What Fish Is In Season Right Now In Virginia- Virginia is a popular destination for anglers, offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities throughout the year. With its extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, numerous lakes, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, there’s always something to catch, no matter the season. The state’s fishing regulations are designed to ensure sustainability and protect fish populations, so it’s essential for anglers to be aware of which species are in season at different times of the year.
This guide will explore the fish species in season in Virginia right now, covering various habitats and fishing styles, including saltwater, freshwater, and brackish water environments. Additionally, we will discuss fishing regulations, popular locations, and tips for targeting seasonal species.
Saltwater Fishing: Fall and Winter Species
Virginia’s coastal waters are teeming with fish year-round, but certain species become more active and accessible during the fall and winter months. As temperatures drop, fish in saltwater environments, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach, begin their seasonal migrations, making this a prime time for anglers.
Striped Bass (Rockfish)
One of the most sought-after fish in Virginia’s saltwater environment during the fall and winter is the striped bass, also known as rockfish. Striped bass migrate into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as the water cools, offering excellent fishing opportunities.
- Season: Fall and winter are peak times for striped bass fishing, particularly from October through December.
- Size and Limit: The Chesapeake Bay fall season typically allows anglers to keep one or two striped bass per day, with specific size limits depending on the region. Check the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) for exact regulations, as they can change year-to-year.
- Fishing Tips: Stripers are attracted to live bait such as eels or bunker (menhaden), as well as artificial lures like topwater plugs, soft plastics, and bucktails. Focus on fishing areas with strong tidal flows, underwater structures, and drop-offs for the best results.
Tautog
Tautog is another species that becomes more active in Virginia waters as the weather cools. These bottom-dwelling fish are known for their strength and ability to fight once hooked, making them a favorite among experienced anglers.
- Season: The best months for tautog fishing are November through March.
- Size and Limit: In Virginia, the minimum size limit for tautog is typically around 16 inches, with a daily creel limit of 4 fish per person during the open season. Always check the latest regulations before heading out.
- Fishing Tips: Tautog are often found near rocky areas, wrecks, and reefs. Using crabs (such as green or fiddler crabs) as bait is particularly effective, and it’s best to fish close to structures where tautog like to hide.
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout, also known as spotted sea trout, remain active in Virginia’s coastal waters during the fall and early winter. These fish are prized for their delicate taste and are often targeted by both recreational and commercial anglers.
- Season: Speckled trout fishing peaks from late fall through early winter, particularly in October and November.
- Size and Limit: Virginia typically enforces a minimum size limit of 14 inches, with a daily bag limit of 5 fish per angler. Make sure to verify current regulations.
- Fishing Tips: Speckled trout can be found in shallow waters, especially near grass flats, oyster beds, and marshy areas. Soft plastic baits that mimic shrimp or small fish work well, as do topwater lures in the early morning or late evening.
Red Drum (Puppy Drum)
While red drum fishing is more associated with the summer months, smaller red drum (known as puppy drum) are still active in Virginia waters during the fall and early winter.
- Season: Fall and early winter, especially from September to November.
- Size and Limit: Red drum in Virginia are regulated by a slot limit, meaning fish must be within a certain size range (usually 18 to 26 inches) to be kept. The daily creel limit is typically three fish per angler.
- Fishing Tips: Puppy drum can be found in shallow water along shorelines, marshes, and around piers. Natural baits like shrimp or cut mullet are effective, as well as artificial lures like jigs and swimbaits.
Freshwater Fishing: Targeting Fall and Winter Species
Virginia’s freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams provide excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year, and the cooler months are no exception. Several freshwater species remain active during fall and winter, offering exciting angling prospects for those willing to brave the chill.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass is one of the most popular freshwater fish species in Virginia, and while many anglers associate bass fishing with spring and summer, the cooler months can still offer productive fishing.
- Season: Largemouth bass can be caught year-round in Virginia, though the cooler months require a change in tactics. Fall is particularly good, as bass feed heavily in preparation for winter.
- Size and Limit: The general statewide limit for largemouth bass is five fish per day, with size limits varying by body of water. Some lakes may have catch-and-release regulations during certain times of the year.
- Fishing Tips: During fall, largemouth bass are often found near drop-offs, weed edges, and submerged structures. Slower presentations, such as jerkbaits, jigs, or soft plastics, tend to work well as bass become less aggressive in colder water.
