Chapter 320. Fish: Fishing Generally
4VAC15-320-10. Continuous open season for all species except anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by sections appearing in this chapter, there shall be a continuous open season for fishing to take all species of fish except anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay, where the open season shall be that set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for tidal waters.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 1; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997.
4VAC15-320-20. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 2, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003.
4VAC15-320-25. Creel and length limits.
The creel limits (including live possession) and the length limits for the various species of fish shall be as follows, unless otherwise excepted by posted rules at department-owned or department-controlled waters (see 4VAC15-320-100 D).
Type of fish | Subtype or location | Creel and length limits | Geographic exceptions | Creel or length limits for exceptions |
largemouth bass, smallmouth bass | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) No statewide length limits | Lakes | ||
Briery Creek Lake | No largemouth or smallmouth bass 16 to 24 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass per day in the aggregate longer than 24 inches | |||
Buggs Island (Kerr) | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate less than 14 inches | |||
Claytor Lake | No smallmouth bass less than 14 inches | |||
Flannagan Reservoir | No smallmouth bass less than 15 inches No largemouth bass less than 12 inches | |||
Lake Gaston | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate less than 14 inches | |||
Leesville Reservoir | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate less than 14 inches | |||
Lake Moomaw | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 12 inches | |||
Philpott Reservoir | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 12 inches | |||
Quantico Marine Base waters | No largemouth or smallmouth bass 12 to 15 inches | |||
Smith Mountain Lake and its tributaries below Niagara Dam | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate less than 14 inches | |||
Rivers | ||||
Clinch River – within the boundaries of Scott, Wise, Russell, or Tazewell Counties | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate per day longer than 20 inches | |||
Levisa Fork River – within the boundaries Buchanan County | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate per day longer than 20 inches | |||
Dan River and tributaries downstream from the Union Street Dam, Danville | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14 inches | |||
James River – Confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers (Botetourt County) downstream to the 14th Street Bridge in Richmond | No largemouth or smallmouth bass 14 to 22 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate per day longer than 22 inches | |||
New River – Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to the VA - WV state line and its tributaries Little River downstream from Little River Dam in Montgomery County, Big Walker Creek from the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge downstream to the New River, and Wolf Creek from the Narrows Dam downstream to the New River in Giles County (This does not include Claytor Lake, which is delineated as: The upper end of the island at Allisonia downstream to the dam) | No largemouth or smallmouth bass 14 to 22 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate per day longer than 22 inches | |||
North Fork Holston River - Rt. 91 bridge upstream of Saltville, VA downstream to the VA - TN state line | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate per day longer than 20 inches | |||
Potomac River - Virginia tidal tributaries above Rt. 301 bridge | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 15 inches from March 1 through June 15 | |||
Roanoke (Staunton) River - and its tributaries below Difficult Creek, Charlotte County | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate less than 14 inches | |||
Shenandoah River, South Fork Shenandoah River, North Fork Shenandoah River | No largemouth or smallmouth bass 11 to 14 inches | |||
Staunton River - | ||||
Leesville Dam (Campbell County) downstream to the mouth of Difficult Creek, Charlotte County | No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20 inches; only 1 largemouth or smallmouth bass in the aggregate per day longer than 20 inches | |||
Alabama bass, spotted bass | No statewide daily limit No statewide length limit | |||
striped bass | landlocked striped bass and landlocked striped bass - white bass hybrids | 4 per day in the aggregate No fish less than 20 inches | Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoir, including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Leesville Dam and the Dan River and its tributaries to Union Street Dam (Danville) | October 1 - May 31: 2 per day in the aggregate; no striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inches or greater than 26 inches June 1 - September 30: 4 per day in the aggregate; no length limit |
Claytor Lake and its tributaries | September 16 – June 30: 2 per day in the aggregate; no striped bass or hybrid bass less than 20 inches July 1 – September 15: 4 per day in the aggregate; | |||
