Fishing in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay
Explore fishing in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay of Virginia. Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach, Chincoteague, Briery Creek
Chesapeake Bay offers excellent fishing in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay of Virginia with good public access.
1. Chesapeake Bay (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder, Tautog)
Chesapeake Bay, VirginiaChesapeake Bay offers excellent fishing in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay of Virginia with good public access.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
2. Virginia Beach (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder, Tautog)
Virginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach offers excellent fishing in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay of Virginia with good public access.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
3. Chincoteague (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder, Tautog)
Chincoteague, VirginiaChincoteague offers excellent fishing in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay of Virginia with good public access.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
4. Briery Creek Lake (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Briery Creek Lake, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- ⚠ This water: No largemouth or smallmouth bass 16 to 24 inches, only 1 per day longer than 24 inches
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
5. Buggs Island Lake (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Buggs Island Lake, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
6. Lake Accotink (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Accotink, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Burke Lake Boat Ramp →
7. Lake Anne (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Anne, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Lake Anne Access Area →
8. Lake Barcroft (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Barcroft, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
9. Lake Chesdin (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Chesdin, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
10. Lake Drummond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Drummond, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
11. Lake Gaston (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Gaston, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- ⚠ This water: Only 2 of 5 bass under 14 in; no crappie limit; striped bass Oct-May min 20 in.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
12. Lake Jackson (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Jackson, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
13. Lake Manassas (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Manassas, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
14. Lake Moomaw (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Moomaw, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- ⚠ This water: No bass under 12 in.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
15. Lake Orange (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Orange, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
16. Lake of the Woods (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake of the Woods, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
17. Laurel Bed Lake (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Laurel Bed Lake, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
18. Mountain Lake (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Mountain Lake, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
19. Sandy River Reservoir (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Sandy River Reservoir, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
20. South Holston Lake (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
South Holston Lake, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
21. The Mariners' Lake (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
The Mariners' Lake, VirginiaPopular fishing lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Boat rental and launch →
22. Blackheath Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Blackheath Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
23. Bowies Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Bowies Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
24. Lacy Millpond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lacy Millpond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Sturgeon Creek Marina →
25. Martin Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Martin Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
26. Meadow Creek Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Meadow Creek Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
27. Passmore Creek (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Passmore Creek, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
28. Peach Orchard Gut (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Peach Orchard Gut, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Surry Seafood Company Marina →
29. Pine Woods Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Pine Woods Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
30. Lake Pleasure House (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Pleasure House, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
31. Rainey Gut (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Rainey Gut, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
32. Lake Redwing (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Redwing, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
33. Riddick Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Riddick Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Constant's Wharf Marina →
34. Salt Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Salt Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Boat Launch: Ingrams Bay Marina →
35. Salt Ponds (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Salt Ponds, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
36. Sandy Bay (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Sandy Bay, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
37. Stubbs Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Stubbs Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
38. Sturgeon Hole (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Sturgeon Hole, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
39. Lake Tecumseh (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Lake Tecumseh, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
40. Wabden Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Winter Flounder)
Wabden Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.
- Striped bass (landlocked) · Limit: 4 per day combined (with hybrids) · No fish under 20 in; reservoir exceptions
Fishing Tips for the Coastal & Chesapeake Bay
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in Virginia; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Coastal & Chesapeake Bay waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in Virginia
- Hampton Roads & Tidewater
- Northern VA & Potomac
- Virginia's Piedmont & Central
- Shenandoah & Mountains
- Southwest & Blue Ridge
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