Fishermans Inlet Fishing
A inlet in Northampton County, on the Atlantic side.
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Fishermans Inlet, the short version
USGS records Fishermans Inlet as a inlet on the Atlantic side within Northampton County. Cape Charles sits some 10 miles from the named point.
9 artificial reefs from the VMRC reef charts lie within 25 miles. NOAA keeps 3 water-level stations within 25 miles. Its tidal water follows the VMRC saltwater limits.
USGS GNIS named feature 1491084; Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations; NOAA CO-OPS; read November 6, 2026.
Getting a boat onto Fishermans Inlet
DWR maps no saltwater ramp close to Fishermans Inlet.
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 Fishermans Inlet
| 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 Fishermans Inlet 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 Fishermans Inlet
| NOAA water-level station | ID | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kiptopeke | 8632200 | 4 miles |
| CBBT, Chesapeake Channel | 8638901 | 8 miles |
| Sewells Point | 8638610 | 23 miles |
Prediction stations for Fishermans Inlet
| Prediction station | Distance |
|---|---|
| Fishermans Island | 1 mile |
| Smith Island (Coast Guard Station) | 3 miles |
| Kiptopeke Beach | 4 miles |
| CBBT, CHESAPEAKE CHANNEL | 8 miles |
| Old Plantation Light | 10 miles |
| Cape Charles Harbor | 11 miles |
Readings for Fishermans Inlet stay on NOAA pages.
NOAA CO-OPS Tides & Currents station list, read November 6, 2026.
Artificial reefs off Fishermans Inlet
| Reef | Area | Distance | Clearance (ft, MLW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage Patch Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 6 miles | 15 |
| Bluefish Rock Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 13 miles | 15 |
| Back River Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 15 miles | 15 |
| Cherrystone Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 15 miles | 15 |
| York Spit Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 17 miles | |
| East Oceanview Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 17 miles | |
| Tower Artificial Reef | Atlantic Ocean | 20 miles | 30 |
| Poquoson Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 22 miles | 12 |
| Mobjack Bay Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 24 miles | 15 |
VMRC guide charts supply the reefs listed for Fishermans Inlet.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide reef charts, read November 7, 2026.
Fishing villages around Fishermans Inlet
Communities near Fishermans Inlet
- Cape CharlesNorthampton County, 11 miles
- OysterNorthampton County, 13 miles
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide (c. 2008, names only); USGS GNIS populated places.
Just off Fishermans Inlet, by road
Coast water within reach of Fishermans Inlet
- Fishermans Islandcape or island, 1 mile
- Smith Island Inletinlet, 2 miles
- Cape Charlescape or island, 3 miles
- Magothy Baybay, 5 miles
- Smith Islandcape or island, 6 miles
Fresh water inland from Fishermans Inlet
- Lake Whitehurst19 miles
- Trashmore Lake21 miles
- Sandy Bottom Park Pond26 miles
Filling the bait bucket close to Fishermans Inlet
- Bailey's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cape Charles, 11 miles
- Bbr Marina Shoresmarina, Virginia Beach, 15 miles
- Blue Marlin Marinemarina, Virginia Beach, 15 miles
- Sentara Therapy Center – Marina Shoresmarina, Virginia Beach, 15 miles
- Marina Shores Marina, 2100 Marina Shores Drmarina, Virginia Beach, 15 miles
- Great Mariner Management Comarina, Virginia Beach, 15 miles
Virginia captains and guides who work Fishermans Inlet
- Cape Charles Fishing Adventurecharter, Cape Charles, (717) 572-7589
Places to stay near Fishermans Inlet
The Virginia counties and cities along Fishermans Inlet
- Northampton Countycounty seat Eastville
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Fishermans Inlet
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Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Fishermans Inlet, in pictures
Photo: Doug Lewis, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Missy Schmidt, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nicolas Henderson, CC BY 2.0
Fishermans Inlet, asked and answered for Virginia anglers
How does a Virginia chart or map label Fishermans Inlet?
It is in Northampton County, on the Atlantic side, about 10 miles from Cape Charles.
Does DWR list a tidal launch close to Fishermans Inlet?
There is no nearby DWR site.
Does Fishermans Inlet 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 Fishermans Inlet?
Red drum: 3 a day, 18-inch minimum, 26-inch maximum (4VAC20-1400-30), as of November 6, 2026.
Which speckled trout rule covers Fishermans Inlet?
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 Fishermans Inlet?
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 Fishermans Inlet?
The tide table for Fishermans Island, around 1 mile off, fits best.
What tackle store is handiest for Fishermans Inlet trips?
Bailey's Bait & Tackle (about 11 miles away) heads the list.
Do VMRC reef sites lie within reach of Fishermans Inlet?
Cabbage Patch Artificial Reef is the closest VMRC guide reef, about 6 miles away (chart-grid midpoint, not a structure position).
Catch the tide on Fishermans Inlet
Licenses and code limits are on the regulations page.