Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
River herring moratorium; illegal to possess in Virginia tidal waters.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blueback herringBlue-black back, smaller eye — in hand, its gut lining is black. Tell them apart
Atlantic herringNo shoulder spot. Tell them apartNot listed by Virginia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
American shadMuch larger, spot row. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
River herring with an eye WIDER than its snout is long; gray-green back, single shoulder spot, sawtooth belly keel. More on the alewife page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Alewife in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep alewife in Virginia?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Virginia. Release it in the water where you can. River herring moratorium; illegal to possess in Virginia tidal waters.
How current is this Virginia alewife rule?
Source: VMRC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an alewife in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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