Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-roundOpen today
Recreationally permitted but excluded from the one-shark possession limit; no size limit.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Small gray shark with flat pavement teeth — it gums, not bites. More on the smooth dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in Virginia?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in Virginia?
No bag limit.
When is smooth dogfish season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
How current is this Virginia smooth dogfish 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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