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Gulf Branch

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

3.9·8 catches

Top fish species at Gulf Branch

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Gulf Branch fishing reports

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White perch

5 in · 2 oz

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American eel

length · weight

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37 in · 30 lb

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Pumpkinseed

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Blue catfish

length · weight

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General info

Gulf Branch is a stream located in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing American eel, Striped bass, and White perch.

Location

38°55′19.3″N 77°06′59.2″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Gulf Branch?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Gulf 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 Gulf 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: year-round
American eel

American eel

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit25

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 size9" (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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Edibility
May contain elevated mercury levels.
Synonyms
Anguilla rostrata
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
Season open: year-round
White perch

White perch

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
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.

Additional information
No statewide daily bag limit. No statewide length limit.Exceptions to statewide regulations: Lake Moomaw: 10 perch per day Tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay below the fall line: No yellow perch less than 9-inches total lengthFor more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Morone americana
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Gulf Branch

3.9
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7 ratings

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1
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Cities nearby

Brookmont

2.4 miles away

Arlington

3.1 miles away

Somerset

3.3 miles away

Glen Echo

3.5 miles away

Chevy Chase Village

3.9 miles away

Falls Church

4.1 miles away

Cabin John

4.4 miles away

McLean

4.4 miles away

Bethesda

4.5 miles away

Martin's Additions

4.7 miles away

Idylwood

5.3 miles away

Chevy Chase

5.5 miles away

Tysons

6.0 miles away

North Chevy Chase

6.0 miles away

Chevy Chase View

7.0 miles away

South Kensington

7.0 miles away

Kensington

7.6 miles away

Potomac

7.6 miles away

Forest Glen

7.7 miles away

Garrett Park

8.0 miles away

North Bethesda

8.1 miles away

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FAQ about Gulf Branch fishing

📍 Where is the Gulf Branch located?
the Gulf Branch is a stream located in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°55′19.3″N 77°06′59.2″W
.
🎣 Where on the Gulf Branch is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Gulf 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 Gulf Branch?
The most common species in the Gulf Branch are:
📢 What are the latest Gulf Branch fishing reports?
The latest Gulf Branch fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Gulf Branch right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Gulf Branch, some of the species in season this October 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 Gulf 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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