Rainbow Trout in Virginia
Digest rows, record weight and waters holding Virginia rainbow trout.
- 6 a daybag
- 14 lbs. 12 oz.record
Pick for rainbow troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the species, not a Virginia water: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Virginia rainbow trout: the rule-book view
In the 2026 Virginia digest, rainbow trout fall under the creel row headed "Trout". Creel, quoted: 6 per day. The length entry: 7 inch minimum size.
The Commonwealth record rainbow trout: 14 lbs. 12 oz., Spring Creek, 2024. South Holston Reservoir, Lake Moomaw and Laurel Bed Lake lead 143 Virginia pages where DWR names rainbow trout. 2 waters get a line of their own for it, See Trout Waters and South Holston Reservoir first. Since 2023 the trout schedule shows 3,806 dates, most recently November 6, 2026.
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), 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.
For the rainbow trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 rainbow trout in the 2026 Virginia digest
| 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.
rainbow trout, water by water in Virginia
| 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.
Record rainbow trout on the DWR list
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 14 lbs. 12 oz. | Spring Creek | 6-9-2024 |
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.
Impoundments and streams with rainbow trout on DWR pages
- South Holston Reservoir7,580 acres, Washington County
- Lake Moomaw2,530 acres, Bath County
- Laurel Bed Lake330 acres, Russell County
- Rural Retreat Lake90 acres, Wythe County
- Bark Camp Lake61 acres, Scott County
- Lake Biggins60 acres, City of Newport News
- 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
- Shields Lake7 acres, City of Richmond
- Hone Quarry6 acres, Rockingham County
- Dorey Park Lake5 acres, Henrico County
- Braley Pond4 acres, Augusta County
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
Recent rainbow trout stocking dates in Virginia
| Water as listed | Dates since 2023 |
|---|---|
| Crooked Creek | 157 |
| Clinch Mountain | 96 |
| Douthat Lake & Wilson Creek | 71 |
| Wolf Creek | 62 |
| Back Creek | 49 |
| Bullpasture River | 45 |
| Roanoke River (Salem) | 43 |
| Mill Creek | 40 |
| Passage Creek | 36 |
| South River | 34 |
Virginia DWR trout stocking schedule (date, county, water, category and species as listed; DWR prints no numbers or sizes), read November 6, 2026.
Relatives of rainbow trout in Virginia water
- Brook Trout6 a day
- Brown Trout6 a day
- Alabama Bassno daily cap
- Alewifeno possession
- American Eel25 a day
- American Shadno possession
- Black Crappie25 a day
- Blue Catfish20 a day
Piscifun spinning gear for a day out on Virginia rainbow trout
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Shorelines around Rainbow Trout through a camera
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jason Riedy, CC BY 2.0
Photo: DJ Patterson, CC BY-SA 2.0
What Virginians want settled about Rainbow Trout
What is the Virginia creel limit for rainbow trout?
Statewide the digest prints: 6 per day; length: 7 inch minimum size.
Which Virginia water produced the top rainbow trout?
The list shows 14 lbs. 12 oz. from Spring Creek, 2024.
What Virginia lake should I try for rainbow trout?
Of 143 Virginia pages, try South Holston Reservoir, Lake Moomaw and Laurel Bed Lake first.
Are there special waters for rainbow trout in Virginia?
The digest names 2 waters; See Trout Waters is one.
Which Virginia waters got rainbow trout from DWR?
Since 2023, 3,806 dated stockings, last on November 6, 2026; DWR gives dates, not numbers.
Which Virginia license do rainbow trout anglers buy?
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.
Which scientific name does DWR use for rainbow trout?
Oncorhynchus mykiss; family Trout (Salmonidae), per the DWR species profile.
Are Virginia free days open to rainbow trout anglers?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Normal limits remain.
Go after Virginia rainbow trout
Open a Virginia water above for its launches and local rules.