Virginia · Mid-Atlantic
Virginia saltwater fishing forecast
10 bay systems and 501 named spots on the Virginia Atlantic coast, with 8 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge at 81 for Red drum.
In peak season this week: Little tunny, Mahi-mahi, Red drum, Scup, Sheepshead and Spanish mackerel and 3 more.
- Bay systems
- 10
- Named spots
- 501
- Tide stations
- 8
- Species guides
- 21
Bay systems right now · 10
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 7:19 PM EDT. Best window is the rest of today.
ANZ637 · 24 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8-10 PM (peak 81)
ANZ635 · 25 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8-11 PM (peak 81)
ANZ630 · 99 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8-11 PM (peak 80)
ANZ634 · 135 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 81)
ANZ631 · 33 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 77)
ANZ652 · 89 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 78)
ANZ639 · 32 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 78)
ANZ632 · 45 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 80)
ANZ537 · 4 named spots
Top now: Spot · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 72)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Virginia bay system this hour.
- Red drum81Great
Best in James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season - Spot79Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season - Spanish mackerel73Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season - Sheepshead72Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season - Little tunny71Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season - Summer flounder71Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season - Atlantic croaker70Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA · scored in 10 bay systems
Shoulder season - Spotted seatrout69Great
Best in Rappahannock River from Urbanna to Windmill Point · scored in 10 bay systems
Shoulder season - 66Great
- Scup65Great
Best in Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel · scored in 10 bay systems
Peak season
Species guides · 21
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Virginia waters.
- Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus · pelagicPeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus · pelagicPeak season, changing this weekpeak
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshorePeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- ScupStenotomus chrysops · nearshorePeak season, about 6 more weekspeak
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- SpotLeiostomus xanthurus · inshorePeak season, about 5 more weekspeak
- Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus · bottomPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares · pelagicPeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus · pelagicShoulder season, about 10 more weeksshoulder
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Black sea bassCentropristis striata · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- BluefishPomatomus saltatrix · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagicShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Striped bassMorone saxatilis · sea-runShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- TautogTautoga onitis · nearshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- WeakfishCynoscion regalis · inshoreShoulder season, about 1 more weekshoulder
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshoreOff season, about 6 more weeksoff
- Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus · bottom
Regulations and licenses
Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Synced with VMRC Sep 16, 2026.
VMRC sets the saltwater rules, but saltwater fishing licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. VMRC links to the DWR license page, which links to Go Outdoors Virginia for online sales. Anglers exempt from a paid license may still need a no-cost Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registration.
No reviewed rules are on file for Virginia yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.