King Mackerel regulations in Virginia

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A king mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 27 inches, with a daily limit of 3.

King Mackerel size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Virginia marine waters	Open year-round	27 inch minimum	3 per person per day

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' aliases. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/reports/swrecfishingrules.php

Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: Minimum Size Limit: 27 IN.
Limit: 3 per person
statewide — as printed: “KING MACKEREL Minimum Size Limit: 27 IN. Possession Limit: 3 per person”

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

Check your king mackerel in seconds

Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's Virginia rules.

Open SlotGauge for King Mackerel

Alewife Amberjack American Eel Black Drum Black Sea Bass Blueback Herring Bluefish Cobia

About the king mackerel

Species of fish

The king mackerel, kingfish or carite lucio is a migratory species of mackerel of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It is an important species to both the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

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 King Mackerel in Virginia?

27 inch minimum in Virginia state waters.

How many King Mackerel can you keep per day in Virginia?

3 per person per day.

When is King Mackerel season in Virginia?

Open year-round.

Is my King Mackerel a keeper today?

A king mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 27 inches, with a daily limit of 3.