Crappie
Crappie are a popular target for anglers in Virginia during the fall and winter. These panfish are known for their schooling behavior, making them relatively easy to locate once you find the right spot.
- Season: Crappie fishing is excellent from late fall through early winter, particularly in lakes and reservoirs.
- Size and Limit: In most of Virginia, the daily limit for crappie is 25 fish, with a minimum size of 9 inches. Always check local regulations, as some bodies of water have different rules.
- Fishing Tips: Crappie often congregate around submerged structures, such as brush piles, docks, or bridge pilings. Small jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastic grubs are effective baits, and vertical jigging or slow trolling can help you cover more water.
Walleye
Walleye fishing in Virginia is typically best during the cooler months, as these fish become more active in the fall and winter. Known for their excellent taste, walleye are a prized catch for many anglers.
- Season: Walleye fishing is particularly good from late fall through early spring.
- Size and Limit: In most of Virginia’s lakes, walleye have a minimum size limit of 18 inches, with a daily limit of 2 to 5 fish, depending on the location.
- Fishing Tips: Walleye prefer deeper, cooler water, especially during the day. Try using jigs tipped with live bait, such as nightcrawlers or minnows, or troll with crankbaits along drop-offs and ledges.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are another popular freshwater species in Virginia, particularly in rivers like the James, Shenandoah, and New River. These fish remain active throughout the fall and early winter, offering great fishing opportunities for anglers willing to put in the time.
- Season: Smallmouth bass can be caught year-round, but the cooler months are often productive as the fish feed before winter.
- Size and Limit: The statewide limit for smallmouth bass is generally five fish per day, with a minimum size of 12 inches. Some rivers have special regulations, so check before fishing.
- Fishing Tips: Smallmouth bass can be found near rocky areas, ledges, and deep pools. Use jerkbaits, crankbaits, or jigs to mimic the baitfish that smallmouths feed on during the cooler months.
Brackish Water Fishing: Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Rivers
Virginia’s unique brackish water environments, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay and tidal rivers, provide some of the most diverse fishing opportunities in the state. Brackish water, a mixture of saltwater and freshwater, supports a wide range of species, many of which are highly active during the fall and winter months.
Bluefish
Bluefish are known for their aggressive behavior and strong fight, making them a favorite among anglers. These fish are commonly found in the Chesapeake Bay and near the mouths of Virginia’s tidal rivers during the fall.
- Season: Bluefish are most active in the fall, particularly from September through November.
- Size and Limit: Virginia’s bluefish regulations typically include a daily bag limit of 3 fish per person, with a minimum size of 12 inches.
- Fishing Tips: Bluefish are voracious predators and can be caught using a variety of lures, including topwater plugs, metal spoons, and soft plastics. Focus on areas with strong currents and baitfish activity, as bluefish often chase schools of smaller fish.
Croaker
Atlantic croaker are a common catch in Virginia’s tidal waters during the fall. These bottom-dwelling fish are relatively easy to catch and are a favorite for family outings due to their abundance and willingness to bite.
- Season: Croaker fishing peaks from late summer into the fall, typically from August to October.
- Size and Limit: Virginia’s regulations generally do not impose size or creel limits on croaker, but always check for updates to local rules.
- Fishing Tips: Croaker are typically caught using bottom rigs baited with cut bait, squid, or bloodworms. Focus on fishing areas with sandy or muddy bottoms, as croaker tend to feed on crustace
ans and other small invertebrates.
Spot
Spot, another bottom-dwelling species, are plentiful in the fall, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. These fish are small but provide excellent table fare and are fun to catch for anglers of all skill levels.
- Season: Spot fishing is best from late summer into early fall, peaking in September and October.
- Size and Limit: Spot are usually not subject to size or bag limits in Virginia, but it’s always wise to check current regulations.
- Fishing Tips: Similar to croaker, spot can be caught using bottom rigs with cut bait, bloodworms, or shrimp. Look for them in shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, especially near piers, jetties, and grassy areas.
Catfish
Virginia’s tidal rivers, such as the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac, are home to various species of catfish, including blue, channel, and flathead catfish. These fish remain active throughout the year and are particularly abundant in brackish water environments.
- Season: Catfish can be caught year-round, but the fall and winter months are particularly good as water temperatures cool.
