ALL REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE MONTHLY
Anyone fishing with a spear or gig in Virginia's portion of the Chesapeake Bay or in the saltwater, tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay needs a saltwater fishing license [ Code 28.2 - 302.1 ].
It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest fish for commercial purposes by any method of spear fishing. [ 4 VAC 20-995-40 ].
It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or possess any sturgeon [ 28.2 - 303 ].
It shall be unlawful to possess a lobster that has an outer shell that has been speared [ 4 VAC 20-110-30 ].
It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take any shark using any gear other than handline or rod and reel [ 4 VAC-20-490-30 ].For all other species of finfish, recreational possession and size limits shall apply.