Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Virginia lists none of its own
Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Gear required HMS tunas
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-09-22
Often mistaken for
Blackfin tunaSmaller, dusky fins, bronze lateral wash. Tell them apartNot listed by Virginia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Bigeye tunaBigger eye, stockier; hard to call — when in doubt, measure and check. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Long yellow second dorsal and anal fins that grow with age; yellow lateral stripe. More on the yellowfin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask6
What is the size limit for yellowfin tuna in Virginia?
27 in curved fork length min. Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many yellowfin tuna can you keep in Virginia?
3 per person per day; no more than 3 per person on board regardless of trip length.
When is yellowfin tuna season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
What gear is required for yellowfin tuna in Virginia?
HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters. Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
What is the Virginia record yellowfin tuna?
203 lb 12 oz, Norfolk Canyon (1981).
How current is this Virginia yellowfin tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025, last checked Sep 22, 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 yellowfin tuna in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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