SlotGaugeCheck a catchSwordfish regulations in Virginia
Highly migratory species · Saltwater · 2026 season
Swordfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic waters (NMFS HMS rules) | Open year-round | Set by NMFS | Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required |
Notes
- Virginia prints no state rule; swordfish are managed by NOAA Fisheries HMS (hmspermits.noaa.gov). A federal HMS angling permit is required.
Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording
- Season
- See federal rules
- Size
- See federal rules
- Limit
- See federal rules
- Atlantic waters (NMFS HMS rules) — as printed
- “SWORDFISH ... Info: Managed by NMFS - http://www.hmspermits.gov/”
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).
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About the swordfish
Fish which has a long, pointed bill
The swordfish, also known as the broadbill in some countries, are large, highly migratory predatory fish characterized by a long, flat, sword-like, pointed bill. They are the sole member of the family Xiphiidae. They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category. Swordfish are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood. These fish are found widely in tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and can typically be found from near the surface to a depth of 550 m (1,800 ft), and exceptionally up to depths of 2,878 m (9,442 ft). They commonly reach 3 m (10 ft) in length, and the maximum reported is 4.55 m in length and 650 kg (1,430 lb) in weight.
Read more about Swordfish 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 Swordfish in Virginia?
Set by NMFS in Virginia state waters.
How many Swordfish can you keep per day in Virginia?
Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.
When is Swordfish season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
Is my Swordfish a keeper today?
Swordfish has no size limit today, with Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.