Striped Bass (also known as Striper, Rockfish, Linesider) in Virginia. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit, slot rule — verified against the VMRC guide, 2026.
In Virginia, the minimum legal size for Striped Bass is 28 in and the daily bag limit is 1 per person. A slot limit applies: Atlantic coastal harvest slot 28–31 in. (Chesapeake Bay uses a separate 19–24 in slot — see notes.). Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Virginia rules before keeping fish.
Atlantic coastal harvest slot 28–31 in. (Chesapeake Bay uses a separate 19–24 in slot — see notes.)
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Virginia rules before keeping fish.
Two distinct regimes within the state: Atlantic coastal (28-31 in slot) vs Chesapeake Bay (19-24 in slot), with separate Bay spring and fall seasons. STATE WATERS. The coastal slot (28-31 in) applies in the Atlantic Ocean (Virginia territorial sea, out to 3 mi); the Bay slot (19-24 in) applies in Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Striped bass harvest is PROHIBITED in the federal EEZ (beyond 3 mi).
These limits are pulled from the VMRC recreational saltwater fishing regulations. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Virginia Marine Resources Commission updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Virginia requires a saltwater fishing licence for anglers aged 16–64 in tidal waters; unlicensed anglers aged 16+ must instead register free with the Fisherman Identification Program (FIP). Virginia saltwater licences.
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