VA BOWFISHING REGULATIONS
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Updated 12/15/2023
Bowfin
5 daily limit
April 14 – June 30
1 daily limit
Carp
Common Carp
No limit statewide
Grass Carp
No limit statewide
Anglers may possess grass carp taken from inland public waters, except for public lakes and reservoirs. Anglers must ensure that harvested grass carp are dead.
Goldfish
No limit statewide
Catfish
Blue Catfish
No statewide length limits
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;
20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches
James River and its tributaries below the fall line, Rappahannock River and its tributaries below the fall line, and York River and its tributaries (including the Pamunkey River and Mattaponi River) below the fall line
No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches
Lake Gaston
No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches
All rivers below the fall line other than the James River and its tributaries, the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, and the York River and its tributaries
No daily limit
Channel, White and Flathead Catfish
20 per day
No length limits
All rivers below the fall line
No daily limit
Gar
Longnose Gar
5 daily limit
April 14 – June 30
1 daily limit
Snakehead
No limit statewide
Stingray
All Species
No limit statewide
