Spotted Bass in Virginia
Virginia limits, the state record and the waters for spotted bass.
- no daily capbag
- 6 lbs. 10 oz.record
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Virginia spotted bass in short
The digest row that sets the spotted bass limit is the one titled "Alabama, Spotted Bass". The creel column reads: No statewide daily limit. On size the row says: No statewide length limit.
The DWR record list (as of 9-2-2025) shows 6 lbs. 10 oz. for spotted bass, from Flannagan Reservoir in 1976. Of 10 Virginia water pages naming spotted bass, Claytor Lake, Flannagan Reservoir and Diascund Reservoir head the list.
Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus), 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.
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| Where it applies | Row as printed | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Alabama, Spotted Bass | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
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's spotted bass record row
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lbs. 10 oz. | Flannagan Reservoir | 3-31-1976 (retired category) |
| 4 lbs. 12 oz. | Claytor Lake | 1-1-2020 |
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 spotted bass
- Claytor Lake4,363 acres, Pulaski County
- Flannagan Reservoir1,143 acres, Dickenson County
- Diascund Reservoir1,110 acres, New Kent County
- North Fork Pound Reservoir154 acres, Wise County
- Hungry Mother Lake108 acres, Smyth County
- New RiverCarroll County
- Appomattox RiverAppomattox County
- Clinch RiverRussell County
- Pamunkey RiverCaroline County
- Powell RiverLee County
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
Close cousins of Virginia spotted bass
- 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
- Roanoke Bass25 a day
- Rock Bass25 a day
- Smallmouth Bass5 a day
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Virginia spotted bass
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Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Spotted Bass, in pictures
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: DJ Patterson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Virginia Spotted Bass, the questions anglers bring
What does the Virginia digest allow for spotted bass?
Creel: No statewide daily limit. Length: No statewide length limit.
How heavy is the Virginia spotted bass record?
Flannagan Reservoir produced it in 1976: 6 lbs. 10 oz.
Which Virginia waters hold spotted bass?
Claytor Lake, Flannagan Reservoir and Diascund Reservoir lead a list of 10 Virginia pages.
Which Virginia waters change the spotted bass rule?
None of the exceptions mention it by name; posted rules still apply.
Do Virginia hatcheries release spotted bass?
The DWR trout stocking schedule has no entry for it.
Must a visitor buy a license for Virginia spotted bass?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older.
How does DWR list spotted bass scientifically?
Micropterus punctulatus; family Sunfishes (Centrarchidae), per the DWR species profile.
Are spotted bass 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 spotted bass
Pick one of those Virginia waters for its ramps.