Regulations

[cwirth]

I have never really got a straight answer on this. In Virginia, are you allowed to fish for rockfish right now or do you have to wait until the season starts May 1? Obviously I am not saying to keep them, but are you allowed to basically "practice fish" for them if you catch and release? Any help would be appreciated, I have checked the site out before but never actually posted anything.

[rmlewisjr]

Stright answer... In VA waters it is May First.
http://www.mrc.state.va.us/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm
Now, with that said[grin]...[grin]Trophy Season regulations apply in Virginia's Territorial Sea and the Chesapeake Bay and its Virginia tributary rivers, except for the tributary rivers emptying into the Potomac River . Potomac River striped bass regulations: Different regulations apply in the Potomac River and its tributaries, including its Virginia tributaries. These areas are subject to the rules and regulations of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, P.O. Box 9, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, (804) 224-7148; (800) 266-3904; http://www.prfc.state.va.us. For further information on PRFC rules contact PRFC directly.

Right from the VMRC web site.

[Antman40]

The way I figured it was if you have a VA saltwater license you would get reciprocity from PRFC thus your license would allow you to fish the Lower Potomac (below 301) and thus follow PRFC rules. Rock season for the Potomac opened 4/15. Good Luck! I got a 35" trolling around bouy 7 in about 40' earlier in the week.

Tony

[cwirth]

Yeah but what about fishing in the Rapp. I know that possession is not allowed, but what about catch and release?

[Tom Powers]

Virginia is a possession state. Within state waters you can catch and release any fish indpendent of closed seasons for harvest. They recently changed the rules regarding release citations. I am pretty sure that you can get a release citation for a fish during a closed season.

That being said sturgen is an endangered species I am not sure what the feds would say about that. Also waters in the EEZ (outside of 3-miles along the coast) are closed to targeting or keeping striped bass.

Tom

[rocksandblues]

one can NOT get a release cit during closed season.

[Tom Powers]

I thought they changed the rules a while back when a maximum size limit of 26 inches was put on red drum. Anyway I could very well be wrong.

They did award the following fish last year.

STRIPED BASS YORK RIVER, LOWER 04/14/05 0-00 45.0

Maybe someone on the Committee will chime in and let us know the rule.

Tom