Spotted seatrout rules in Virginia
Size, bag and season for recreational spotted seatrout in Virginia waters, as published by Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
- Size
- 14" minimum
- Bag
- 5 per person, only 1 may exceed 24"
- Season
- Open except closed Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026
Also on the agency page: Listed as Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout).
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
Seatrout rules often combine a slot or minimum with a one-fish allowance over a set length. A hard winter cold snap can bring an emergency closure with little notice.
State water or federal water
Virginia rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Spotted seatrout are managed by the states through ASMFC. The fishery is almost entirely in estuaries and nearshore state waters. ASMFC · spotted seatrout ↗
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 | 12" minimum | No daily limit | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Maryland | 14" minimum | 4 per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Virginia | 14" minimum | 5 per person, only 1 may exceed 24" | Openas of Oct 13 |
| North Carolina | 14"–20" total length slot; may keep one fish over 26" | 3 per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| South Carolina | 14" total length minimum | 10 per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 |