Freshwater fish species in Hampton Roads

BLUEGILL

Seasons Year-round, although summer typically is best.
Locations Rivers and streams, water supply reservoirs and small ponds. Farm ponds typically produce the biggest bluegill.
Methods Crickets or small worms fished under bobbers is the most-popular method. But bluegills can be taken on fly rod poppers and on small jigs and spinners fished on ultralight tackle.
Regulations Virginia: 50 fish per day, and no size limit. North Carolina: 30 fish per day (with no more than 12 redbreast sunfish), and no size limit.

CATFISH

Seasons Year-round.
Locations River systems, water supply reservoirs and ponds. Some of the larger catfish - especially blue cats, can be found in deep-water stretches of the Chickahominy and James rivers.
Methods Fresh, cut-bait bounced on the bottom works best, although live bait and a variety of man-made scent baits also work.
Regulations Virginia: 20 fish per day for most species, and no size limit. The exception if only one blue per day that measures longer than 32 inches. North Carolina: No creel or size limits.

CHAIN PICKEREL

Seasons Year-round, although summer can produce good numbers.
Locations River systems and water supply reservoirs. Most owners try to keep pickerel out of their ponds.
Methods Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics and live bait under bobbers.
Regulations Virginia: 5 fish per day, and no size limit. North Carolina: No creel or size limits.

CRAPPIE

Seasons Year-round, but spring and fall typically are best for white and black crappie because the fish tend to be found in shallow-water cover.
Locations River systems, water supply reservoirs and ponds. Private farm ponds can provide some of the best fishing.
Methods Minnows fished under a bobber is the most-popular method. But fish can be taken by vertical jigging, or my casting any number of small jigs and spinners on ultralight tackle.
Regulations Virginia: 25 fish per day, no size limit. North Carolina: 20 fish per day, 8-inch minimum on most waters.

STRIPED BASS

Seasons Year-round, although winter and spring typically are best.
Locations Locations - River systems and water supply reservoirs.
Methods Drifting or trolling with large live shiners either under bobbers or free-lined. Also trolling diving plugs or casting bucktails and lipless crankbaits.
Regulations Virginia: 4 fish per day, 20-inch minimum on landlocked striper, and 2 fish per day, 18-inch minimum on local river systems. North Carolina: Various creel and size limits throughout the state, and several closed seasons.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Seasons Year-round, although spring is the most popular time to catch America's most sought-after game fish because the species spends that season in the shallows.
Locations River systems, water supply reservoirs and ponds. Farm ponds and neighborhood lakes annually produce some of the area's biggest fish.
Methods Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, plastics, topwater plugs and live bait all will work.
Regulations Virginia: 5 fish per day, with various size limits depending on the body of water. Some rivers and lakes also feature slot limits. North Carolina: 5 fish per day, 14-inch minimum on most waters.

SHAD

Seasons American and Hickory shad typically make their river runs in the spring.
Locations Locally, the Meherrin, Nottoway and Blackwater rivers are the top producers, although fish sometimes show in the North Landing and Northwest rivers.
Methods Small, gold shad darts are the top producers.
Regulations Virginia: On the above rivers, 10 fish per day, and no size limits. North Carolina: 10 fish per day, but only 1 American shad in a daily creel, no size limits.

SHELLCRACKER

Seasons This member of the bream family can be taken year-round but late spring and early summer are best.
Locations - River systems, water supply reservoirs and ponds.
Methods Crickets or worms under a bobber produce most fish, although big crackers can be taken by bottom-bouncing with either bait, and by casting a variety of small jigs on spinners on ultralight tackle.
Regulations Virginia: 50 fish per day, and no size limits. North Carolina: 30 fish per day, and no size limits.

WHITE PERCH

Seasons Year-round, although spring and winter can be the best.
Locations River systems and water supply reservoirs.
Methods Live minnows under bobbers, or catching small spinners and jigs on ultralight tackle.
Regulations Virginia: 20 fish per day, and no size limits. North Carolina: No creel or size limits.

YELLOW PERCH

Seasons Year-round, although spring and winter can be the best.
Locations River systems and water supply reservoirs. Indiantown Creek in northeastern North Carolina is arguably the area's best producer of big yellow perch.
Methods Live minnows under bobbers, or catching small spinners and jigs on ultralight tackle.
Regulations Virginia: 20 fish per day, and no size limits. North Carolina: No creel or size limits.