Can I Keep?Scup Regulations in Virginia (2026)
Stenotomus chrysops
Recreational scup rules in Virginia saltwater, as published by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Size limit
9 in minimum
Bag limit
30 per person
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Scup rules in Virginia
- Where
- All waters
- Size limit
- B. The minimum size limit of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be nine inches in total length.
- Bag limit
- F. 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 30 scup.
- When fishing is from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by 30.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Ocean
- Size limit
- A. The minimum size limit of scup harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be nine inches in total length.
- Bag limit
- A. During the commercial Winter I period January 1 through April 30 of each year, it shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following: 1. Possess aboard any vessel in Virginia more than 50,000 pounds of scup; 2. Land in Virginia more than a total of 50,000 pounds of scup during each consecutive seven-day landing period, with the first seven-day period beginning on January 1; or 3. When it is projected and announced that 80% of the coastwide quota for the Winter I period has been attained, possess aboard any vessel or land in Virginia more than a total of 1,000 pounds of scup. B. During the commercial Winter II period October 1 through December 31 of each year, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess aboard any vessel or to land in Virginia any amount of scup totaling more than the federal per trip possession limit that has been announced by National Marine Fisheries Service. This federal per trip possession limit will be posted on the commission website. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess aboard any vessel in Virginia more than 5,000 pounds of scup during the Summer period.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or to land any scup for commercial purposes after any winter period coastwide quota or summer period Virginia quota has been attained and announced as such.
Quick answers
What is the scup size limit in Virginia?
B. The minimum size limit of scup harvested by recreational fishing gear including hook and line, rod and reel, spear, and gig shall be nine inches in total length..
How many scup can I keep in Virginia?
F. 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 30 scup..
Compare Scup limits in other states →
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Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Most anglers need a Virginia saltwater license or registry: get one here.