Virginia regulations
Bluegill (Sunfish) Regulations in Virginia 2026
Virginia Bluegill regulations as of 2026-05-08: Status Permitted; Status Permitted; Status Permitted. Sourced from DWR.
Rules (83)
AbelOpen
- Status
- Permitted
AccotinkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
AnnaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Appomattox RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
ArrowheadOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Augusta County Rec PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Bank Fishing OnlyOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Bealer’s Ferry PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Beaverdam Cr.Open
- Status
- Permitted
Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Braley PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
BrieryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Briery CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Carvins Cove
- Min size
- 10"
ChickahominyOpen
- Status
- Permitted
ClaytorOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Claytor Lake
- Min size
- 10"
Clearbrook Forest Service LakesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Clifton Forge ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Clinch RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
CohoonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Coles Run ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
CookOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Dan RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
just west of Danville
Douthat Forest Service LakesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Dry RunOpen
- Status
- Permitted
ElkhornOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Flannagan Res.
- Min size
- 10"
FrederickOpen
- Status
- Permitted
GatewoodOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Germantown LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Hone QuarryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Hunting Run ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Huntsman LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
James River (Upper)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Lake Anna
- Min size
- 10"
Lake Anna State Park PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Lake MooneyOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LauraOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LaurelOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LexingtonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LincolnshireOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Little CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Locust ShadeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Lone StarOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Lovill’s CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
MeadeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
MoomawOpen
- Status
- Permitted
MottsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Mtn. Run Ni ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
New RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Newman LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
North Fork Holston RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
North Fork PoundOpen
- Status
- Permitted
North Fork Shenandoah RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
North Landing RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
Northwest RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
abundant
Norton ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
NottowayOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Nottoway RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
below Rt. 630 Bridge, more common
Old Cossey PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
PrinceOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Private PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 4 lbs. 12 oz. on 4-28-1986
RobertsonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
ShenandoahOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Shenandoah River (Main Stem)Open
- Status
- Permitted
SherandoOpen
- Status
- Permitted
SilverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
SkidmoreOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Slate LickOpen
- Status
- Permitted
South HolstonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
South Holston Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 50 fish/day
Tams City ParkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
TomahawkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Virginia Department Of Wildlife Resources LakesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Virginia Power Rec. PondsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Western BranchOpen
- Status
- Permitted
WilkinsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Willis RobertsonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
WittenOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Woodrow Wilson PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Also known as
Bluegill is also called Bluegill (Sunfish), Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, sunfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Virginia.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bluegill season in Virginia?
Bluegill season in Virginia is set by DWR. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Bluegill in Virginia?
Minimum size for Bluegill in Virginia is 10 inches in Carvins Cove, per DWR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Bluegill in Virginia?
Daily bag limit for Bluegill in Virginia is 50 fish/day in South Holston Reservoir, per DWR.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/26VAFW_LR_2026-01-14-181617_afxs.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/VA/26VAFW_LR.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/virginia/fishing/public-lakes-guide
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DWR before keeping a catch. Last verified .