Striped bass rules in Virginia
Size, bag and season for recreational striped bass in Virginia waters, as published by Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
- Size
- Coastal: 28"–31" (slot); Chesapeake Bay: 19"–24" (slot)
- Bag
- 1 fish per person
- Season
- Coastal: Jan 1–Mar 31 and May 16–Dec 31. Chesapeake Bay: spring May 16–Jun 15; fall Oct 4–Dec 31
Also on the agency page: Split by area: Coastal (Territorial Sea + seaside creeks/bays of Accomack, Northampton, Virginia Beach) vs Chesapeake Bay main stem and VA tributaries. Potomac River tributaries follow PRFC rules. Non-offset corrodible non-stainless circle hooks required when fishing bait. Gaffing prohibited. Possession limits may not be combined across seasons/jurisdictions. Federal waters (EEZ) closed to striped bass all year.
This rule has area, mode or permit conditions that do not fit in a summary. Read the agency page before you keep a fish.
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
Striped bass rules along the coast are built around a slot. A fish below the minimum or above the maximum goes back, so a measuring device on board is part of the rig.
State water or federal water
Virginia rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Possession of striped bass is prohibited in federal waters (the EEZ, beyond 3 nautical miles). Fishing for them there is also prohibited. Only state waters can be fished. 50 CFR Part 697 · eCFR ↗
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 | 28"–31" (slot); 20"–24" only Jul 1–Aug 31 in DE Bay, River and tributaries | 1 per day | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Maryland | Chesapeake Bay: 19"–24" (slot); Atlantic/Coastal Bays: 28"–31" (slot) | 1 fish per person per day | Openas of Oct 13 · Open in part from Dec 6 |
| Virginia | Coastal: 28"–31" (slot); Chesapeake Bay: 19"–24" (slot) | 1 fish per person | Openas of Oct 13 |
| North Carolina | 28"–31" total length (slot) — Atlantic Ocean | 1 fish per person per day — Atlantic Ocean | Openas of Oct 13 |
| South Carolina | 26" total length minimum | 3 per person per day (Oct 1–June 15) | Openas of Oct 13 |