Virginia’s trout season is open year-round and the general statewide limits are 6 trout per day, no fish less than 7 inches. There are a number of exceptions found below for certain areas and waters (i.e., heritage, urban, special area, special regulation, and fee fishing waters), so please study the sections following for fishing times, dates, and limits. These different restrictions have been applied to certain wild trout waters, as well as several types of stocked trout streams, to provide anglers with the opportunity to catch more and larger trout.

Success for both wild and stocked trout should be very high through the spring, fall, and mild winter periods. From June through September, normally low stream flows and warming water temperatures make trout fishing more difficult.

However, experienced trout anglers can find good trout fishing opportunities throughout the year.