Smith Mountain Lake · Virginia · Stripers
Smith Mountain Lake Stripers Fishing Regulations 2026
Smith Mountain Lake stripers 2026 open seasons vary by 63 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DWR.
Rules (93)
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
Blackwater (Chowan Drainage)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
No possession
Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage)Open
- Status
- Permitted
limited numbers
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"
Clinch RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
sometimes caught in lower stretches, migrate out of Norris Reservoir in Tennessee
Dan RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
run begins in late April run continues through May
Leesville ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 53 lbs. 7 oz. on 3-16-2000
Meherrin RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
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
Nottoway RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- No Possession
No possession
Smith Mountain Lake And Its Tributaries, Including The Roanoke River Upstream To Niagara DamOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jun 1
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
- Slot max
- 40"
- Slot max
- 40"
June 1–October 31: No length limit in the aggregate (combined) 2 per day in the aggregate (combined) November 1–May 31: No striped bass 30 to 40 inches
Virginia Coastal SeasonsIn season
- Season opens
- May 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
Also known as
Rules above match the following common names in our regulations database: Striped Bass, Landlocked Striped Bass And Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids, Landlocked Striped Bass, Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids.
Frequently asked questions
When is Stripers season on Smith Mountain Lake?
Stripers season on Smith Mountain Lake runs from Oct 4 to Dec 31 per DWR.
What is the size limit for Stripers on Smith Mountain Lake?
Minimum size for Stripers on Smith Mountain Lake is 37 inches in Carvins Cove. Slot or maximum sizes may apply elsewhere on the water; see the table above.
What is the daily bag limit for Stripers on Smith Mountain Lake?
Daily bag limit for Stripers on Smith Mountain Lake is 1 fish/person in Chesapeake Bay Fall Season.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.