What's New

The following fishing regulation changes are new beginning January 1, 2008. More details can be found in sections that follow this summary.

Game/Sport Fish Regulations

South Fork Holston and Middle Fork Holston rivers have the same walleye 18-inch minimum length limit as South Holston Reservoir (see table [PDF]).
Demarcation lines for the "No possession (catch and release only)" regulation for American and Hickory Shad have been corrected (see table [PDF]).
The creel and length limits for anadromous (coastal) river herring (alewife and blue back herring) above and below the fall line in all rivers of the Chesapeake Bay are set by VMRC (see table [PDF]).
There is "no possession" of river herring (alewife and blueback herring) for the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing, and Northwest rivers (see table [PDF]).

Culling of trout in designated stocked trout waters, including Urban Trout Waters, is no longer legal. Once a trout is taken into possession by placing in the creel (basket, bucket, stringer, cooler, etc.) it becomes part of the daily creel limit and may not be released (culled) (see "Trout Waters").
A multiple number of single-hook lures (such as dropper flies), fished in a series, can be used in single-hook artificial lure special regulation trout waters (see "Trout Waters").
The Shenandoah National Park has passed new trout regulations for 2008 (see "Trout Waters").
There is no longer a special 2 per day trout creel limit at Philpott Reservoir.
Artificial lures with multiple hooks, not just single-hook lures, can be used on the Jackson River 16-inch minimum, 2 trout per day special regulation trout section in Bath County (see "Trout Waters").
Trout stockings will be reduced while Coursey Springs Hatchery is being renovated (see trout guide for more details).

Note changes under the heading Game/Sport Fish Regulations for anadromous river herring (Also, see table [PDF]).
Snapping turtles can now be taken for personal use using turtle traps (hoop nets) not exceeding 6 feet in length with a throat opening not exceeding 36 inches (see "Nongame").
Bow and arrow fishing has been amended to include only common carp, and not grass carp, add northern snakehead along with common carp and gar. Crossbows are now allowed (see "Nongame").
Native amphibians and reptiles that are legally captured in Virginia and possessed live for private use and not for sale may be liberated back into the wild under certain conditions (see "Nongame").
Chinese mitten crab (Briocheir sinensis) has been added to the list of non-native animals that cannot be imported, possessed or sold in Virginia without a permit from DGIF (see "Nongame").