers may harvest only 1 greater than 24 inchesNote: in Back Bay and tributaries, including Brinson's Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh), and the North Landing River and its tributaries: anglers may harvest 4 spotted sea trout per day, with no fish less than 14-inches total length Citation 5 lbs or 24 inches
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Cynoscion nebulosus, Speckled Trout
Season open: year-round
Sheepshead

Sheepshead

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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Additional information
No minimum size limit Citation 10 lbs or 24 inches
Edibility
Very good; Catch, Clean, Cook Sheepshead
Synonyms
Archosargus probatocephalus, Referee fish
Season open: year-round
Bluefish

Bluefish

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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Additional information
No minimum size. Bag limit = 5 per person on for-hire or charter vessels For more information, see Virginia MRC SW Rec Fishing Rules Citation 16 lbs or 36 inches
Edibility
Good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Bluefish by DMFD
Synonyms
Pomatomus saltatrix
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Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

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Reviews of The Desert

3.8
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6 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Virginia Beach

12.1 miles away

Norfolk

14.0 miles away

Portsmouth

19.7 miles away

Hampton

22.2 miles away

Chesapeake

22.8 miles away

Cape Charles

24.2 miles away

Poquoson

24.8 miles away

Moyock

28.5 miles away

Carrollton

28.7 miles away

Eastville

30.9 miles away

Newport News

31.4 miles away

Benns Church

32.0 miles away

Yorktown

36.1 miles away

South Mills

37.1 miles away

Suffolk

38.0 miles away

Coinjock

38.5 miles away

Rushmere

38.9 miles away

Windsor

41.2 miles away

Elizabeth City

44.2 miles away

Sunbury

46.3 miles away

Grandy

47.0 miles away

Carrsville

48.0 miles away

Winfall

54.2 miles away

Hertford

56.3 miles away

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FAQ about The Desert fishing

📍 Where is The Desert located?
The Desert is a swamp located in City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
36°54′24.2″N 76°00′20″W
.
🎣 Where on The Desert is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on The Desert 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 Desert?
The most common species in The Desert are:
  • Spotted seatrout - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Sheepshead - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Bluefish - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest The Desert fishing reports?
The latest The Desert fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at The Desert right now?
According to fishing regulations at The Desert, 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 Desert?

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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