Bowfin in Virginia
Virginia bowfin: limits, record, stocking and waters.
- July 1 to April bag
- 17 lbs. 8 oz.record
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a Virginia water: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States, Public domain
bowfin from the Blue Ridge to Tidewater
DWR's creel and length table puts bowfin on the line "Bowfin". Creel as printed: July 1 to April 14: 5 per day. Length: April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits.
DWR's list credits Chickahominy Lake with the 17 lbs. 8 oz. record bowfin, set in 1964. DWR lists bowfin on 10 waters covered here, Lake Drummond, Chickahominy Lake and Diascund Reservoir among the biggest.
Bowfin (Amia calva), Bowfin (Amiidae).
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Keeping bowfin legally in Virginia freshwater
| Where it applies | Row as printed | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Bowfin | July 1 to April 14: 5 per day | April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits |
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Heaviest Virginia bowfin on file
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 17 lbs. 8 oz. | Chickahominy Lake | 11-14-1964 (retired category) |
| 16 lbs. 8 oz. | Lake Cahoon | 10-17-2004 |
| 10 lbs. 12 oz. | Chickahominy River | 7-31-2016 |
State Record Freshwater Fish as of 9-2-2025 (keeper: Virginia DWR (State Record Freshwater Fish list as of 9-2-2025); angler names left off here), read November 6, 2026.
Places to try for Virginia bowfin
- Lake Drummond3,142 acres, City of Chesapeake
- Chickahominy Lake1,230 acres, New Kent County
- Diascund Reservoir1,110 acres, New Kent County
- Harrison Lake82 acres, Charles City County
- Gardy’s Millpond75 acres, Northumberland County
- Shields Lake7 acres, City of Richmond
- Three Lakes Park7 acres, Henrico County
- Blackwater RiverIsle of Wight County
- Nottoway RiverGreensville County
- Chickahominy RiverCharles City County
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
Fish kin to bowfin on this site
- Alabama Bassno daily cap
- Alewifeno possession
- American Eel25 a day
- American Shadno possession
- Black Crappie25 a day
- Blue Catfish20 a day
- Blueback Herringno possession
- Bluegill50 a day
Piscifun tackle that suits Virginia bowfin
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
How the banks by Bowfin look on a clear day
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: WordRidden, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tidewater-to-mountain questions on Bowfin
How many bowfin may I keep per day in Virginia?
The statewide row reads July 1 to April 14: 5 per day, with length April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits.
What is the Virginia record bowfin?
17 lbs. 8 oz. from Chickahominy Lake, 1964.
Which Commonwealth lake or river lists bowfin?
See Lake Drummond, Chickahominy Lake and Diascund Reservoir, the first of 10 Virginia pages naming it.
Does the digest print local bowfin rules?
No digest exception names it, though water-wide rules still apply.
How often does DWR stock bowfin?
No DWR stocking line covers it.
How much is a Virginia license to fish for bowfin?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Which fish family are Virginia bowfin in?
Amia calva; family Bowfin (Amiidae), per the DWR species profile.
Can I fish for bowfin 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 bowfin near your Virginia base
Every linked water shows DWR access sites.