When is walleye season in Virginia?

Virginia keeps walleye 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 walleye?

The Virginia daily bag limit for walleye is 5 / day combined walleye + sauger. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye can you keep in Virginia?

The Virginia size rule for walleye is 18 in min New River + Claytor Lake; 15 in min Philpott Lake + Smith Mountain Lake + statewide elsewhere.

Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Virginia?

Yes. In Virginia, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Jigging + trolling permitted; live-bait minnows widely used; New River + Claytor Lake: 18 in min trophy management.

Do specific Virginia waters have different walleye rules?

Yes. 5 named Virginia waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including New River, Claytor Lake, Philpott Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Virginia Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated May 26, 2026

Virginia's walleye fishery is anchored by the New River + Claytor Lake system in Pulaski + Giles Counties — the New River main stem from the NC line through Claytor Lake to the WV border holds an 18-inch minimum + 5-fish daily aggregate across walleye + sauger; this is one of the most-celebrated stream walleye fisheries in the East. Philpott Lake (the 2,880-acre Smith River impoundment in Franklin / Henry / Patrick Counties) is the state's flagship lacustrine walleye water with a 15-inch minimum + 5-fish daily bag. Smith Mountain Lake and Lake Moomaw round out the reservoir walleye tier. Statewide minimum is 15 inches with the New River / Claytor Lake reach carrying the trophy 18-inch minimum.

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Season

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

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day combined walleye + sauger
Possession: 10 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in min New River + Claytor Lake; 15 in min Philpott Lake + Smith Mountain Lake + statewide elsewhere

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
Jigging + trolling permitted; live-bait minnows widely used
New River + Claytor Lake: 18 in min trophy management

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Virginia waters:

New River
18 in min, 5 / day combined walleye + sauger; trophy stream walleye fishery
Claytor Lake
18 in min, 5 / day combined; New River impoundment trophy walleye
Philpott Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined; flagship lacustrine walleye + smallmouth + striped bass
Smith Mountain Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined; reservoir walleye
Lake Moomaw
15 in min, 5 / day combined; Allegheny Highland reservoir walleye

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

Walleye 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 walleye season in Virginia?: Virginia keeps walleye 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 walleye?: The Virginia daily bag limit for walleye is 5 / day combined walleye + sauger. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye can you keep in Virginia?: The Virginia size rule for walleye is 18 in min New River + Claytor Lake; 15 in min Philpott Lake + Smith Mountain Lake + statewide elsewhere.
Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Virginia?: Yes. Virginia requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Virginia?: Yes. In Virginia, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Jigging + trolling permitted; live-bait minnows widely used; New River + Claytor Lake: 18 in min trophy management.
Do specific Virginia waters have different walleye rules?: Yes. 5 named Virginia waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including New River, Claytor Lake, Philpott Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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