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Golden Tilefish regulations in Virginia

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Golden Tilefish
Is it a keeper? Golden Tilefish has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 8.

Golden Tilefish size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
Virginia marine watersOpen year-roundNo size limit8 per person per day

Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording

Season
Open year-round
Size
Minimum Size Limit: None
Limit
8 Golden Tilefish per person
statewide — as printed
“TILEFISH, GOLDEN Minimum Size Limit: None Possession Limit: 8 Golden Tilefish per person”

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

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About the golden tilefish

Great northern tilefish

Species of fish

The great northern tilefish or golden tile, is the largest species in the family Malacanthidae (tilefishes). It grows to a length of between 38 and 44 inches. The great northern tilefish is a slow-growing and long-lived species that has four stages of life. After hatching from eggs, the larvae are found in plankton. As they grow into juveniles, the individuals seek shelter until finding or making their own burrows. As adults, the tilefish continue to expand their burrows in the sediment throughout their lives. The diet of the larvae is unknown, but presumed to consist of zooplankton; juveniles and adults feed upon various benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, and fish. After reaching sexual maturity between 5 and 7 years of age, females lay eggs throughout the mating season for the male to fertilize, with each female laying an average of 2.3 million eggs.

Read more about Great northern tilefish on Wikipedia →

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

All 75 Virginia species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Golden Tilefish in Virginia?

No size limit in Virginia state waters.

How many Golden Tilefish can you keep per day in Virginia?

8 per person per day.

When is Golden Tilefish season in Virginia?

Open year-round.

Is my Golden Tilefish a keeper today?

Golden Tilefish has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 8.