Hampton Roads Fishing
A bay in City of Hampton, on the Chesapeake Bay side.
Pick for red drumPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Hampton Roads, the short version
USGS records Hampton Roads as a bay on the Chesapeake Bay side within City of Hampton. Hampton sits some 6 miles from the named point.
DWR records 2 saltwater launches opening onto it. 8 artificial reefs from the VMRC reef charts lie within 25 miles. NOAA keeps 5 water-level stations within 25 miles. Its tidal water follows the VMRC saltwater limits.
USGS GNIS named feature 1479573; Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations; NOAA CO-OPS; read November 6, 2026.
Getting a boat onto Hampton Roads
| Site | Recorded attributes | Owner | Location (DWR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peterson Yatch Basin boat ramp on Hampton Roads | 2 ramps, barrier-free, saltwater | City of Newport News | I-64 to Terminal Ave. exit,L on Jefferson Ave to 16th St;R 16th St(1) to Anderson Park |
| Fox Hill boat ramp on Back River | dock and ramp & separate hand launch, 3 ramps, barrier-free, saltwater | DWR | North (1) of Fox Hill at end of Dandy Point Road |
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 Hampton Roads
| Species | Area | Size | Bag | Season | VAC section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black drum | Virginia tidal waters | 16 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-320-40 |
| Red drum | Virginia tidal waters | 18 in minimum, 26 in maximum | 3 | not stated | 4VAC20-1400-30 |
| Speckled trout | Virginia tidal waters | 14 in minimum | 5 | Closed April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 | 4VAC20-280-30 |
| Spot | Virginia tidal waters | not stated | 50 | not stated | 4VAC20-1380-30 |
| Striped bass | Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (spring/summer) | 19 in minimum, 24 in maximum | 1 | May 16 through June 15 | 4VAC20-252-80 |
| Striped bass | Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries (fall) | 19 in minimum, 24 in maximum | 1 | October 4 through December 31 | 4VAC20-252-90 |
| Striped bass | Potomac River tributaries | 19 in minimum, 24 in maximum | 1 | May 16 through July 6 and August 21 through December 31 | 4VAC20-252-100 |
| Striped bass | All Virginia waters | not stated | not stated | not stated | 4VAC20-252-50 |
The Marine Resources Commission rules shown for Hampton Roads 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 red drum herePiscifun NautiX saltwater spinning reel14% OFFSale $94.99 Tide prediction points near Hampton Roads
| NOAA water-level station | ID | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sewells Point | 8638610 | 3 miles |
| Money Point | 8639348 | 14 miles |
| CBBT, Chesapeake Channel | 8638901 | 15 miles |
| Yorktown USCG Training Center | 8637689 | 19 miles |
| Kiptopeke | 8632200 | 24 miles |
Prediction stations for Hampton Roads
| Prediction station | Distance |
|---|---|
| HAMPTON ROADS (Sewells Point) | 3 miles |
| Old Point Comfort | 3 miles |
| Newport News | 5 miles |
| Craney Island Light | 6 miles |
| Pig Point | 6 miles |
| Huntington Park | 7 miles |
Readings for Hampton Roads stay on NOAA pages.
NOAA CO-OPS Tides & Currents station list, read November 6, 2026.
Artificial reefs off Hampton Roads
| Reef | Area | Distance | Clearance (ft, MLW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Ground Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 3 miles | 12 |
| East Oceanview Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 8 miles | |
| Bluefish Rock Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 10 miles | 15 |
| Back River Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 13 miles | 15 |
| Poquoson Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 17 miles | 12 |
| York Spit Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 19 miles | |
| Cabbage Patch Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 21 miles | 15 |
| Mobjack Bay Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 22 miles | 15 |
VMRC guide charts supply the reefs listed for Hampton Roads.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide reef charts, read November 7, 2026.
Fishing villages around Hampton Roads
Communities near Hampton Roads
- NorfolkNorfolk (city), 10 miles
- HamptonHampton (city), 4 miles
- PoquosonPoquoson (city), 10 miles
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide (c. 2008, names only); USGS GNIS populated places.
Just off Hampton Roads, by road
Coast water within reach of Hampton Roads
- Elizabeth Rivertidal river, 3 miles
- Willoughby Baybay, 4 miles
- Lafayette Rivertidal river, 6 miles
- Nansemond Rivertidal river, 8 miles
- Western Branch Elizabeth Rivertidal river, 8 miles
Beyond the mouth of Hampton Roads
- Chesapeake BayVirginia side
Fresh water inland from Hampton Roads
- Tidal James River21 miles
- Lake Biggins7 miles
- Sandy Bottom Park Pond8 miles
- Lake Whitehurst10 miles
Filling the bait bucket close to Hampton Roads
- Safe Harbor Bluewatermarina, Hampton, 3 miles
- Sunset Boating Centermarina, Hampton, 3 miles
- Rebel Marine Servicemarina, Norfolk, 3 miles
- Willoughby Harbor Marinamarina, Norfolk, 3 miles
- I Cooper's Marine Suppliesbait and tackle shop, Hampton, 3 miles
- Joy's Marina Incmarina, Hampton, 3 miles
Virginia captains and guides who work Hampton Roads
- Captain Hogg's Charterscharter, Hampton, (757) 876-1590
- Four Winds Charteringcharter, Hampton, (757) 713-2275
- Hampton Roads Charterscharter, Hampton, (757) 868-3474
- Seaduction Fishingcharter, Hampton, (757) 329-5137
Places to stay near Hampton Roads
- Hampton6 miles, City of Hampton
- Norfolk7 miles, City of Norfolk
- Portsmouth8 miles, City of Portsmouth
- Bethel Manor9 miles, York County
The Virginia counties and cities along Hampton Roads
- City of Hamptonindependent city
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Hampton Roads
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Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Hampton Roads, in pictures
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Watts, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, Public domain
Photo: Missy Schmidt, CC BY 2.0
Hampton Roads, asked and answered for Virginia anglers
How does a Virginia chart or map label Hampton Roads?
It is in City of Hampton, on the Chesapeake Bay side, about 6 miles from Hampton.
Does DWR list a tidal launch close to Hampton Roads?
Start at Peterson Yatch Basin boat ramp on Hampton Roads, one of 2 saltwater launches.
Does Hampton Roads 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 Hampton Roads?
Red drum: 3 a day, 18-inch minimum, 26-inch maximum (4VAC20-1400-30), as of November 6, 2026.
Which speckled trout rule covers Hampton Roads?
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 Hampton Roads?
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 Hampton Roads?
The tide table for HAMPTON ROADS (Sewells Point), around 3 miles off, fits best.
What tackle store is handiest for Hampton Roads trips?
Safe Harbor Bluewater (about 3 miles away) heads the list.
Do VMRC reef sites lie within reach of Hampton Roads?
Middle Ground Artificial Reef is the closest VMRC guide reef, about 3 miles away (chart-grid midpoint, not a structure position).
Catch the tide on Hampton Roads
Licenses and code limits are on the regulations page.