Smith Mountain Lake and its tributaries, including the Roanoke River upstream to Niagara Dam | 2 per day in the aggregate November 1 - May 31: No striped bass 30 to 40 inches June 1 - October 31: No length limit | |||
Lake Gaston | 4 per day in the aggregate October 1 - May 31: No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inches June 1 - September 30: No length limit | |||
anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay | Creel and length limits shall be set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal waters | |||
anadromous (coastal) in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest Rivers and their tributaries plus Back Bay | 2 per day No striped bass less than 18 inches | |||
white bass | 5 per day No statewide length limits | Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoir, including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Leesville Dam and the Dan River and its tributaries to Union Street Dam (Danville) | 10 per day; no white bass less than 14 inches | |
Lake Gaston | 10 per day; no white bass less than 14 inches | |||
walleye, saugeye | 5 per day in the aggregate No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches | Claytor Lake and the New River upstream of Claytor Lake Dam to Fries Dam in Grayson County | 2 walleye per day; no walleye 19 to 28 inches | |
sauger | 2 per day No statewide length limits | |||
yellow perch | No statewide daily limit No statewide length limits | Lake Moomaw | 10 per day | |
Below the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay | No yellow perch less than 9 inches; no daily limit | |||
chain pickerel | 5 per day No statewide length limits | Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoirs | No daily limit | |
northern pike | 2 per day No pike less than 20 inches | |||
muskellunge | 2 per day No muskellunge less than 30 inches | New River - Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to Claytor Dam, including Claytor Lake | 1 per day; no muskellunge less than 42 inches | |
New River - Claytor Dam downstream to the VA - WV state line | 1 per day June 1 - last day of February: No muskellunge 40 to 48 inches March 1 - May 31: No muskellunge less than 48 inches | |||
bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding crappie, rock bass (redeye) and Roanoke bass | 50 per day in the aggregate No statewide length limits | Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoirs, including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County and that portion of the New River from the VA - NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little Rivers in Grayson County | No daily limit | |
crappie (black or white) | 25 per day in the aggregate No statewide length limits | Lake Gaston and that portion of the New River from the VA - NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little Rivers in Grayson County | No daily limit | |
Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoir, including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County | No crappie less than 9 inches | |||
Briery Creek and Sandy River Reservoirs | No crappie less than 9 inches | |||
Flannagan and South Holston Reservoirs | No crappie less than 10 inches | |||
rock bass (redeye) | 25 per day; in the aggregate with Roanoke bass No statewide length limits | Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr) Reservoirs and that portion of the New River from the VA - NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little Rivers in Grayson County | No daily limit | |
Nottoway, Meherrin, Blackwater (Franklin County), Falling, and Smith Rivers and their tributaries | 5 per day in the aggregate with Roanoke bass; no rock bass less than 8 inches | |||
Roanoke bass | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass No statewide length limits | Nottoway, Meherrin, Blackwater (Franklin County), Falling, and Smith Rivers and their tributaries | 5 per day in the aggregate with rock bass; no Roanoke bass less than 8 inches | |
trout | See 4VAC15-330. Fish: Trout Fishing. | |||
catfish | channel, white, and flathead catfish | 20 per day; No length limits | All rivers below the fall line | No daily limit |
blue catfish | 20 per day; No statewide length limits | Lake Gaston | No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches | |
Kerr Reservoir, including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County | 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches | |||
James River and its tributaries below the fall line, Rappahannock River and its tributaries below the fall line, and York River and its tributaries (including the Pamunkey River and Mattaponi River) below the fall line | No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches | |||
All rivers below the fall line other than the James River and its tributaries, Rappahannock River and its tributaries, and the York River and its tributaries | No daily limit | |||
yellow, brown, and black bullheads | No daily limit; | |||
hickory shad | Above and below the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay | Creel and length limits shall be the same as those set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in tidal rivers | ||
Meherrin River below Emporia Dam Nottoway River, Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest Rivers, and their tributaries plus Back Bay | 10 per day No length limits | |||
American shad | No possession | |||
