Virginia regulations
Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) Regulations in Virginia 2026
Virginia trout 2026 open seasons vary by 166 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DWR.
Rules (303)
Accotink Creek (Fairfax County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Accotink Creek (Fairfax County): That Portion Of Stream From King Arthur Road Downstream 3.1 Miles To Route 620 (Braddock Road)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
All Virginia WatersOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No limit — Unlimited; Artificially raised trout only
Back Creek (Bath County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Back Creek (Bath County): That Portion Of Stream From The Rt. 600 Bridge Just Below The Virginia Power Back Creek Dam Downstream 1.5 Miles To The Rt. 600 Bridge At The Lower Boundary Of The Virginia Power Recreational AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Big Moccasin Creek (Scott County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Big Moccasin Creek (Scott County): That Portion Of The Stream From The Vdot Foot Bridge At The Lower End Of Gate City Downstream To The Wadlow Gap Highway Bridge (Highway 58/421)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Cave Mountain Lake (Natural Bridge)
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
Chestnut Creek (Carroll County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Chestnut Creek (Carroll County): That Portion Of Stream From The U.s. Route 58 Bridge Downstream Approximately 4.2 Miles To The Downstream Boundary Of The New River Trail State Park Cliffview CampgroundOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
A daily permit ($8.00) is required from the first Saturday in April through September 30. Daily permit required from the first Saturday in April through September 30
Crooked Creek Fee Fishing AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
A daily permit ($8.00) is required from the first Saturday in April through September 30. Daily permit required from the first Saturday in April through September 30
Dan RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
wild and stocked trout fishing opportunities, with two special regulation areas in mountainous Patrick Co.
Designated Stocked Trout WaterOpen
- Status
- Open
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
NO CLOSED SEASON Trout License Required October 1 through June 15
Designated Stocked Trout Waters
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
- Gear
- No Seines And Nets
except that a hand-landing net to land fish legally hooked may be used in all waters
Douthat LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Douthat Lake stocked 4 times and Wilson Creek stocked 5 times outside of the fee fishing season.
Douthat State Park Fee Fishing AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
From June 16 through September 14, no trout will be stocked and no daily fee or trout license is required. Daily permit required from the first Saturday in April through June 15 and from September 15 through October 31
Fee Fishing AreasOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
After the fee fishing season, these areas revert to designated stocked trout waters and a trout license is required instead of the daily permit.
Franklin County Park Pond (Rocky Mount)
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
Glen Alton Pond (Giles Co.)
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
Hardy Creek (Lee County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Hardy Creek (Lee County): That Portion Of Stream From The Vdot Swinging Bridge Just Upstream Of The Route 658 Ford Downstream To The Route 661 BridgeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Holliday Creek (Appomattox/ Buckingham Counties)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Holliday Creek (Appomattox/ Buckingham Counties): That Portion Of Stream From The Rt. 640 Crossing Downstream 2.8 Miles To A Sign At The Headwaters Of Holliday LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. A State Forest Use Permit is required by the VDOF for anyone 16 years and older who fishes in one of Virginia’s 19 State Forests. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Holmes Run (Fairfax County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Holmes Run (Fairfax County): That Portion Of Stream From The Lake Barcroft Dam Downstream 1.2 Miles To A Sign Posted At The Alexandria City LineOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Impoundments (Ponds, Lakes, And Reservoirs)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Artificially raised rainbow trout may be sold as bait, except impoundments listed as designated stocked trout waters, Lake Moomaw, and Philpott Reservoir
Indian Creek (Lee County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Indian Creek (Lee County): That Portion Of Stream Within The Boundaries Of Wilderness Road State ParkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Ivy Creek – Peaks View Park (Lynchburg)
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
Jackson River Tail WaterCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
- Min size
- 7"
- Max size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
- Gear
- Bait Allowed
no brown trout less than 20 inches No rainbow trout 12 to 16 inches combined rainbow and brown only 1 of 4 can be a brown trout over 20 inches The 7-inch statewide minimum size limit does not apply to rainbow trout in this section of river.
Jackson River Tail Water Trout Water (Alleghany County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
All brown trout less than 20 inches must be released immediately. All rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches must be released immediately. No rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches may be in possession
Jackson River TailwaterCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
- Min size
- 7"
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
All rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches must be released immediately. combined rainbow and brown, only 1 of 4 can be a brown trout over 20 inches combined rainbow and brown no brown trout less than 20 inches; All brown trout less than 20 inches must be released immediately. The 7-inch statewide minimum size limit does not apply to rainbow trout in this section of river.
Jackson River Tailwater (Alleghany County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
- Min size
- 7"
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
all brown trout less than 20 inches must be released immediately. All rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches must be released immediately. only 1 of 4 can be a brown trout over 20 inches The 7-inch statewide minimum size limit does not apply to rainbow trout in this section of river.
James RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Artificially raised rainbow trout may be sold as bait
Lake Moomaw (Alleghany/Bath Counties)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
Maury RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
excellent stocked trout fishery in the Goshen Pass section
Middle Fork Of Powell River (Wise County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Middle Fork Of Powell River (Wise County): That Portion Of Stream From The Trestle Bridge Just Downstream Of The Town Of Appalachia To The Trestle Bridge Just Upstream Of The Town Of Big Stone GapOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Mill Creek (Grayson County)
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 9"
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Mossy CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
- Gear
- Fly Fishing Only
New RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Artificially raised rainbow trout may be sold as bait
North Fork Of Pound And Pound Rivers (Wise County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
North Fork Of Pound And Pound Rivers (Wise County): That Portion Of The Streams From The Base Of North Fork Of Pound Dam Downstream To The Confluence With Indian CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
North Fork Shenandoah River In Rockingham CountyOpen
- Status
- Permitted
North RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31; Augusta County No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31; Augusta County
North River (Augusta County): That Portion Of Stream From The Base Of Elkhorn Dam Downstream 1.5 Miles To A Sign Posted At The Head Of Staunton City ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Northern Fauquier Community Park Pond
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters; Marshall
Passage Creek (Warren County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Passage Creek (Warren County): That Portion Of Stream From The Shenandoah/ Warren County Line Downstream Approximately 1 Mile Through The Department’s Front Royal Fish HatcheryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Pedlar River (Amherst County)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Pedlar River (Amherst County): That Portion Of Stream From The City Of Lynchburg/George Washington National Forest Boundary Line (Below Lynchburg Reservoir) Downstream 2.7 Miles To The Boundary Line Of The George Washington National Forest (Southeast Of Buena Vista)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Pedlar River Delayed HarvestOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Pedlar River Delayed Harvest will not be stocked during the fall months due to low stream flows.
Piney River (Nelson/Amherst Counties)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; October 1 through May 31
Piney River (Nelson/Amherst Counties): That Portion Of Stream From The Piney River Trailhead Of The Virginia Blue Ridge Trail (Downstream From Route 151) Downstream To The Route 674 Crossing At Roses Mill RoadOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Roanoke River (Roanoke County And City Of Salem)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Live Bait
No trout may be in possession; Salem section; October 1 through May 31 No bait may be in possession; Salem section; October 1 through May 31
Roanoke River (Roanoke County And City Of Salem): Green Hill Park Section From The Route 760 Bridge (Diguids Lane) Upstream 1 Mile To A Sign Posted At The Upper End Of The ParkOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Roanoke River (Roanoke County And City Of Salem): Salem Section Along Riverside Drive From The Colorado Street Bridge Downstream Approximately 2 Miles To The Route 419 BridgeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Trout license required October 1–June 15. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters. October 1 through May 31
Shenandoah National ParkClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 9"
- Min size
- 7"
- Min size
- 7"
The release of any brown trout back into any Park stream is prohibited and brown trout less than 7 inches must be disposed of within the Park but away from Park streams, roads or trails. On those streams open to harvest
Smith RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
- Min size
- 7"
- Slot min
- 10"
- Slot max
- 24"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
State Record: 18 lbs. 11 oz. on 6-22-1979 all trout combined only 1 brown trout per day longer than 24 inches No brown trout 10 to 24 inches any combination of artificial lure is allowed
Smith River (Henry County)
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 7"
- Min size
- 7"
- Slot min
- 10"
- Slot max
- 24"
only 1 brown trout per day longer than 24 inches only one brown trout can be larger than 24 inches. No brown trout 10 to 24 inches
Smith River (Henry County): From Philpott Dam Downstream To The State Route 636 Bridge Crossing (Mitchell Bridge) Located Approximately 31 Miles Downstream Of Philpott Dam And Approximately 10.5 Miles Below Martinsville DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
- Min size
- 7"
- Slot min
- 10"
- Slot max
- 24"
No brown trout 10 to 24 inches only one brown trout can be larger than 24 inches
South Fork Clinch River – Dunford Park (Tazewell)
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
South Fork Holston RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 16"
South Fork, HolstonOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 14 lbs. 12 oz. on 5-24-1990
South Holston ReservoirClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Daily bag
- 7 fish/day
- Gear
- Bait Allowed
The South Holston License is not valid for possession of trout.
South River – Basic Park (Waynesboro)
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
South River (Augusta County/ City Of Waynesboro): That Portion Of Stream From The Second St. Bridge Upstream 2 Miles To The Wayne Ave. Bridge In The City Of WaynesboroOpen
- Status
- Permitted
A trout license is required.
Spring CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 14 lbs. 12 oz. on 6-9-2024
Spring Run (Bath County): That Portion Of The Stream From Its Confluence With The Cowpasture River Upstream To A Cable And Posted Sign At The Discharge From Coursey Springs HatcheryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
A trout license is required October 1 through June 15.
Thompson Wma PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Thompson will be stocked as a Category A water, provided the pond water level is compatible with stocking needs.
Two Ponds (Smyth Co.) – Mount Rogers Nra Office
- Daily bag
- 3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
Urban Fishing WatersOpen
- Status
- Open
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
NO CLOSED SEASON Trout License Required November 1 through April 30
Virginia's WatersOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No limit — Unlimited; Artificially raised trout only
Wildcat HollowOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
no longer catch and release and defaults to statewide bag and size limit on trout
Wilson CreekOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Douthat Lake stocked 4 times and Wilson Creek stocked 5 times outside of the fee fishing season.
Other Virginia fish regulations
Other regulated species in Virginia with current rule pages — same DWR source, same verification cadence.
- Smallmouth Bass118 rules
- Largemouth Bass109 rules
- Channel Catfish100 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)83 rules
- Stripers (Striped Bass)80 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
Trout is also called Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow), Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Tiger Trout. 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 Trout season in Virginia?
Trout season in Virginia runs from Oct 1 to Jun 15 per DWR.
What is the size limit for Trout in Virginia?
Minimum size for Trout in Virginia is 9 inches in Big Wilson Creek, per DWR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Trout in Virginia?
Daily bag limit for Trout in Virginia is 6 fish/day in Big Wilson Creek, 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/trout-fishing-guide
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DWR before keeping a catch.