Muskellunge in Virginia
Virginia limits, the state record and the waters for muskellunge.
- 1 a daybag
- 45 lbs. 8 oz.record
Pick for muskellungePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a Virginia water: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
Virginia muskellunge in short
The digest row that sets the muskellunge limit is the one titled "Muskellunge". The creel column reads: 1 per day. On size the row says: No muskellunge less than 40 inches.
The DWR record list (as of 9-2-2025) shows 45 lbs. 8 oz. for muskellunge, from New River in 2007. Of 17 Virginia water pages naming muskellunge, Lake Moomaw, Western Branch Reservoir and Burke Lake head the list. Its limit changes on 1 water, among them New River-Claytor Dam downstream to VA-WV state line.
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), Pikes (Esocidae).
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.
For the muskellunge herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Each digest row that covers muskellunge
| Where it applies | Row as printed | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Muskellunge | 1 per day | No muskellunge less than 40 inches |
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 muskellunge limit
| Water as printed | Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| New River-Claytor Dam downstream to VA-WV state line | 1 per day June 1–last day of February: No muskellunge 40 to 48 inches March 1–May 31: No muskellunge less than 48 inches |
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 muskellunge record row
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 45 lbs. 8 oz. | New River | 6-1-2007 |
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 muskellunge
- Lake Moomaw2,530 acres, Bath County
- Western Branch Reservoir1,265 acres, City of Suffolk
- Burke Lake218 acres, Fairfax County
- North Fork Pound Reservoir154 acres, Wise County
- Hungry Mother Lake108 acres, Smyth County
- Rural Retreat Lake90 acres, Wythe County
- Lake Laura44 acres, Shenandoah County
- Lake Shenandoah36 acres, Rockingham County
- Staunton Run15 acres, Augusta County
- James River (Upper and Middle)Albemarle County
- New RiverCarroll County
- North Fork Shenandoah RiverShenandoah County
- South Fork Shenandoah RiverClarke County
- Maury RiverRockbridge County
- Powell RiverLee County
- Cowpasture RiverBath County
- Shenandoah RiverClarke County
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
Close cousins of Virginia muskellunge
- Chain Pickerel5 a day
- Northern Pike5 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 muskellunge
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Muskellunge, in pictures
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Blake Patterson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Virginia Muskellunge, the questions anglers bring
What does the Virginia digest allow for muskellunge?
Creel: 1 per day. Length: No muskellunge less than 40 inches.
How heavy is the Virginia muskellunge record?
New River produced it in 2007: 45 lbs. 8 oz.
Which Virginia waters hold muskellunge?
Lake Moomaw, Western Branch Reservoir and Burke Lake lead a list of 17 Virginia pages.
Which Virginia waters change the muskellunge rule?
1 water carry one; the first in the digest is New River-Claytor Dam downstream to VA-WV state line.
Do Virginia hatcheries release muskellunge?
The DWR trout stocking schedule has no entry for it.
Must a visitor buy a license for Virginia muskellunge?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older.
How does DWR list muskellunge scientifically?
Esox masquinongy; family Pikes (Esocidae), per the DWR species profile.
Are muskellunge 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 muskellunge
Pick one of those Virginia waters for its ramps.