Can I Keep?Striped bass Regulations in Virginia (2026)
Morone saxatilis
Recreational striped bass rules in Virginia saltwater, as published by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Size limit
19–24 in
Bag limit
D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
Season
A. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries…
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Recreational Striped bass rules in Virginia
- Where
- Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (spring/summer) (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length. C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length.
- Bag limit
- D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
- Season
- A. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries spring/summer striped bass recreational fishery shall be May 16 through June 15, inclusive.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any striped bass by any gear or method other than hook-and-line, rod and reel, hand line, or spearing.
- B. Any person fishing recreationally shall use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with bait.
- C. When fishing 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 the applicable personal possession limit.
- G. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to transfer any striped bass to another person, while on the water or while fishing from a pier or shore.
- Where
- Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (fall) (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length. C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length.
- Bag limit
- D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
- Season
- A. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries fall striped bass recreational fishery shall be October 4 through December 31, inclusive.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any striped bass by any gear or method other than hook-and-line, rod and reel, hand line, or spearing.
- B. Any person fishing recreationally shall use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with bait.
- C. When fishing 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 the applicable personal possession limit.
- G. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to transfer any striped bass to another person, while on the water or while fishing from a pier or shore.
- Where
- Potomac River tributaries (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length. C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length.
- Bag limit
- D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
- Season
- A. The open season for the Potomac River tributaries summer/fall striped bass recreational fishery shall correspond to the open summer/fall season as established by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission for the mainstem Potomac River and shall be May 16 through July 6 and August 21 through December 31.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any striped bass by any gear or method other than hook-and-line, rod and reel, hand line, or spearing.
- B. Any person fishing recreationally shall use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with bait.
- C. When fishing 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 the applicable personal possession limit.
- Where
- Coastal area (ocean)
- Size limit
- B. The minimum size limit shall be 28 inches total length. C. The maximum size limit shall be 31 inches total length.
- Bag limit
- D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person.
- Season
- A. The open seasons for the coastal area striped bass recreational fishery shall be January 1 through March 31 and May 16 through December 31, inclusive.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any striped bass by any gear or method other than hook-and-line, rod and reel, hand line, or spearing.
- B. Any person fishing recreationally shall use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with bait.
- C. When fishing 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 the applicable personal possession limit.
Commercial rules
Show 2 commercial rules
- Where
- Chesapeake Bay area (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- The minimum size limit shall be 18 inches total length during the periods of January 16 through December 31. The maximum size limit shall be 28 inches from March 15 through June 15.
- Bag limit
- The total allowable level of all commercial harvest of striped bass from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the Potomac River tributaries of Virginia for all open seasons and for all legal gear shall be 914,555 pounds of whole fish.
- Season
- In the Chesapeake Bay area, the open commercial season shall be from January 16 through December 31, inclusive.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the commercial fishery for striped bass without first having the necessary commercial fisherman's registration license and appropriate gear license as required by Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and the special permit to fish for striped bass established in 4VAC20-252-130 , except as provided in subsection G of 4VAC20-252-160.
- D. All striped bass in the possession of any person for the purpose of sale must be identified with a tamper-evident sealed tag that has been approved and issued by the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction of capture.
- The number of striped bass tags issued to each person will equal the estimated number of fish to be landed by that individual harvest quota, plus a number of striped bass tags equal to 10% of the total allotment determined for each person.
- Where
- Coastal area (ocean)
- Size limit
- The minimum size limit shall be 28 inches total length.
- Bag limit
- The total allowable level of all commercial harvest of striped bass from the coastal area for all open seasons and for all legal gear shall be 116,282 pounds of whole fish.
- Season
- In the coastal area, the open commercial season shall be January 16 through December 31, inclusive.
- A. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the commercial fishery for striped bass without first having the necessary commercial fisherman's registration license and appropriate gear license as required by Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia and the special permit to fish for striped bass established in 4VAC20-252-130 , except as provided in subsection G of 4VAC20-252-160.
- D. All striped bass in the possession of any person for the purpose of sale must be identified with a tamper-evident sealed tag that has been approved and issued by the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction of capture.
Quick answers
What is the striped bass size limit in Virginia?
B. The minimum size limit shall be 19 inches total length. C. The maximum size limit shall be 24 inches total length. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many striped bass can I keep in Virginia?
D. The daily possession limit shall be one fish per person. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is striped bass season in Virginia?
A. The open season for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries spring/summer striped bass recreational fishery shall be May 16 through June 15, inclusive.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Striped bass limits in other states →
More inshore in Virginia
All Virginia saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Most anglers need a Virginia saltwater license or registry: get one here.