When is smallmouth bass season in Virginia?

Virginia keeps smallmouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Virginia bag limit for smallmouth bass?

The Virginia daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted). The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size smallmouth bass can you keep in Virginia?

The Virginia size rule for smallmouth bass is 11 in min statewide; 14 in min on listed trophy stream reaches (James River trophy reaches + New River + listed waters).

Do you need a license to fish for smallmouth bass in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia requires a valid fishing license to fish for smallmouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Virginia license — compare resident and non-resident Virginia fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for smallmouth bass in Virginia?

Yes. In Virginia, smallmouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Trotlines + setlines prohibited for black bass statewide; James River + Shenandoah River + New River: standard rod-and-reel + fly tackle; Catch-and-release of smallmouth under 14 in encouraged on James River trophy reaches even where 11 in min applies.

Do specific Virginia waters have different smallmouth bass rules?

Yes. 5 named Virginia waters carry rules that override the statewide smallmouth bass regulation, including James River, New River, Shenandoah forks, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Virginia Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated May 26, 2026

Virginia is one of the East Coast's premier stream smallmouth states. The James River from Iron Gate (Alleghany County) downstream through Buchanan, Glasgow, Lynchburg, Scottsville, and on to the I-95 fall line at Richmond runs roughly 230 river miles of wadeable + floatable smallmouth water — VDWR manages a 14-inch minimum + 5-fish daily limit on listed trophy reaches and the standard 11-inch minimum + 5-fish bag on remaining reaches. The Shenandoah River main stem and its North + South Forks add another 200 miles of stream smallmouth across the Shenandoah Valley. The New River — flowing north out of NC through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, Pulaski, Giles, and into West Virginia at Glen Lyn — is the trophy reach for both VA and WV smallmouth + walleye anglers. Claytor Lake (the New River impoundment near Radford) holds lacustrine smallmouth + walleye. Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna, and Philpott Lake also support reservoir smallmouth populations.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round on all public waters.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted)
Possession: 10 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 11 in min statewide; 14 in min on listed trophy stream reaches (James River trophy reaches + New River + listed waters)

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
Trotlines + setlines prohibited for black bass statewide
James River + Shenandoah River + New River: standard rod-and-reel + fly tackle
Catch-and-release of smallmouth under 14 in encouraged on James River trophy reaches even where 11 in min applies

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Virginia waters:

James River
14 in min on listed trophy reaches + 11 in min elsewhere, 5 / day combined
New River
14 in min, 5 / day combined; trophy stream smallmouth + walleye fishery; boundary water with NC + WV
Shenandoah River main stem + North Fork + South Fork
11 in min, 5 / day combined; Shenandoah Valley stream smallmouth across 200+ river miles
Claytor Lake
11 in min, 5 / day combined; New River impoundment near Radford
Philpott Lake
11 in min, 5 / day combined; trophy smallmouth + walleye Smith River impoundment

Official source

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (freshwater) + Virginia Marine Resources Commission (saltwater) publishes the authoritative 2026 Virginiafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Virginia fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Smallmouth bass closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Virginia trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is smallmouth bass season in Virginia?: Virginia keeps smallmouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Virginia bag limit for smallmouth bass?: The Virginia daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted). The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size smallmouth bass can you keep in Virginia?: The Virginia size rule for smallmouth bass is 11 in min statewide; 14 in min on listed trophy stream reaches (James River trophy reaches + New River + listed waters).
Do you need a license to fish for smallmouth bass in Virginia?: Yes. Virginia requires a valid fishing license to fish for smallmouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Virginia license — compare resident and non-resident Virginia fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for smallmouth bass in Virginia?: Yes. In Virginia, smallmouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Trotlines + setlines prohibited for black bass statewide; James River + Shenandoah River + New River: standard rod-and-reel + fly tackle; Catch-and-release of smallmouth under 14 in encouraged on James River trophy reaches even where 11 in min applies.
Do specific Virginia waters have different smallmouth bass rules?: Yes. 5 named Virginia waters carry rules that override the statewide smallmouth bass regulation, including James River, New River, Shenandoah forks, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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