• What's New
• Free Freshwater Fishing Days: June 7-9, 2013
• Fishing License Information & Fees
• Reciprocal Licenses
• Freshwater/Saltwater Lines on Tidal Waters
• General Freshwater Fishing Regulations
• Game/Sport Fish Regulations
  • Creel and Length Limit Table (PDF)
• Trout Waters
• Nongame Fish, Reptile, Amphibian, and Aquatic Invertebrate Regulations
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Lake Horsepower Limits

Prefer to print the entire digest?

• 2013 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia Digest (PDF)

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater fishing in Virginia is handled by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). More information regarding license requirements, fees, and regulations may be found on VMRC's Web site.

Moratorium on Possession of River Herring

It is now illegal for any person to have river herring in their possession—this includes blueback herring and alewife. All river herring inadvertently caught by anglers must be immediately released back into the water. In Virginia, regulations regarding the harvest and possession of river herring are set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). On January 1, 2012, VMRC enacted a regulation which makes it unlawful for any person to be in possession of river herring in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Anglers with concerns or questions should contact the Virginia Marine Fisheries Commission (VMRC) in Newport News at 1-800-541-4646. Additional information can be found on the VMRC website.

This Web site contains general information. Specific laws and regulations are found in the Code of Virginia or the DGIF Fisheries, Wildlife, and Boating Regulations. For answers to specific questions about fishing, please contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.