King Mackerel in Virginia
king mackerel under the 2026 Virginia rules.
- 3 a day (salt)bag
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What Virginia rules say about king mackerel
Look to the Administrative Code's marine chapters for king mackerel; the DWR freshwater table has no row for them. The VMRC section in force on November 6, 2026 says 27-inch minimum; 3 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters).
No DWR record, stocking date or water page here is tied to it yet.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-540-30 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
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| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia tidal waters | 27 in minimum | 3 | not stated | 4VAC20-540-30 |
Minimum size from 4VAC20-540-40.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-540-30 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
king mackerel in the words of the Administrative Code
4VAC20-540-30, Recreational possession limits.
“A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing with hook-and-line, hand line, rod and reel, spear, gig, or other recreational gear to possess more than 15 Spanish mackerel or more than three king mackerel. B. When fishing from a boat or vessel where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the possession limits shall be for the boat or vessel and shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by 15 for Spanish mackerel or multiplied by three for king mackerel. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limit.”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-540-30 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Other Virginia fish near king mackerel
- Atlantic Croaker50 a day (salt)
- Atlantic Spadefish4 a day (salt)
- Black Drum1 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)
Piscifun reels for a Virginia day on Virginia king mackerel
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Ridge-ringed reservoirs and creek bends near King Mackerel, photographed
Photo: flyheatherfly, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Rob Shenk, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
Old Dominion King Mackerel, asked at the ramp
What is the statewide king mackerel creel in Virginia?
The marine code sets 27-inch minimum; 3 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters) as of November 6, 2026.
Does DWR list a record king mackerel?
The DWR freshwater record list as of 9-2-2025 has no entry for it.
Which Virginia pages here mention king mackerel?
No Virginia lake page lists it at this point.
Where does the king mackerel rule change in Virginia?
Exception lines do not name it; posted rules on a water still apply.
Were king mackerel stocked in Virginia recently?
The schedule leaves it out.
Which Virginia license covers king mackerel?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Which family do king mackerel belong to in Virginia?
No scientific name was printed for it in the DWR data read here.
On which Virginia dates can king mackerel be fished license-free?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Size and creel rules stay in force.
Pick a Virginia water for king mackerel
Each water page lists its DWR ramps, piers and digest lines.