Virginia regulations
Stripers (Striped Bass) Regulations in Virginia 2026
Virginia Stripers regulations as of 2026-05-08: Status Permitted; Status Permitted; Status Permitted. Sourced from DWR.
Rules (80)
AbelOpen
- Status
- Permitted
AccotinkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
All Tidal RiversOpen
- Status
- Permitted
AnnaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Appomattox RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
seasonal fishery, run out of Lake Chesdin
Atlantic Ocean Waters Beyond The 3 Mile LimitClosed
- Status
- Closed
closed to the taking and possession of striped bass all year.
Back BayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Beaverdam Cr.Open
- Status
- Permitted
Blackwater (Chowan Drainage)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
No possession
Blackwater (Chowan Drainage) River
- Gear
- No Possession
Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage)Open
- Status
- Permitted
limited numbers
BrieryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Buggs IslandOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Carvins Cove
- Min size
- 37"
Chesapeake Bay Fall SeasonOut of season
- Season opens
- Oct 4
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
Chesapeake Bay Spring SeasonOut of season
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
ClaytorOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Claytor Lake
- Min size
- 37"
Clinch RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
sometimes caught in lower stretches, migrate out of Norris Reservoir in Tennessee
CookOpen
- Status
- Permitted
DanOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Dan RiverIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
run begins in late April run continues through May
Dry RunOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Flannagan Res.
- Min size
- 37"
FrederickOpen
- Status
- Permitted
GastonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Germantown LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Hone QuarryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Hunting Run ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Huntsman LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Lake Anna
- Min size
- 37"
Lake Anna State Park PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Lake MooneyOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LauraOpen
- Status
- Permitted
LeesvilleOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Leesville ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 53 lbs. 7 oz. on 3-16-2000
Locust ShadeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
MeherrinClosed
- Status
- Closed
No possession
Meherrin RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
MottsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Mtn. Run Ni ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
New RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Newman LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
North LandingClosed
- Status
- Closed
No possession
North Landing RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Northwest RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Northwest Rivers And Their Tributaries Plus Back BayClosed
- Status
- Closed
No possession
NottowayClosed
- Status
- Closed
No possession
Nottoway RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Old Cossey PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
ShenandoahOpen
- Status
- Permitted
SilverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
SkidmoreOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Slate LickOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Smith MountainOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Staunton/RoanokeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
TomahawkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Virginia Coastal SeasonsOut of season
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
Virginia Department Of Wildlife Resources LakesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Western BranchOpen
- Status
- Permitted
WilkinsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Woodrow Wilson PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Stripers on famous Virginia waters
Dedicated rule pages for Stripers on the most-targeted destinations in Virginia.
Also known as
Stripers is also called Stripers (Striped Bass), Striped Bass, striped bass. 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 Stripers season in Virginia?
Stripers season in Virginia runs from Oct 4 to Dec 31 per DWR.
What is the size limit for Stripers in Virginia?
Minimum size for Stripers in Virginia is 37 inches in Carvins Cove, per DWR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Stripers in Virginia?
Daily bag limit for Stripers in Virginia is 1 fish/person in Chesapeake Bay Fall Season, per DWR.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/26VAFW_LR_2026-01-14-181617_afxs.pdf
- https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/reports/swrecfishingrules.php
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/VA/26VAFW_LR.pdf
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DWR before keeping a catch. Last verified .