Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed May 15 - Jul 15.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Two nearly equal dorsals, yellow-brown cast. More on the lemon shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for lemon shark in Virginia?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many lemon shark can you keep in Virginia?
1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is lemon shark season in Virginia?
Open year-round except May 15 - Jul 15. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Virginia record lemon shark?
312 lb 12 oz, Off Sandbridge (1976).
How current is this Virginia lemon shark 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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