Roanoke Bass in Virginia
Where roanoke bass swim in Virginia, and what may be kept.
- 25 a daybag
- 2 lbs. 9 oz.record
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roanoke bass in the Old Dominion
Virginia freshwater rules group roanoke bass under the heading "Roanoke Bass". How many to keep, word for word: 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass. Length rule as printed: No statewide length limits.
Western Branch Reservor produced the state roanoke bass mark of 2 lbs. 9 oz. in 2005. The digest rewrites the rule on 2 waters, Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County; and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County; and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County and Nottoway, Meherrin, and Blackwater (Franklin County), Blackwater (Chowan), Falling and Smith rivers and their tributaries included.
Roanoke Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons), Sunfishes (Centrarchidae).
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 roanoke bass creel and length lines
| Where it applies | Row as printed | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Roanoke Bass | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass | 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.
Local roanoke bass lines in the Virginia digest
| Water as printed | Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County; and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County; and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County | No daily limit | |
| Nottoway, Meherrin, and Blackwater (Franklin County), Blackwater (Chowan), Falling and Smith rivers and their tributaries | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) with rock bass No Roanoke bass less than 8 inches |
Water-specific exceptions as printed, 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Top Virginia roanoke bass by weight
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs. 9 oz. | Western Branch Reservor | 5-28-2005 |
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.
Fish grouped with roanoke bass here
- Alabama Bassno daily cap
- Black Crappie25 a day
- Flier50 a day
- Green Sunfish50 a day
- Largemouth Bass5 a day
- Pumpkinseed50 a day
- Redbreast Sunfish50 a day
- Rock Bass25 a day
- Smallmouth Bass5 a day
- Spotted Bassno daily cap
Piscifun kit lined up for a day on Virginia roanoke bass
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Old Dominion water near Roanoke Bass, on camera
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: WordRidden, CC BY 2.0
Roanoke Bass across Virginia: reader questions answered
How many roanoke bass can go home from a Virginia water?
It reads 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass; the length column says No statewide length limits.
When was the Virginia roanoke bass record set?
2 lbs. 9 oz., from Western Branch Reservor in 2005.
Where do roanoke bass turn up in Virginia?
This site ties it to no Virginia freshwater page so far.
Is the roanoke bass rule the same on every Virginia water?
Virginia's digest has 2 waters with special wording, Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County; and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County; and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County for one.
Does Virginia DWR stock roanoke bass?
No stocking date names it.
Is one Virginia license enough for roanoke bass?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older.
What is the Latin name DWR gives roanoke bass?
Ambloplites cavifrons; family Sunfishes (Centrarchidae), per the DWR species profile.
When can I fish for roanoke bass in Virginia without a license?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. The daily creel still counts.
Plan a Virginia day after roanoke bass
The waters linked above list piers and ramps.