VA · Muskellunge
Virginia muskellunge limits
Virginia allows one muskellunge a day statewide, and it must be at least 40 inches long. The New River from Claytor Dam down to the West Virginia line has its own seasonal size rule: from June 1 to the last day of February, muskies from 40 to 48 inches must be released, and from March 1 to May 31 nothing under 48 inches may be kept.
Verified 2026-11-02Limits at a glance
Regulation period: January 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026.
Daily limit
1 per day
DatesOpen all year
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 40 inches
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Daily limit
1 per day
Size ruleNo muskellunge from 40 to 48 inches may be keptDWR lists this as the only geographic exception to the statewide muskie rule. The table states the 40–48 inch protection without saying whether fish under 40 inches may be kept here, so ask DWR before keeping a fish under 40 inches on this stretch.
Daily limit
1 per day
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 48 inches
Watch for
- Where to fish: DWR's species page names portions of the James, New and Shenandoah rivers and the upper Tennessee River basin; the digest's fishing guide also lists Rural Retreat, Hungry Mother and Burke lakes and the Clinch River. Muskies are not native to Virginia; the first were stocked in the New River watershed in 1963, and DWR says most reservoir populations are kept up by stocking, while the James and New rivers sustain themselves.
- Muskellunge are a Virginia game fish. It is unlawful to have more than the daily creel limit in possession while afield or on the water, and fish kept alive count toward it.
- A muskie of 40 inches or 15 pounds qualifies for a DWR Trophy Fish Award. The state record (musky, tiger musky included) is 45 lb 8 oz from the New River, June 1, 2007.
- DWR advises against targeting muskies when summer water is warm: they stop feeding around 84°F and are stressed by heat.
- These figures come from the 2026 digest, which runs to Dec. 31, 2026. We will re-check this page when the 2027 digest is published.
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Virginia · Muskellunge
Quick answers
What is the daily limit for muskellunge in Virginia?
Statewide (waters with no listed exception): 1 per day. Size rule: Minimum length 40 inches. Other waters and date windows have different rules; see the table. Verify with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Which regulations do these Virginia figures come from?
January 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026, as published by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Last verified 2026-11-02.