Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Spanish mackerelLateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots. Tell them apart
False albacoreStockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line. Tell them apartNot listed by Virginia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. More on the king mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
King mackerel in other states12 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for king mackerel in Virginia?
27 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many king mackerel can you keep in Virginia?
3 per person.
When is king mackerel season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
What is the Virginia record king mackerel?
63 lb 1 oz, Off Sandbridge (2007).
How current is this Virginia king mackerel 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.
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