Chain Pickerel regulations in Virginia

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Chain Pickerel has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 5.

Chain Pickerel size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Virginia inland waters (statewide; special waters differ)	Open year-round	None	5 per person per day

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' zones. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/creel-and-length-limits.pdf

Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: None
Limit: 5 per day
Inland waters — as printed: “Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel: 5 per day; No statewide length limits”

Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).

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About the chain pickerel

Species of freshwater fish

The chain pickerel, also known as Jackfish, Mud Pike, or Southern Pike is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family of order Esociformes. The chain pickerel and the American pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pike.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Virginia Marine Resources Commission, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Chain Pickerel in Virginia?

None in Virginia state waters.

How many Chain Pickerel can you keep per day in Virginia?

5 per person per day.

When is Chain Pickerel season in Virginia?

Open year-round.

Is my Chain Pickerel a keeper today?

Chain Pickerel has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 5.