Can I Keep?Black sea bass Regulations in Virginia (2026)
Centropristis striata
Recreational black sea bass rules in Virginia saltwater, as published by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Last checked November 7, 2026.
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Recreational Black sea bass rules in Virginia
- Where
- All waters
- Size limit
- B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 13 inches in total length.
- Bag limit
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod and reel, spear, gig, or other recreational gear to possess more than 15 black sea bass.
- Season
- C. In 2026, the open recreational fishing season shall be from May 11 through December 31. In 2027, the open recreational fishing season shall be from April 1 through December 31.
- When fishing from a recreational vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for that vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally licensed to fish, multiplied by 15.
- E. From February 1 through the last day of February, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or land any black sea bass harvested from a recreational vessel, unless the captain or operator of that recreational vessel has obtained a Recreational Black Sea Bass Permit from the Marine Resources Commission (commission).
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Ocean
- Size limit
- A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length.
- Bag limit
- Any directed fishery permittee shall be limited to landings in Virginia in the amount of the permittee's individual fishery quota, in pounds, in any calendar year and it shall be unlawful for any permittee to exceed that permittee's individual fishery quota. D. It shall be unlawful for any person permitted for the bycatch fishery to do any of the following: 1. Possess aboard a vessel or land in Virginia more than 200 pounds of black sea bass in addition to the North Carolina legal landing limit or trip limit, in any one day, except as provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection; 2. Possess aboard a vessel or land in Virginia more than 1,500 pounds of black sea bass in addition to the North Carolina legal landing limit or trip limit, in any one day, provided that the total weight of black sea bass on board the vessel does not exceed 10%, by weight, of the total weight of summer flounder, scup, Longfin squid, and Atlantic mackerel on board the vessel; or 3. Possess aboard a vessel or land in Virginia more than 100 pounds of black sea bass in addition to the North Carolina legal landing limit or trip limit when it is projected and announced that 75% of the bycatch fishery quota has been taken.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set, or fish any fish pot in Virginia tidal waters for the purposes of harvesting black sea bass or to possess or to land in Virginia black sea bass harvested by fish pots which are not constructed as follows: 1.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person to participate in the commercial black sea bass fishery or to possess, harvest, or sell black sea bass, except as described in 4VAC20-950-60 and 4VAC20-950-70 , without first qualifying for and obtaining either a directed fishery permit or a bycatch fishery permit from the commission, as described, respectively, in subsections B, C, and D of this section, unless that person meets the requirements described in 4VAC20-950-48 .2.
- D. The commercial black sea bass bycatch fishery shall be allocated 40,000 pounds of the annual quota each calendar year.
- E. It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer black sea bass from one vessel to another while at sea.
Quick answers
What is the black sea bass size limit in Virginia?
B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 13 inches in total length..
How many black sea bass can I keep in Virginia?
A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, rod and reel, spear, gig, or other recreational gear to possess more than 15 black sea bass..
When is black sea bass season in Virginia?
C. In 2026, the open recreational fishing season shall be from May 11 through December 31. In 2027, the open recreational fishing season shall be from April 1 through December 31.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
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Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Most anglers need a Virginia saltwater license or registry: get one here.