- Size and Limit: Regulations for catfish vary by species and river, but in general, blue catfish have a daily bag limit of 20 fish per person, with only one fish allowed over 32 inches.
- Fishing Tips: Catfish are bottom feeders, and natural baits such as cut bait, chicken livers, or nightcrawlers work well. Look for deep holes, ledges, and areas with slower currents when targeting catfish.
Ice Fishing in Virginia: What to Expect in Winter
While Virginia is not traditionally known for ice fishing due to its relatively mild winters, certain high-altitude lakes in the western part of the state occasionally freeze over enough to allow for this unique fishing experience. Ice fishing can be a great way to extend your angling season and target species that remain active during the coldest months of the year.
Trout
In Virginia’s higher-elevation lakes, such as those in the Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains, ice fishing for trout is possible when conditions allow. Rainbow, brook, and brown trout can be caught through the ice, offering a winter fishing challenge.
- Season: Ice fishing for trout is possible during the coldest months of the year, typically from December through February, depending on ice conditions.
- Size and Limit: Trout fishing regulations vary by body of water, but the general statewide limit is 6 fish per day, with no more than 2 fish over 16 inches.
- Fishing Tips: When ice fishing for trout, small jigs tipped with live bait, such as mealworms or waxworms, are effective. Drilling multiple holes and frequently moving to find active fish is key to success.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch are another species that can be targeted through the ice in Virginia’s higher-altitude lakes. These fish are known for their schooling behavior and can provide steady action during the winter months.
- Season: Yellow perch fishing is possible during the winter, especially in lakes that freeze over sufficiently for ice fishing.
- Size and Limit: Virginia’s yellow perch regulations typically include a daily limit of 10 fish per angler, with no minimum size limit.
- Fishing Tips: Yellow perch are often found near the bottom in deeper water during the winter months. Small jigs tipped with minnows or worms are effective, and vertical jigging is a popular technique for targeting these fish through the ice.
Virginia’s Fishing Regulations: What Anglers Need to Know
Understanding Virginia’s fishing regulations is crucial for any angler looking to fish legally and sustainably. These rules are designed to protect fish populations and ensure that fishing remains a viable activity for generations to come.
Licensing Requirements
In Virginia, a fishing license is required for all anglers over the age of 16. There are different types of licenses depending on the type of fishing you plan to do:
- Freshwater License: Required for fishing in lakes, rivers, and streams.
- Saltwater License: Required for fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, and other tidal waters.
- Combination License: This allows you to fish in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Licenses can be purchased online through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) website or at authorized retailers throughout the state.
Size and Bag Limits
Size and bag limits are established to protect fish populations and ensure that anglers do not overharvest. These limits vary by species and body of water, so it’s important to review the regulations for your specific fishing location.
- Size Limits: Size limits are designed to protect juvenile fish and allow them to reach maturity before being harvested. Some species, like striped bass and red drum, have slot limits that specify a size range in which fish can be kept.
- Bag Limits: Bag limits restrict the number of fish that can be kept per day, helping to prevent overfishing. These limits vary by species and region.
Seasonal Restrictions
Virginia also enforces seasonal restrictions for certain fish species to protect them during spawning periods or times of migration. For example, there are closed seasons for striped bass and other species to allow them to reproduce without pressure from anglers.
Catch-and-Release Regulations
For species that are managed under catch-and-release regulations, it’s important to practice proper fish handling techniques to minimize stress and injury to the fish. Use circle hooks when fishing with live bait, avoid handling fish with dry hands, and release them quickly to increase their chances of survival.
Invasive Species Control
Virginia is home to several invasive species, such as blue catfish and northern snakehead, which can disrupt local ecosystems. Anglers are encouraged to harvest these species whenever possible and report any catches of invasive species to the Virginia DWR.
Conclusion
Fishing in Virginia offers a diverse and rewarding experience, with species available year-round in various environments. From the bustling Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the serene freshwater lakes and rivers, there’s always something biting, whether you’re fishing for saltwater giants or freshwater favorites.
Understanding what fish are in season and the best techniques for targeting them can enhance your fishing success while ensuring that you’re fishing responsibly. Always stay updated on the latest regulations, including size limits, bag limits, and seasonal restrictions, to protect Virginia’s valuable fish populations.
With the right knowledge, preparation, and gear, you’ll be well-equipped for a successful day on the water, no matter what time of year you choose to fish in Virginia.
