Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) regulations in Virginia

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) has no size limit today, with No Virginia limit printed; federal (SAFMC / 50 CFR 622) rules apply.

Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Virginia marine waters	Open year-round	No Virginia size limit printed	No Virginia limit printed; federal (SAFMC / 50 CFR 622) rules apply

Notes

Virginia does not print its own dolphin rule. VMRC links to SAFMC (https://safmc.net/regulations/regulations-by-species/dolphin-fish/) and the federal rule at 50 CFR 622.
Check the SAFMC/NOAA dolphin page for the current size and bag limit before keeping fish.

Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording

Season: See federal rules
Size: See federal rules
Limit: See federal rules
Virginia marine waters — as printed: “DOLPHIN ... Info: SAFMC Dolphin Regulations; Federal Dolphin Regulations”

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

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About the dolphin

Species of fish

The mahi-mahi, common dolphinfish, dolphinfish, dolphin or dorado is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. It is one of two members of the family Coryphaenidae, the other being the pompano dolphinfish. These fish are most commonly found in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean. In Italy it is called corifena, lampuga or pesce capone, and has even given its name to the caponata though eggplant has now taken the place of the fish.

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 Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) in Virginia?

No Virginia size limit printed in Virginia state waters.

How many Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) can you keep per day in Virginia?

No Virginia limit printed; federal (SAFMC / 50 CFR 622) rules apply.

When is Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) season in Virginia?

Open year-round.

Is my Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) a keeper today?

Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) has no size limit today, with No Virginia limit printed; federal (SAFMC / 50 CFR 622) rules apply.