SlotGaugeCheck a catchHybrid Striped Bass regulations in Virginia
· Freshwater · 2026 season
Hybrid Striped Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia inland waters (statewide) | Open year-round | 20 inch minimum | 4 per day, striped bass and hybrids combined |
| Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir incl. Staunton River to Leesville Dam and Dan River to Union St. Dam | Open year-round | 20–26 inch slot (October 1 – May 31) | Oct 1-May 31: 2 per day aggregate (20-26 inch slot); Jun 1-Sep 30: 4 per day aggregate, no length limit |
| Claytor Lake and tributaries | Open year-round | 20 inch minimum (September 16 – June 30) | Sep 16-Jun 30: 2 per day aggregate, 20 inch min; Jul 1-Sep 15: 4 per day aggregate, no length limit |
| Lake Gaston | Open year-round | 20 inch minimum (October 1 – May 31) | 4 per day aggregate |
| Smith Mountain Lake and tributaries incl. Roanoke River to Niagara Dam | Open year-round | under 30 inches (November 1 – May 31); 40 inch minimum (November 1 – May 31) | 2 per day aggregate |
Notes
- Hybrids share one 4-fish aggregate with landlocked striped bass statewide (20 inch minimum).
- Kerr, Claytor, Gaston and Smith Mountain Lake each have their own seasonal slot or minimum - check the zone for the lake you are on.
Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- No fish less than 20 inches
- Limit
- 4 per day in the aggregate (striped bass and hybrids combined)
- Virginia inland waters (statewide) — as printed
- “Striped Bass - Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids ... 4 per day in the aggregate No fish less than 20 inches”
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).
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About the hybrid striped bass
Hybrid fish
A hybrid striped bass, also commonly referred to by the portmanteau wiper, is a freshwater hybrid fish between white bass and striped bass. In the United States, wiper are raised in hatcheries and stocked extensively, particularly in lower midwest and southeastern reservoirs.
Read more about Hybrid striped bass on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Virginia Marine Resources Commission, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Hybrid Striped Bass in Virginia?
20 inch minimum in Virginia state waters.
How many Hybrid Striped Bass can you keep per day in Virginia?
4 per day, striped bass and hybrids combined.
When is Hybrid Striped Bass season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
Is my Hybrid Striped Bass a keeper today?
A hybrid striped bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 4.