Broad Bay Fishing
A bay in City of Virginia Beach, on the Atlantic side.
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Broad Bay, the short version
USGS records Broad Bay as a bay on the Atlantic side within City of Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach sits some 8 miles from the named point.
DWR records 1 saltwater launch opening onto it. 6 artificial reefs from the VMRC reef charts lie within 25 miles. NOAA keeps 4 water-level stations within 25 miles. Its tidal water follows the VMRC saltwater limits.
USGS GNIS named feature 1478268; Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations; NOAA CO-OPS; read November 6, 2026.
Getting a boat onto Broad Bay
| Site | Recorded attributes | Owner | Location (DWR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owls Creek boat ramp on Linkhorn Bay | dock and ramp, 4 ramps, barrier-free, saltwater | Vity of Virginia Beach | From Virginia Beach, South on General Booth Blvd. |
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations layer (attributes as recorded; lanes, fees and hours are not in the layer), read November 6, 2026.
Marine creel limits on Broad Bay
| Species | Area | Size | Bag | Season | VAC section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black drum | Virginia tidal waters | 16 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-320-40 |
| Black sea bass | Virginia tidal waters | 13 in minimum | 15 | 2026: May 11 through December 31; 2027: April 1 through December 31 | 4VAC20-950-45 |
| Bluefish | Virginia tidal waters | not stated | 5 | not stated | 4VAC20-450-20 |
| Cobia | Virginia tidal waters | 43 in minimum | 1 | June 15 through September 20 | 4VAC20-510-20 |
| Grey trout (weakfish) | Virginia tidal waters | 12 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-380-60 |
| Spanish mackerel | Virginia tidal waters | 14 in minimum | 15 | not stated | 4VAC20-540-30 |
| Speckled trout | Virginia tidal waters | 14 in minimum | 5 | Closed April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 | 4VAC20-280-30 |
| Striped bass | All Virginia waters | not stated | not stated | not stated | 4VAC20-252-50 |
The Marine Resources Commission rules shown for Broad Bay date from November 6, 2026.
Virginia Administrative Code, Title 4 Agency 20 (Marine Resources Commission) on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Virginia license fees in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (licenses run one year from purchase unless noted), read November 6, 2026. Virginia Marine Resources Commission license fees, read November 6, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Tide prediction points near Broad Bay
| NOAA water-level station | ID | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| CBBT, Chesapeake Channel | 8638901 | 10 miles |
| Sewells Point | 8638610 | 16 miles |
| Money Point | 8639348 | 17 miles |
| Kiptopeke | 8632200 | 19 miles |
Prediction stations for Broad Bay
| Prediction station | Distance |
|---|---|
| Broad Bay Canal | 1 mile |
| Long Creek | 2 miles |
| Brown Cove | 2 miles |
| Cape Henry | 3 miles |
| Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia Pilots Dock | 3 miles |
| Bayville | 4 miles |
Readings for Broad Bay stay on NOAA pages.
NOAA CO-OPS Tides & Currents station list, read November 6, 2026.
Artificial reefs off Broad Bay
| Reef | Area | Distance | Clearance (ft, MLW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Oceanview Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 10 miles | |
| Bluefish Rock Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 13 miles | 15 |
| Tower Artificial Reef | Atlantic Ocean | 17 miles | 30 |
| Cabbage Patch Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 19 miles | 15 |
| Back River Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 20 miles | 15 |
| Middle Ground Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 20 miles | 12 |
VMRC guide charts supply the reefs listed for Broad Bay.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide reef charts, read November 7, 2026.
Angler guide landings on Broad Bay
- Broad Creek Ramp (Rappahannock R.)VMRC angler guide listing
- Seashore State Park Ramp (Broad Bay)VMRC angler guide listing
Fishing villages around Broad Bay
- Virginia BeachVirginia Beach (city), 5 miles
- NorfolkNorfolk (city), 14 miles
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide (c. 2008, names only); USGS GNIS populated places.
Just off Broad Bay, by road
Coast water within reach of Broad Bay
- Linkhorn Baybay, 2 miles
- Lynnhaven Baybay, 2 miles
- Cape Henrycape or island, 2 miles
- Lynnhaven Inletinlet, 3 miles
- Lynnhaven Rivertidal river, 3 miles
Fresh water inland from Broad Bay
- Trashmore Lake7 miles
- Lake Whitehurst9 miles
- Back Bay21 miles
Filling the bait bucket close to Broad Bay
- Marina Shores Marina, 2100 Marina Shores Drmarina, Virginia Beach, 2 miles
- Bbr Marina Shoresmarina, Virginia Beach, 2 miles
- Sentara Therapy Center – Marina Shoresmarina, Virginia Beach, 2 miles
- Great Mariner Management Comarina, Virginia Beach, 2 miles
- Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Virginia Beach, 2 miles
- Blue Marlin Marinemarina, Virginia Beach, 2 miles
Virginia captains and guides who work Broad Bay
- A-Aa Four Winds Charteringcharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 464-4680
- AAA Ryno Charterscharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 679-3474
- AfishinadoVB Fishing Charterscharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 748-0488
- Aquaman Sportfishing Charterscharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 200-0200
- Big Time Charters Inccharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 496-1040
- E Fishin Sea Sportfishingcharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 985-6255
- E-Fishinsea Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Virginia Beach, (970) 946-7071
- First Landing Charterscharter, Virginia Beach, (757) 708-0707
Places to stay near Broad Bay
- Virginia Beach8 miles, City of Virginia Beach
- Norfolk12 miles, City of Norfolk
- Hampton18 miles, City of Hampton
- Portsmouth18 miles, City of Portsmouth
The Virginia counties and cities along Broad Bay
- City of Virginia Beachindependent city
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Broad Bay
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Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Broad Bay, in pictures
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nicolas Henderson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Doug Lewis, CC BY 2.0
Broad Bay, asked and answered for Virginia anglers
How does a Virginia chart or map label Broad Bay?
It is in City of Virginia Beach, on the Atlantic side, about 8 miles from Virginia Beach.
Does DWR list a tidal launch close to Broad Bay?
Start at Owls Creek boat ramp on Linkhorn Bay, one of 1 saltwater launch.
Does Broad Bay call for the Virginia saltwater license?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older. Youth under 16 fish free.
Can I keep a big red drum from Broad Bay?
Red drum: 3 a day, 18-inch minimum, 26-inch maximum (4VAC20-1400-30), as of November 6, 2026.
Which speckled trout rule covers Broad Bay?
Speckled trout: 5 a day, 14-inch minimum (4VAC20-280-30); the code closes the season April 1 through June 30, 2026, as of November 6, 2026.
Which flounder rule covers Broad Bay?
Summer flounder: 4 a day, 16-inch minimum (4VAC20-620-50); the minimum rises June 1 per the code section, as of November 6, 2026.
Which tide table fits Broad Bay?
The tide table for Broad Bay Canal, around 1 mile off, fits best.
What tackle store is handiest for Broad Bay trips?
Marina Shores Marina (about 2 miles away) heads the list.
Do VMRC reef sites lie within reach of Broad Bay?
East Oceanview Artificial Reef is the closest VMRC guide reef, about 10 miles away (chart-grid midpoint, not a structure position).
Catch the tide on Broad Bay
Licenses and code limits are on the regulations page.