SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Drum regulations in Virginia
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Drum size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia marine waters | Open year-round | 18–26 inch slot | 3 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
- Fish over 26 inches must be released.
Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- Minimum Size Limit: Min 18 IN. to Max 26 IN.
- Limit
- 3 per person
- statewide — as printed
- “RED DRUM (CHANNEL BASS, REDFISH) Minimum Size Limit: Min 18 IN. to Max 26 IN. Possession Limit: 3 per person”
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).
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About the red drum
Species of fish
The red drum, also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.
Read more about Red drum 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 Red Drum in Virginia?
18–26 inch slot in Virginia state waters.
How many Red Drum can you keep per day in Virginia?
3 per person per day.
When is Red Drum season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
Is my Red Drum a keeper today?
A red drum is a keeper today if it measures between 18 and 26 inches, with a daily limit of 3.