20 2019 VIRGINIA FRESHWATER FISHING & BOATING WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV

CREEL (HARVEST)AND LENGTH LIMITSThe tables that follow give statewide creel (harvest) and length limits for major sport fish and excep-tions for major rivers and lakes. Regulations for many smaller lakes and boat access areas are posted on site, and posted regulations are in effect (see “OTHER USES” under Department-owned Lakes, Ponds, Streams or Boat Access Sites, page 14). For smaller lakes, information can be found online at: www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing. Creel limits are per person per day. Changes for 2019 are in red.

CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS CREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS

Bass

Largemouth, Smallmouth, SpottedLAKES

No smallmouth less than 14 inches;

RIVERS-

per day longer than 20 inches

-

How to Measure a Fish

Total Length

21WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV 2019 VIRGINIA FRESHWATER FISHING & BOATING

CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS CREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS

Striped Bass

Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids-

20 inches

September 16–June 30: 2 per day in the

less than 20 inchesJuly 1–September 15: 4 per day in the aggregate; no length limit

Anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay

-

Striped bass in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back Bay

Walleye, Saugeye

Sauger

White Bass

release only)

10 per day; no white bass less than 14 inches

Chain Pickerel

Northern Pike

22 2019 VIRGINIA FRESHWATER FISHING & BOATING WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV

CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS CREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS

Muskellunge

-

Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye)

and Roanoke Bass

Crappie (black or white)

No crappie less than 9 inches

No crappie less than 9 inches

Rock Bass (redeye)

in the aggregate with

Smith rivers and their tributaries

Roanoke Bass

Smith rivers and their tributaries

Perch (yellow and white)

Trout

CREEL (HARVEST)AND LENGTH LIMITS

23WWW.DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV 2019 VIRGINIA FRESHWATER FISHING & BOATING

CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS CREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS

Catfish

Channel, White and Flathead

Blue

per day longer than 32 inches

-

Yellow, brown, black, flat, and snail bullhead

All Catfish

Hickory Shad

Above and below the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay

Creel and length limits shall be the same -

Meherrin River below Emporia Dam, Nottoway River, Blackwater River, (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers, and their tributaries plus Back Bay

10 per day

American Shad

Anadromous (coastal) Alewife and Blueback Herring

Above and below the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and their tributaries

-

Meherrin River, Nottoway River, Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries, plus Back Bay

Other native or naturalized nongame fish

Threatened and endangered species

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CREEL (HARVEST)AND LENGTH LIMITS

CREEL AND LENGTH LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC EXCEPTIONS CREEL OR LENGTH LIMITS FOR EXCEPTIONS

Grass Carp

Northern Snakehead-

Non-native (Exotic) FishSee pages 25–26

Longnose Gar

Bowfin

American Eel-

Saltwater Marine SpeciesSee Virginia Marine Resources website: www.mrc.virginia.gov