SlotGaugeCheck a catchStriped Bass regulations in Virginia
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Striped Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia coastal waters (ocean side) | January 1 – March 31, May 16 – December 31 | 28–31 inch slot | 1 per person per day |
| Chesapeake Bay and tributaries | May 16 – June 15, October 4 – December 31 | 19–24 inch slot | 1 per person per day |
| Federal waters (beyond 3 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
| Virginia inland waters (landlocked) | Open year-round | 20 inch minimum | 4 striped bass + hybrids combined |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' zones (inland) and zones (Chowan drainage) and zones (anadromous above fall line) and aliases. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/creel-and-length-limits.pdf
- Circle hooks (non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless) required when fishing with bait.
- Gaffing striped bass is illegal in Virginia marine waters.
- Potomac River tributaries follow Potomac River Fisheries Commission rules.
- Possession limits cannot be combined across overlapping seasons or jurisdictions.
- Inland (DWR) waters: no fish under 20 inches, 4 per day; Smith Mountain Lake and others differ.
Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording
- Season
- January 1 through March 31; May 16 through December 31
- Size
- Minimum Size Limit: 28 inches; Maximum Size Limit: 31 inches
- Limit
- 1 per person
- Coastal — as printed
- “STRIPED BASS (ROCKFISH, STRIPED) Virginia Coastal Seasons January 1 through March 31 May 16 through December 31 Minimum Size Limit: 28 inches Maximum Size Limit: 31 inches Possession Limit: 1 per person”
- Chesapeake Bay — as printed
- “Chesapeake Bay Spring Season Season: May 16 through June 15 Minimum Size Limit: 19 inches Maximum Size Limit: 24 inches Possession Limit: 1 per person / Chesapeake Bay Fall Season Season: October 4 through December 31 Minimum Size Limit: 19 inches Maximum Size Limit: 24 inches Possession Limit: 1 per person”
- Federal waters — as printed
- “Federal water striped bass regulations: Atlantic Ocean waters beyond the 3 mile limit are closed to the taking and possession of striped bass all year.”
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).
Check your striped bass in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's Virginia rules.
Open SlotGauge for Striped BassMore
About the striped bass
Species of fish
The striped bass, also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also been widely introduced into inland recreational fisheries across the United States. Striped bass found in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate strain referred to as Gulf Coast striped bass.
Read more about 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 Striped Bass in Virginia?
28–31 inch slot in Virginia state waters.
How many Striped Bass can you keep per day in Virginia?
1 per person per day.
When is Striped Bass season in Virginia?
January 1 – March 31, May 16 – December 31.
Is my Striped Bass a keeper today?
A striped bass is a keeper today if it measures between 28 and 31 inches, with a daily limit of 1.