Top fish species at Charles Lake
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Fishing regulations at Charles Lake, 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
Atlantic bluefin tuna
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
HMS Tuna
Anglers with an HMS Angling permit may harvest Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin, Skipjack using handline, rod and reel, or speargun. Bluefin tuna may only be harvested using handline or rod and reel (no speargun).
Curved fork length means the length of a tuna taken in a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail. The measuring tape must pass over (and touch) the pectoral fin and the caudal keel.
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.
The Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category when fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna. Retention limits for HMS Angling category-permitted vessels are as follows:
Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT):
- < 27" curved fork length: bag limit = 0
- 27" to <73" curved fork length: bag limit = 1 per vessel per day or trip
- > 73" curved fork length: bag limit = 1 per vessel per year provided the "trophy" category subquota in the respective region is available at the time of harvest (see below).
- Gulf of Maine: open
- Southern New England: open
- Trophy South: closed
- Gulf of America: open
For additional regulations and bag limits, see the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Bag Limits webpage .
Bluefin tuna retention limits may change throughout the season. To confirm current limits, call 1-888-872-8862 or 1-978-281-9260.
Anglers must report all recreational bluefin tuna landings. Report all non-tournament recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna landings to NMFS within 24 hours by calling 1-888-872-8862 or hmspermits.noaa.gov.
You must report recreational landings of bluefin tuna in North Carolina by calling 1-800-338-7804.
You must report recreational landings of bluefin tuna in Maryland by calling 1-410-213-1531.
Fishing for highly migratory species recreationally requires an HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat vessel permit from NOAA Fisheries. Permits are available by calling 1-888-872-8862, or by visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. No sale permitted for HMS species caught under an HMS Angling Permit.
For complete HMS regulations contact NOAA Fisheries HMS Management Division at 1-301-427-8503 or visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov
Summer flounder
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.
Snagging
Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.
Jan. 1 - May 31: minimum size = 16-inches
June 1 - Dec. 31: minimum size = 17.5-inches
Open year-round.
The above flounder restrictions apply to Virginia tidal waters, except that in Virginia's Potomac River tributaries the minimum size limit, closed season, and possession limit will be the same as established by the PRFC for the mainstem Potomac River.
Federal regulations are waived for Summer Flounder, and recreational anglers shall follow regulations for the state in which their catch is landed.
Citation 6 lbs or 26 inches.
Spotted bass
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.
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 Altered Fish
It shall be unlawful for any person, while fishing, to remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any gamefish (except bluegill sunfish and bream of the sunfish family) having a daily creel or size limit so as to obscure its species or render it impracticable to measure its total original length or count the number of such fish in possession. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or transport such altered gamefish while on the water. However, the prohibition against possession and transportation in the previous sentence shall not apply to the preparation of lawfully obtained fish for immediate use as food or any lawful commercial use of such fish.
VA Hook and Line
Fishing in inland waters must be by angling with a hook and line or rod and reel. A hand landing net may be used to land fish legally hooked in all waters. See Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for exceptions.
No statewide daily limit, no statewide length limit.
For more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
FAQ about Charles Lake fishing
- Atlantic bluefin tuna - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- Summer flounder - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- Spotted bass - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
- @jason-mccune reported a nice Spotted bass.
- @cgrubbs6392 reported a nice Atlantic bluefin tuna.
- @koolgro reported a nice Summer flounder.
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