Virginia regulations
Stripers (Striped Bass) Regulations in Virginia 2026
Virginia stripers 2026 open seasons vary by 62 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DWR.
Rules (80)
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Closed
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Oct 4
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
- Status
- Closed
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
Stripers on famous Virginia waters
Dedicated rule pages for Stripers on the most-targeted destinations in Virginia.
Other Virginia fish regulations
Other regulated species in Virginia with current rule pages — same DWR source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)303 rules
- Smallmouth Bass118 rules
- Largemouth Bass109 rules
- Channel Catfish100 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)83 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)70 rules
- Yellow Perch54 rules
- White Perch54 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)44 rules
- Blue Catfish31 rules
- Fluke (Summer Flounder)5 rules
- Redfish (Red Drum)4 rules
- Cobia3 rules
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