Black Drum in Virginia
Digest rows, record weight and waters holding Virginia black drum.
- 1 a day (salt)bag
Pick for black drumPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of the species, not a Virginia water: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Virginia black drum: the rule-book view
Virginia manages black drum as a saltwater fish: the Marine Resources Commission sets the numbers, not the freshwater digest. Tidal rules per the code: 16-inch minimum; 1 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters).
So far the record list, the stocking schedule and the water pages here leave it out.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-320-40 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
For the black drum herePiscifun NautiX saltwater spinning reel14% OFFSale $94.99 Saltwater limits on Virginia black drum
| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia tidal waters | 16 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-320-40 |
One black drum per day by hook and line, rod and reel or hand line; minimum size from 4VAC20-320-60.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-320-40 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
What the marine chapter says about black drum
4VAC20-320-40, Possession limits on hook and line harvests.
“A. It shall be unlawful for any person using hook and line, rod and reel, or hand line to take or catch from Virginia tidal waters more than one black drum per day. Any black drum taken after the possession limit of one has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately. B. When fishing from any boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limit shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-320-40 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Relatives of black drum in Virginia water
- Atlantic Croaker50 a day (salt)
- Atlantic Spadefish4 a day (salt)
- Black Sea Bass15 a day (salt)
- Bluefish5 a day (salt)
- Blueline Tilefish3 a day (salt)
- Cobia1 a day (salt)
- Golden Tilefish8 a day (salt)
- Greater Amberjack2 a day (salt)
Piscifun spinning gear for a day out on Virginia black drum
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Shorelines around Black Drum through a camera
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mark Fischer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Blake Patterson, CC BY 2.0
What Virginians want settled about Black Drum
What is the Virginia creel limit for black drum?
Virginia marine rules: 16-inch minimum; 1 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters), current to November 6, 2026.
Which Virginia water produced the top black drum?
No Virginia freshwater record appears for it on the DWR list.
What Virginia lake should I try for black drum?
No Virginia lake or river page here names it yet; the coast and bay pages carry saltwater species.
Are there special waters for black drum in Virginia?
It has no named local line; each water's general rules still hold.
Which Virginia waters got black drum from DWR?
DWR lists no stocking of it.
Which Virginia license do black drum anglers buy?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Which scientific name does DWR use for black drum?
The profiles read here give none.
Are Virginia free days open to black drum anglers?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Normal limits remain.
Go after Virginia black drum
Open a Virginia water above for its launches and local rules.