VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION SPANISH MACKEREL

2023 RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR Minimum Size Limit…………………………………………….…14 inches

VIRGINIA’S MARINE WATERS SIZE and POSSESSION LIMITS Possession Limit………………………..……………………15 per person
SPECKLED TROUT (SPOTTED SEATROUT)
May 2023 Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….14 inches
AMBERJACK Possession Limit …………………………....……………..…5 per person
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….32 inches Only one speckled trout of the 5-fish limit may be 24 inches or greater
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..2 per person STRIPED BASS (ROCKFISH, STRIPER)
AMERICAN EEL Regulations on seasons, size limits, possession limits, available on
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….. 9 inches separate regulation card or use the contact information below.
Possession Limit……………25 per person (50 for hire captain & mate)
STURGEON……………………………………………..Illegal to Possess
BLACK DRUM (DRUM, DRUMFISH)
SUMMER FLOUNDER (FLUKE)
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….16 inches
Minimum Size Limit……………………………….………...……16 inches
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..1 per person
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..4 per person
BLACK SEA BASS
TAUTOG
Season……….....................................May 15-July 6 and Aug 9-Dec 31
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….16 inches
Minimum Size Limit………………………………….……………13 inches
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..4 per person
Possession Limit………………………………….…….......15 per person
Season.………………………..…Jan 1-May 15 and July1-December 31
BLUEFISH* TILEFISH (NOAA permit required)
Possession Limit…….……3 per person (5 per person on for-hire trips) Blueline Tilefish—Season………..…….…….…...…May 1-October 31
COBIA …………………………………………...(no towing or gaffing) Possession Limit…………………3 fish per person on a recreational
Season……………..……………………………………June 15 – Sept 15 vessel; 5 fish per person on an uninspected for-hire vessel; 7 fish per
Minimum Size Limit…………40’’ but only 1 fish over 50” aboard vessel person on an inspected for-hire vessel
Possession Limit ……………………………..1 per person, 2 per vessel, Golden Tilefish…..…Open all year; Possession limit 8 fish per person
whichever is more restrictive SHARKS (Anglers shall use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when
Croaker and Spot* fishing for sharks)
Possession Limit……………………………………..50 fish each species Recreationally Prohibited Species – It is illegal to take or possess any shark from the
additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire vessels “Recreationally Prohibited Species” list, as defined in Regulation 4VAC20-490-20,
GREY TROUT (WEAKFISH) including but not limited to the following species commonly encountered in Virginia:
Atlantic Angel, Dusky, Sand Tiger, Sandbar, White, Bigeye Thresher and Mako Sharks.
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….12 inches
No size or possession limits apply to Dogfish Sharks, but all fins and head must remain
Possession Limit……………………………………………....1 per person attached.
GROUPER* Minimum Size Limit (exceptions below)……...…..54 inches fork length (FL)
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..1 per person All sharks must be landed with head and fins attached; hammerhead sharks must be 78
KING MACKEREL inches FL or greater; no minimum size applies to Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead,
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….27 inches Blacknose or Finetooth Sharks.
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..3 per person Possession Limit………………………..……..……..……………1 per vessel
RED DRUM (CHANNEL BASS, REDFISH) Possession limit for Atlantic Sharpnose and Bonnethead Sharks is 1 per person. A non-
boat assisted shore angler is entitled to a vessel possession limit
Minimum Size Limit……………………………………………….18 inches
Season Closed (Large Coastal Group)…………….………......May 15-July 15
Maximum Size Limit………………………………………………26 inches
(Includes Blacktip, Bull, Great Hammerhead, Lemon, Nurse, Scalloped
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..3 per person
Hammerhead, Smooth Hammerhead, Spinner, and Tiger Shark)
RIVER HERRING (ALEWIFE; BLUEBACK)…….…...illegal to Possess
Federal waters, beyond the Three Mile Limit governed by different
SCUP (PORGY)
regulations set by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.
Minimum Size Limit………………………………9 inches in state waters
Sharks may only be taken by handline or rod and reel; No spearing or bow fishing.
Possession Limit………………………..,…30 per person in state waters ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
SHAD (AMERICAN SHAD)…………….……..…….…Illegal to Possess Saltwater Fishing License – Individual license required in the Chesapeake
SHEEPSHEAD* Bay and its tributary rivers and in all seaside and coastal ocean waters out to
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..4 per person the Three Mile Limit Line, unless fishing on a licensed pier, licensed charter or
SPADEFISH* headboat, or licensed private boat; or unless specifically exempted. For an
FIP number, register at: www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP.
Possession Limit………………………..……………………..4 per person
Measurements – Size limits are in total length; fish must be measured from
*No size limit for bluefish, croaker, grouper, sheepshead, the most forward projection of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the tip of the
spadefish and spot longer lobe of the tail fin, with the tail compressed along the midline, using a
Dates are inclusive where a season is specified straight-line measure, not over the curve of the body.
All regulations are subject to change. It is the angler’s Snagging – Illegal to snag, or attempt to snag, any finfish.
responsibility to know and abide by all current VMRC website: www.mrc.virginia.gov
regulations and laws. Check for new regulations Information may also be obtained from the Virginia Marine Resources
before you go fishing. www.mrc.virginia.gov Commission (757) 247-2200 or the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament (757)
491-5160, located at 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, VA 23651