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Virginia regulations

Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) Regulations in Virginia 2026

Virginia Trout regulations as of 2026-05-08: Status Permitted; Status Permitted; Gear No Live Bait. Sourced from DWR.

DWRVerified Official source

About Trout

Rules (303)

AbelOpen
Status
Permitted
AccotinkOpen
Status
Permitted
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
AnnaOpen
Status
Permitted
ArrowheadOpen
Status
Permitted
Augusta County Rec PondOpen
Status
Permitted
Back CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Bealer’s Ferry PondOpen
Status
Permitted
Beaverdam Cr.Open
Status
Permitted
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
Big Tumbling CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Big Wilson Creek
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Min size
9"
Gear
No Live Bait
Braley PondOpen
Status
Permitted
BrieryOpen
Status
Permitted
Bullpasture River In Bath And Highland CountiesOpen
Status
Permitted
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
ClaytorOpen
Status
Permitted
Clearbrook Forest Service LakesOpen
Status
Permitted
Clifton Forge ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Coles Run ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
Status
Permitted
CookOpen
Status
Permitted
Cripple CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Crooked CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Status
Permitted
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
Cub RunOpen
Status
Permitted
State Record: 5 lbs. 15 oz. on 3-12-2019
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 Forest Service LakesOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Dry RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Dry RunOpen
Status
Permitted
Elk CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
ElkhornOpen
Status
Permitted
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.
Fox CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Franklin County Park Pond (Rocky Mount)
Daily bag
3 trout
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
FrederickOpen
Status
Permitted
GatewoodOpen
Status
Permitted
Germantown LakeOpen
Status
Permitted
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
High Knob Lake
Daily bag
2 fish/day
Min size
14"
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
Hone QuarryOpen
Status
Permitted
Hughes RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Hunting Run ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
Huntsman LakeOpen
Status
Permitted
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 RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Status
Permitted
Jackson River In Bath CountyOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Jeremy’s RunOpen
Status
Permitted
Lake Anna State Park PondOpen
Status
Permitted
Lake Moomaw
Daily bag
2 fish/day
Min size
16"
Gear
Bait Allowed
Lake Moomaw (Alleghany/Bath Counties)
Daily bag
2 fish/day
Min size
16"
Lake MooneyOpen
Status
Permitted
LauraOpen
Status
Permitted
LaurelOpen
Status
Permitted
Laurel BedOpen
Status
Permitted
Laurel ForkOpen
Status
Permitted
LexingtonOpen
Status
Permitted
Lexington City ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
LincolnshireOpen
Status
Permitted
Little Reed Island CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Little RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Little Stoney CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Little Wilson Creek
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Min size
9"
Gear
No Live Bait
Locust ShadeOpen
Status
Permitted
Lovill’s CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
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
MoomawOpen
Status
Permitted
Status
Permitted
Status
Permitted
Mossy CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
20"
Gear
Fly Fishing Only
MottsOpen
Status
Permitted
Mtn. Run Ni ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
New RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Artificially raised rainbow trout may be sold as bait
Newman LakeOpen
Status
Permitted
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 PoundOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Norton ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
Old Cossey PondOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Passage Creek In Shenandoah CountyOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Potts CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Status
Permitted
Pound River
Daily bag
2 fish/day
Min size
16"
Quebec Branch
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Min size
9"
Gear
No Live Bait
Rapidan RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Roanoke RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Roaring Run
Daily bag
2 fish/day
Min size
16"
Rose RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
ShenandoahOpen
Status
Permitted
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
SherandoOpen
Status
Permitted
SilverOpen
Status
Permitted
SkidmoreOpen
Status
Permitted
Slate LickOpen
Status
Permitted
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 HolstonOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
20"
Gear
Fly Fishing Only
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.
South River In Rockbridge CountyOpen
Status
Permitted
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.
Switzer LakeOpen
Status
Permitted
Tams City ParkOpen
Status
Permitted
Thompson Wma PondOpen
Status
Permitted
Thompson will be stocked as a Category A water, provided the pond water level is compatible with stocking needs.
TomahawkOpen
Status
Permitted
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
Urban Program Waters
Daily bag
4 fish/day
Min size
7"
Virginia Department Of Wildlife Resources LakesOpen
Status
Permitted
Virginia Power Rec. PondsOpen
Status
Permitted
Virginia's WatersOpen
Status
Permitted
No limit — Unlimited; Artificially raised trout only
Whitetop LaurelOpen
Status
Permitted
Wilburn Branch
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Min size
9"
Gear
No Live Bait
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
WilkinsOpen
Status
Permitted
Willis RobertsonOpen
Status
Permitted
Wilson CreekOpen
Status
Permitted
Douthat Lake stocked 4 times and Wilson Creek stocked 5 times outside of the fee fishing season.
WittenOpen
Status
Permitted
Woodrow Wilson PondOpen
Status
Permitted
Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters
Daily bag
3 fish/day
Min size
7"

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

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DWR before keeping a catch. Last verified .

← All Virginia fishing regulations