Bluefish rules in Virginia
Size, bag and season for recreational bluefish in Virginia waters, as published by Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
- Size
- No minimum size
- Bag
- 5 per person (shore, rented/private vessel, and for-hire/charter)
- Season
- No closed season listed
Also on the agency page: Virginia tidal waters; size limits are total length. Page lists no closed season for this species (seasons shown only where specified).
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 10, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
What to know before you keep one
Bluefish rules are mostly about the bag limit, and a state can set a different bag for for-hire customers than for private anglers.
State water or federal water
Virginia rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Bluefish are jointly managed by ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Federal recreational measures apply in federal waters. NOAA Fisheries · bluefish ↗
Across the state line
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | No minimum size | 5 (private vessel or shore); 7 (charter boat or headboat) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Maryland | 8" minimum | Shore or private boat: 5 per person; for-hire boat: 7 per person | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Virginia | No minimum size | 5 per person (shore, rented/private vessel, and for-hire/charter) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| North Carolina | No minimum size (DMF page lists 'None') | 5 per person per day (private); 7 per person per day on for-hire vessels | Openas of Oct 13 |
| South Carolina | No size limit listed | 5 per person per day (7 per person in the for-hire fishery) | Openas of Oct 13 |