Spotted Seatrout in Virginia
Creel, record and water pages for Virginia spotted seatrout.
- 5 a day (salt)bag
Pick for seatroutPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of the species, not a Virginia water: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
spotted seatrout across the Commonwealth
Spotted Seatrout are a Marine Resources Commission fish in Virginia, so the freshwater creel table leaves them out. On the salt side the code reads 14-inch minimum; 5 per person a day; Closed April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 (Virginia tidal waters).
At the moment no Virginia water page, record or stocking line carries it.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-280-30 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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| Where it applies | Row as printed | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Bay and tributaries, including Brinson’s Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh), and the North Landing River and its tributaries | Spotted Sea Trout | 4 per day, no fish less than 14 inches | no length limit printed |
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 marine rows for spotted seatrout
| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia tidal waters | 14 in minimum | 5 | Closed April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 | 4VAC20-280-30 |
No more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-280-30 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
spotted seatrout: the code section as written
4VAC20-280-30, Size and possession limits.
“A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, or possess any speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length, except that the catch of speckled trout by pound net or haul seine may consist of up to 5.0%, by weight, of speckled trout less than 14 inches in total length. B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook-and-line gear or fishing recreationally with any gear type to possess more than one speckled trout 24 inches or greater in any one day. C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with commercial hook-and-line gear or recreationally with any gear type to possess more than five speckled trout in any one day. D.”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-280-30 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
More fish beside spotted seatrout on the family tree
- 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)
A Piscifun spread to take to Virginia spotted seatrout
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Pictures of the water by Spotted Seatrout
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: NatalieMaynor, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, Public domain
Commonwealth angler queries on Spotted Seatrout
Is there a daily cap on Virginia spotted seatrout?
Saltwater limit as of November 6, 2026: 14-inch minimum; 5 per person a day; Closed April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 (Virginia tidal waters).
Where was the Virginia spotted seatrout record caught?
It has no state record on the DWR freshwater list.
Which Virginia lakes list spotted seatrout?
None of the Virginia lake or river pages carry it at present.
Do any Virginia waters set their own spotted seatrout rule?
The exceptions list leaves it alone.
Is spotted seatrout on the DWR stocking schedule?
It is not on the DWR stocking schedule.
Which license lets me keep spotted seatrout in Virginia?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
What family holds spotted seatrout on the DWR profile?
None printed in the data read.
Do Virginia spotted seatrout anglers skip the license on a free day?
Virginia DWR set Free Fishing Days for June 5–7, 2026: no freshwater fishing license needed, all other rules apply. Every other rule still applies.
Line up a trip for Virginia spotted seatrout
Start from a water above for its DWR launches.