Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Chesapeake Bay (dominant) shown; coastal slot 28-31 in is open Jan 1 - Mar 31 and May 16 - Dec 31 (open today); EEZ harvest prohibited; circle hooks required with bait; gaffing illegal.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
No recreational fishing for striped bass in any federal waters (EEZ) coastwide; transit with legally caught fish allowed only in the Block Island Transit Zone.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
7–8 unbroken dark stripes on silver; two separated dorsal fins. More on the striped bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for striped bass in Virginia?
19-24 in slot (Chesapeake Bay). Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many striped bass can you keep in Virginia?
1 per person.
When is striped bass season in Virginia?
Bay: May 16 - Jun 15 and Oct 4 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is closed.
What is the Virginia record striped bass?
74 lb, Off Virginia Beach (2012).
How current is this Virginia striped bass 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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