Weakfish in Virginia
Where weakfish swim in Virginia, and what may be kept.
- 1 a day (salt)bag
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weakfish in the Old Dominion
Saltwater regulation, not DWR's freshwater digest, covers weakfish in Virginia. Below the license line the marine chapter gives 12-inch minimum; 1 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters).
It has no record, stocking date or water page here so far.
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-380-60 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Virginia weakfish creel and length lines
| 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 | Grey Trout | 1 per day, no fish less than 12 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.
Back to Virginia licenses and limits
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| Area as written | Size | Per person | Season | Code section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia tidal waters | 12 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-380-60 |
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-380-60 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
The Virginia code section on weakfish, quoted
4VAC20-380-60, Recreational fishing seasons, minimum size limits, and possession limits.
“A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally with hook and line, rod and reel or hand line to possess more than one grey trout and the minimum size limit shall be 12 inches in total length. B. The recreational vessel possession limit shall be equal to the number of persons on board legally eligible to fish multiplied by one. The captain or operator of the vessel shall be responsible for any vessel possession limit. Any grey trout taken after the possession limit has been reached shall be returned to the water immediately.”
Virginia Administrative Code 4VAC20-380-60 on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
Fish grouped with weakfish here
- 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)
Piscifun kit lined up for a day on Virginia weakfish
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Old Dominion water near Weakfish, on camera
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Blake Patterson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: schizoform, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Weakfish across Virginia: reader questions answered
How many weakfish can go home from a Virginia water?
It is a saltwater fish: 12-inch minimum; 1 per person a day (Virginia tidal waters), per the Administrative Code as of November 6, 2026.
When was the Virginia weakfish record set?
The DWR list shows nothing for it.
Where do weakfish turn up in Virginia?
This site ties it to no Virginia freshwater page so far.
Is the weakfish rule the same on every Virginia water?
No exception changes its rule by name; rules for all fish still count.
Does Virginia DWR stock weakfish?
No stocking date names it.
Is one Virginia license enough for weakfish?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
What is the Latin name DWR gives weakfish?
The sources read for this site print no scientific name for it.
When can I fish for weakfish 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 weakfish
The waters linked above list piers and ramps.