Black Sea Bass in Virginia
Virginia black sea bass: limits, record, stocking and waters.
- 15 a day (salt)bag
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a Virginia water: (c) Jim Arrigoni, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0
black sea bass from the Blue Ridge to Tidewater
For black sea bass, the rules sit in the Marine Resources Commission chapters of the Administrative Code rather than DWR's freshwater table. In tidal water the Administrative Code sets 13-inch minimum; 15 per person a day; 2026: May 11 through December 31; 2027: April 1 through December 31 (Virginia tidal waters).
For now it shows up on no record row, stocking date or water page.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-950-45 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
How the Administrative Code treats black sea bass
| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia tidal waters | 13 in minimum | 15 | 2026: May 11 through December 31; 2027: April 1 through December 31 | 4VAC20-950-45 |
Minimum size from 4VAC20-950-30. February harvest from a recreational vessel needs a Recreational Black Sea Bass Permit and reporting.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-950-45 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Quoted Virginia rule text for black sea bass
4VAC20-950-30, Minimum size limit.
“A. The minimum size for black sea bass harvested by commercial fishing gear shall be 11 inches in total length. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, trade, or barter, or offer to sell, trade, or barter any black sea bass less than 11 inches in total length, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70 . B. The minimum size of black sea bass harvested by recreational gear, including hook and line, rod and reel, spear and gig, shall be 13 inches in total length. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any black sea bass smaller than the minimum size limit, as designated respectively, in subsections A and B of this section, except as described in 4VAC20-950-70 .”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-950-30 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Fish kin to black sea bass on this site
- Atlantic Croaker50 a day (salt)
- Atlantic Spadefish4 a day (salt)
- Black Drum1 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 tackle that suits Virginia black sea bass
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How the banks by Black Sea Bass look on a clear day
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Blake Patterson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Tidewater-to-mountain questions on Black Sea Bass
How many black sea bass may I keep per day in Virginia?
Per the VMRC chapter as of November 6, 2026: 13-inch minimum; 15 per person a day; 2026: May 11 through December 31; 2027: April 1 through December 31 (Virginia tidal waters).
What is the Virginia record black sea bass?
DWR's record list carries no row for it.
Which Commonwealth lake or river lists black sea bass?
The Virginia freshwater pages leave it off for now.
Does the digest print local black sea bass rules?
No digest exception names it, though water-wide rules still apply.
How often does DWR stock black sea bass?
No DWR stocking line covers it.
How much is a Virginia license to fish for black sea bass?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Which fish family are Virginia black sea bass in?
Not printed in the data used.
Can I fish for black sea bass on a Virginia Free Fishing Day?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Creel and length rules still apply.
Find black sea bass near your Virginia base
Every linked water shows DWR access sites.