Walleye in Virginia
Virginia limits, the state record and the waters for walleye.
- 5 a daybag
- 22 lbs. 8 oz.record
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Virginia walleye in short
The digest row that sets the walleye limit is the one titled "Walleye, Saugeye". The creel column reads: 5 per day in the aggregate. On size the row says: No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches.
The DWR record list (as of 9-2-2025) shows 22 lbs. 8 oz. for walleye, from New River in 1973. Of 28 Virginia water pages naming walleye, Lake Gaston, Lake Anna and South Holston Reservoir head the list. Its limit changes on 1 water, among them Claytor Lake and the New River upstream to Fries Dam in Grayson County.
Walleye (Sander vitreus), Perches (Percidae).
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 | Walleye, Saugeye | 5 per day in the aggregate | No walleye or saugeye less than 18 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 walleye limit
| Water as printed | Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Claytor Lake and the New River upstream to Fries Dam in Grayson County | 2 walleye per day; no walleye 19 to 28 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 walleye record row
| Weight as printed | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 22 lbs. 8 oz. | New River | 8-20-1973 (retired category) |
| 15 lbs. 15 oz. | New River | 12-15-2000 |
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 walleye
- Lake Gaston20,300 acres, Brunswick County
- Lake Anna9,600 acres, Louisa County
- South Holston Reservoir7,580 acres, Washington County
- Claytor Lake4,363 acres, Pulaski County
- Leesville Reservoir3,400 acres, Bedford County
- Lake Chesdin3,100 acres, Dinwiddie County
- Philpott Lake2,880 acres, Franklin County
- Lake Moomaw2,530 acres, Bath County
- Occoquan Reservoir2,100 acres, Fairfax County
- Flannagan Reservoir1,143 acres, Dickenson County
- Lake Cohoon510 acres, City of Suffolk
- Burke Lake218 acres, Fairfax County
- North Fork Pound Reservoir154 acres, Wise County
- Lake Orange124 acres, Orange County
- Hungry Mother Lake108 acres, Smyth County
- Lake Brittle77 acres, Fauquier County
- Lake Witten52 acres, Tazewell County
- Fluvanna Ruritan50 acres, Fluvanna County
- Little Creek Reservoir20 acres, James City County
- Hone Quarry6 acres, Rockingham County
- New RiverCarroll County
- Appomattox RiverAppomattox County
- Meherrin RiverGreensville County
- Dan RiverPatrick County
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
Close cousins of Virginia walleye
- Sauger2 a day
- Saugeye5 a day
- Yellow Perchno daily cap
- Alabama Bassno daily cap
- Alewifeno possession
- American Eel25 a day
- American Shadno possession
- Black Crappie25 a day
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Virginia walleye
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Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Walleye, in pictures
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Jim, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Virginia Walleye, the questions anglers bring
What does the Virginia digest allow for walleye?
Creel: 5 per day in the aggregate. Length: No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches.
How heavy is the Virginia walleye record?
New River produced it in 1973: 22 lbs. 8 oz.
Which Virginia waters hold walleye?
Lake Gaston, Lake Anna and South Holston Reservoir lead a list of 28 Virginia pages.
Which Virginia waters change the walleye rule?
1 water carry one; the first in the digest is Claytor Lake and the New River upstream to Fries Dam in Grayson County.
Do Virginia hatcheries release walleye?
The DWR trout stocking schedule has no entry for it.
Must a visitor buy a license for Virginia walleye?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older.
How does DWR list walleye scientifically?
Sander vitreus; family Perches (Percidae), per the DWR species profile.
Are walleye 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 walleye
Pick one of those Virginia waters for its ramps.