Freshwater Fishing Regulations | VDGIF

Here are some of the changes

Creel (Harvest) and Length Limits

  • There are new largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass length and creel limits on Claytor Lake as well as new length and creel limits for striped bass and striped bass X white bass hybrids.
  • A new trophy fish regulation has been established for small mouth bass on the Levisa Fork River in Buchanan County.
  • New length limits for crappie on Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir, Briery Creek and Sandy River reservoirs.
  • Creel and length limit changes for striped bass.
  • There are new creel and length limit changes for white bass on Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir.
  • There are new creel and length limits for blue catfish on Lake Gaston.
  • Rock bass and Roanoke bass regulations have been revised statewide for simplification purposes and to protect rare Roanoke bass populations.
  • Moratorium on possession of American shad. Anglers on the Meherrin River below Emporia Dam, Nottaway River, Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back Bay are no longer allowed to harvest American shad. Possession of American shad while on public waters is prohibited statewide.