anadromous (coastal) alewife and blueback herring | Above and below the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay | Creel and length limits shall be the same as those set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for these species in tidal rivers | ||
Meherrin River, Nottoway River, Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest Rivers, and their tributaries plus Back Bay | No possession | |||
red drum | Back Bay and tributaries including Lake Tecumseh and the North Landing River and its tributaries | 1 per day No drum less than 18 inches or greater than 27 inches | ||
spotted sea trout (speckled trout) | Back Bay and tributaries including Lake Tecumseh and the North Landing River and its tributaries | 4 per day No sea trout less than 14 inches | ||
grey trout (weakfish) | Back Bay and tributaries including Lake Tecumseh and North Landing River and its tributaries | 1 per day No grey trout less than 12 inches | ||
southern flounder | Back Bay and tributaries including Lake Tecumseh and the North Landing River and its tributaries | 6 per day No flounder less than 15 inches | ||
northern snakehead | Anglers may possess snakeheads taken from Virginia waters if they immediately kill the fish and notify the headquarters or a regional office of the department; notification may be made by telephoning (804) 367-2925 No statewide daily limit No statewide length limits | |||
longnose gar | July 1 to April 14: 5 per day April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits | |||
bowfin | July 1 to April 14: 5 per day April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits | |||
American eel | 25 per day No eel less than 9 inches | Back Bay and North Landing River | No possession limit for those individuals possessing a permit obtained under 4VAC15-340-80 | |
other native or naturalized nongame fish | See 4VAC15-360-10. Fish: Aquatic Invertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Nongame Fish. Taking aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and nongame fish for private use. | |||
endangered or threatened fish | See 4VAC15-20-130. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General. Endangered and threatened species; adoption of federal list; additional species enumerated. | |||
nonnative (exotic) fish | See 4VAC15-30-40. Definitions and Miscellaneous: Importation, Possession, Sale, Etc., of Animals. Importation requirements, possession and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals. | |||
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. January 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2023.
4VAC15-320-30. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 3, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003.
4VAC15-320-40. Sale of game fish, yellow perch, white perch, gizzard shad, carp, gar, and catfish.
Game fish, yellow perch, and catfish raised in a privately owned facility by the holder of a Permit to Propagate and Sell Certain Wildlife or Permit to Hold and Sell Certain Wildlife may be sold as follows: (i) game fish for stocking private waters; (ii) game fish for stocking public waters only with approval from the department pursuant to 4VAC15-320-60; (iii) trout pursuant to 4VAC15-330-180 and 4VAC15-330-190; and (iv) yellow perch and catfish for stocking private waters, public waters pursuant to 4VAC15-320-60, or for human consumption. Except as otherwise provided for in 4VAC15-320-25 and 4VAC15-360-10, catfish, yellow perch, white perch, gizzard shad, carp, and gar may be taken from below the fall line in all tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and sold commercially in accordance with Virginia Marine Resources Commission commercial fishing regulations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 4, eff. January 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 9, eff. January 15, 2007.
4VAC15-320-50. Fish used as bait prohibited in certain waters.
It shall be unlawful to use any species of fish as bait in the waters and tributaries of Lick Creek in Smyth and Bland counties, Bear Creek in Smyth County, Laurel Creek in Tazewell and Bland counties, Big Stony Creek in Giles County, Dismal Creek in Bland and Giles Counties, Laurel Creek in Bland County, and Cripple Creek in Smyth and Wythe Counties.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 5, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. January 1, 2019.
4VAC15-320-60. Approval required to stock fish into inland waters.
A. It shall be unlawful to stock any species of fish into any inland waters of the Commonwealth without first obtaining written approval to do so from the department. Nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting the use of native and naturalized species of fish in privately-owned ponds and lakes, except spotted bass, blue catfish, and their hybrids may not be stocked.
B. The Department of Wildlife Resources (department) shall issue a written stocking authorization within 15 business days of receipt of a completed Virginia Fish Stocking Authorization Form, unless the department determines that granting such authorization may (i) endanger any native or naturalized population of fish; (ii) introduce, enable, or enhance the spread of fish diseases, including parasites; or (iii) establish nonnative or exotic aquatic species where such species may displace, threaten, or endanger native or naturalized species. Where an exception to issuance exists, the application shall be denied.
