Brook Trout in Virginia
Virginia limits, the state record and the waters for brook trout.
- 6 a daybag
- 5 lbs. 15 oz.record
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Virginia brook trout in short
The digest row that sets the brook trout limit is the one titled "Trout". The creel column reads: 6 per day. On size the row says: 7 inch minimum size.
The DWR record list (as of 9-2-2025) shows 5 lbs. 15 oz. for brook trout, from Cub Run in 2019. Of 134 Virginia water pages naming brook trout, Lake Moomaw, Laurel Bed Lake and Skidmore Reservoir head the list. Its limit changes on 2 waters, among them See Trout Waters and South Holston Reservoir. The stocking schedule lists it on 1,479 dates, last on November 5, 2026.
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), Trout (Salmonidae).
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.
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| Where it applies | Row as printed | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Trout | 6 per day | 7 inch minimum size |
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.
Virginia waters where the digest rewrites the brook trout limit
| Water as printed | Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| See Trout Waters | ||
| South Holston Reservoir | 7 fish per day—only 2 lake trout. No minimum size. |
Water-specific exceptions as printed, 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Virginia's brook trout record row
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs. 15 oz. | Cub Run | 3-12-2019 |
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.
Commonwealth waters naming brook trout
- Lake Moomaw2,530 acres, Bath County
- Laurel Bed Lake330 acres, Russell County
- Skidmore Reservoir118 acres, Rockingham County
- Rural Retreat Lake90 acres, Wythe County
- Bark Camp Lake61 acres, Scott County
- Elkhorn Lake54 acres, Augusta County
- Lake Witten52 acres, Tazewell County
- Douthat Lake50 acres, Bath County
- Sugar Hollow47 acres, Albemarle County
- Bear Creek Lake42 acres, Cumberland County
- Lincolnshire Lake29 acres (DWR outline area), Tazewell County
- Silver Lake23 acres, Rockingham County
- Lake Thompson10 acres, Fauquier County
- Slate Lick Lake10 acres, Rockingham County
- Beartree Lake10 acres (DWR outline area), Washington County
- Briery Branch Lake9 acres, Rockingham County
- Clifton Forge Reservoir9 acres, Alleghany County
- Pandapas Pond8 acres (DWR outline area), Montgomery County
- Hearthstone Lake7 acres, Augusta County
- Hone Quarry6 acres, Rockingham County
- Dorey Park Lake5 acres, Henrico County
- Braley Pond4 acres, Augusta County
- Mint Springs4 acres (DWR outline area), Albemarle County
- Clearbrook Lake3 acres (DWR outline area), Frederick County
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
DWR stocking dates for brook trout
| Water as listed | Dates since 2023 |
|---|---|
| Crooked Creek | 54 |
| Roanoke River (Salem) | 39 |
| Roanoke River (City) | 27 |
| Sugar Hollow Reservoir | 27 |
| Jennings Creek | 26 |
| Glade Creek | 26 |
| Tinker Creek | 25 |
| Douthat Lake & Wilson Creek | 24 |
| Robinson River | 24 |
| Mint Springs Lake (Upper) | 23 |
Virginia DWR trout stocking schedule (date, county, water, category and species as listed; DWR prints no numbers or sizes), read November 6, 2026.
Close cousins of Virginia brook trout
- Brown Trout6 a day
- Rainbow Trout6 a day
- Alabama Bassno daily cap
- Alewifeno possession
- American Eel25 a day
- American Shadno possession
- Black Crappie25 a day
- Blue Catfish20 a day
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Virginia brook trout
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Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Brook Trout, in pictures
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mark Fischer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Virginia Brook Trout, the questions anglers bring
What does the Virginia digest allow for brook trout?
Creel: 6 per day. Length: 7 inch minimum size.
How heavy is the Virginia brook trout record?
Cub Run produced it in 2019: 5 lbs. 15 oz.
Which Virginia waters hold brook trout?
Lake Moomaw, Laurel Bed Lake and Skidmore Reservoir lead a list of 134 Virginia pages.
Which Virginia waters change the brook trout rule?
2 waters carry one; the first in the digest is See Trout Waters.
Do Virginia hatcheries release brook trout?
1,479 dates through November 5, 2026, with no fish counts printed.
Must a visitor buy a license for Virginia brook trout?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Designated stocked trout waters also need the $23 trout license from October 1 to June 15.
How does DWR list brook trout scientifically?
Salvelinus fontinalis; family Trout (Salmonidae), per the DWR species profile.
Are brook trout included on Virginia free fishing dates?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Limits still hold on those days.
Head out for Virginia brook trout
Pick one of those Virginia waters for its ramps.