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
AlewifeBigger eye, gray-green back, pale gut lining. Tell them apart
Atlantic herringNo shoulder spot. Tell them apartNot listed by Virginia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
The alewife's twin with a blue-black back and smaller eye; told apart for sure by the black gut lining. More on the blueback herring page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Blueback herring in other states14 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep blueback herring 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 blueback herring 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 a blueback herring in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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