C. The department shall set an expiration date for each stocking authorization issued, limit the authorization to a specific species of fish, and geographically limit the stocking authorization.
D. The department is authorized to modify or revoke any stocking authorization where the department discovers any situation listed in subsection B of this section to exist or where otherwise permitted by law or regulation.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 6, eff. January 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2023.
4VAC15-320-70. Use of certain mechanical devices in tail waters of Kerr Dam.
It shall be unlawful to dispatch a lure by means of any mechanical device other than rod and reel in the tail waters of Kerr Dam for a distance of 600 yards below that dam.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 7, eff. July 1, 1973; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-320-80. Fishing, collecting bait, etc., in tail waters of Leesville Dam.
It shall be unlawful to fish, attempt to fish, assist others in fishing or collect or attempt to collect bait while wading in any of the waters of the Roanoke River from Leesville Dam downstream a distance of 840 feet to a permanent overhead cable; provided, that this shall not be construed to prohibit persons from fishing from behind the safety railings of the Leesville Access Structure built by the department.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501, 29.1-502, 29.1-701 and 29.1-735 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 8, eff. January 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-320-90. Exception to requirement of national forest permit.
A national forest permit, as provided for in § 29.1-408 of the Code of Virginia shall not be required to fish from national forest lands in the North and South forks of the Shenandoah River, in the James River, in Skidmore Lake in Rockingham County, in Lake Moomaw (Gathright Project), in the Jackson River below Gathright Dam, in North Fork Pound Reservoir, and in Wilson Creek downstream of Douthat Lake in Alleghany and Bath Counties.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 9, eff. January 1, 1982; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011.
4VAC15-320-100. Department-owned or department-controlled lakes, ponds, streams, boat access sites, or hatcheries.
A. Motors and boats. Unless otherwise posted at each recognized entrance to any department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, or stream, the use of boats propelled by a gasoline motor or sail is prohibited. Department employees and other government agency officials may use gasoline motors in the performance of official duties.
B. Method of fishing. Taking any fish at any department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, or stream by any means other than by use of one or more attended poles with hook and line attached is prohibited unless otherwise posted in which case cast nets (subject to 4VAC15-360-10 B) may be used for collecting nongame fish for use as bait.
C. Hours for fishing. Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day unless otherwise posted at each recognized entrance to any department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, stream, or boat access site.
D. Seasons; hours and methods of fishing; size and creel limits; hunting and trapping. The open seasons for (i) fishing, as well as fishing hours, methods of taking fish, and the size, possession, and creel limits and (ii) hunting and trapping for department-owned or department-controlled lakes, ponds, streams, or boat access sites shall conform to the regulations of the board unless otherwise excepted by posted rules by the director or his designee. Such posted rules shall be displayed at each lake, pond, stream, or boat access site, in which case the posted rules shall be in effect. Failure to comply with posted rules concerning seasons, hours, methods of taking, bag limits, and size, possession, and creel limits shall constitute a violation of this regulation.
E. Other uses. Camping overnight or building fires (except in developed and designated areas), swimming, or wading in department-owned or department-controlled lakes, ponds, or streams (except by anglers, hunters and trappers actively engaged in fishing, hunting, or trapping), is prohibited. All other uses shall conform to the regulations of the board unless excepted by posted rules.
F. Fishing tournaments, etc. A boat ramp special use permit is required to organize, conduct, supervise, or solicit entries for fishing tournaments, rodeos, or other fishing events on lakes, ponds, or streams owned by the department, for which prizes are offered, awarded, or accepted based on size or numbers of fish caught, either in money or other valuable considerations. Any fish captured and entered for scoring or consideration during a permitted fishing tournament, rodeo, or other fishing event on lakes, ponds, or streams owned by the department must be immediately released at the capture site. A boat ramp special use permit is not required for tournaments, rodeos, or other fishing events that occur on a statewide or nationwide basis and that do not have a designated meeting or gathering location.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 10, eff. January 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 17, Issue 19, eff. July 4, 2001; Volume 21, Issue 1, eff. September 20, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 16, eff. May 17, 2006; Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2021.
4VAC15-320-110. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 11, eff. July 1, 1980; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-320-120. Special daily permit for fishing in Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Douthat State Park Lake, Crooked Creek, and Wilson Creek.
A. It shall be unlawful to fish in the portion of Big Tumbling Creek within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area, in Douthat State Park Lake and in Wilson Creek both above the lake to the park boundary and downstream to the lower USFS boundary, and in the Crooked Creek fee fishing area in Carroll County without having first paid to the department for such privilege a daily use fee. Such daily use fee shall be in addition to all other license fees provided by law.
B. This fee will be required from the first Saturday in April through September 30 for the portion of Big Tumbling Creek within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Crooked Creek fee fishing area in Carroll County, and from the first Saturday in April through June 15 and from September 15 through October 31 at Douthat State Park Lake and Wilson Creek, except that the director may temporarily suspend fee requirements if conditions cause suspension of trout stocking. During the remainder of the year, Douthat State Park Lake, Wilson Creek, and the Crooked Creek fee fishing area in Carroll County will revert to designated stocked trout waters and a trout license will be required except as provided in 4VAC15-20-190, and beginning on January 1, 2018, the portion of Big Tumbling Creek within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area will revert to a seasonal catch and release area subject to 4VAC15-330-150. No fishing is permitted in these waters for five days preceding the opening day.
C. Upon payment of the daily use fee the department shall issue a special permit that shall be signed and carried by the person fishing.
D. Fishing shall begin at 9 a.m. on opening day at all fee areas. After opening day, fishing times will be as posted at each fee area.
E. The department may recognize clearly marked "children only" fishing areas within any department fee fishing area. Within these "children only" areas, children 12 years old or younger may fish without the daily use fee if accompanied by a fully licensed adult who has purchased a valid daily permit. No person older than 12 years of age may fish in these children-only areas. Also, children 12 years of age and younger can fish without a permit in all three fee fishing areas if under the direct supervision of a permitted adult. However, the combined daily creel limit for both adult and child or children in such a party shall not exceed six trout. During the fee fishing season these waters will be subject to 4VAC15-330-60, 4VAC15-330-80, and 4VAC15-330-90, as it relates to designated stocked trout waters.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 12, eff. January 1, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017.
4VAC15-320-130. (Repealed.)
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 13, eff. January 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; repealed Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011.
4VAC15-320-140. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 14, eff. April 1, 1981; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. January 1, 2019.
4VAC15-320-150. Shooting certain fish in Clinch River in Scott County.
It shall be lawful for any person holding a current license to fish to shoot suckers, redhorse and carp with a rifle, during the hours of sunrise to sunset, from April 15 to May 31, both inclusive, in the waters of the Clinch River within the limits of Scott County; except, that it shall be unlawful to shoot fish on Sunday, or within the limits of any town, or from any bridge. No more than 20 such fish may be so taken during any one day. All persons engaged in the shooting or the retrieval of fish pursuant to this section shall have in their possession a current fishing license.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-1 § 15, eff. January 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-320-160. Altering of game fish in possession prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person while fishing to remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any game fish (except bluegill sunfish and bream of the sunfish family) having a daily creel or size limit so as to obscure its species or render it impracticable to measure its total original length or count the number of such fish in possession. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or transport such altered game fish while on the water. However, the prohibition against possession and transportation in the previous sentence shall not apply to the preparations of lawfully obtained fish for immediate use as food or any lawful commercial use of such fish.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999.
4VAC15-320-170. Fishways.
It shall be unlawful to fish or to collect bait March 1 through June 15 within 300 feet of Boshers Dam Fishway on the north bank of James River, or within 150 feet of Harvell Dam Fishway on the south bank of Appomattox River.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001.
Forms (4VAC15-320)
Application/permit for striped bass fishing tournament (undated)
Nonresident Harvester's Permit to Take or Catch Fish in Back Bay and its Tributaries (eff. 9/2020)