Lancaster County, VA · Chesapeake Bay
Belle Isle State Park
Belle Isle State Park offers public shoreline and pier access on the Chesapeake Bay in Lancaster County. Common targets include striped bass, bluefish, spotted seatrout, red drum, summer flounder, and white perch.
Live · updated
Top pick today
White Perch — Great day to fish for White Perch.
Best conditions of 6 species tracked at Belle Isle State Park.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:21 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 11:59 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 5:50 PM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 11:50 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
Species at Belle Isle State Park
6 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 White Perch Great day to fish for White Perch. In season 84/100
What's helping
- 78°F water — inside white perch's active range
- outgoing tide — white perch prefers outgoing tide
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Morone americana — Smaller cousin of the striped bass and arguably the Bay's most popular panfish. Schools heavily in tidal rivers and creeks; hits bottom rigs with bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small jigs. Spring spawning run into the freshwater ends of tributaries is the marquee fishery.
Prefers. Water 50–78°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 8"
- Daily creel
- 25
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, excluding the Potomac main stem): 8-inch minimum, 25 per day. VMRC recreational rule. Significantly more restrictive than MD (no size minimum, no creel) on the creel side. Spring spawning-run tributaries can see emergency gear restrictions — verify with VMRC before March runs.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Red Drum Great day to fish for Red Drum. In season 80/100
What's helping
- 78°F water — right in red drum's ideal range
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 26"
- Daily creel
- 3
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay, including the Eastern Shore seaside creeks): 18–26 inch slot, 3 per day. 4VAC20-1400. Note the slot is TIGHTER than MD (18–27 in) by one inch on the top end, but the creel is higher (3 vs. MD's 1). Fish outside the slot must be released.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#3 Bluefish Workable day for Bluefish. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 78°F water — inside bluefish's active range
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay): no minimum size, 5 per person per day. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-450 (effective March 31, 2026). Slightly looser than MD (5/day private, 7/day for-hire, 8-inch min).
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#3 Spotted Seatrout Spotted Seatrout targeting is prohibited today. No targeting 68/100
It is illegal to fish for Spotted Seatrout at this location today. Accidental catches must be released immediately.
What's helping
- 78°F water — inside spotted seatrout's active range
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
Virginia tidal waters: 14-inch minimum, 5 per day, with no more than 1 fish over 24 inches. CLOSED April 1–June 30, 2026 for the spawning run (new VMRC regulation effective March 31, 2026 — 4VAC20-280). Differs significantly from MD (no seasonal closure, 4/day, no "big fish" limit) and DE (12-inch min, no creel). Re-verify before April trips — the spring closure was added in response to stock concerns.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#5 Summer Flounder Marginal conditions for Summer Flounder. In season 48/100
What's helping
- outgoing tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 78°F water — above summer flounder's active range (58–75°f) — fish move deep
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 4
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay): 16 in (Jan 1–May 31) / 17.5 in (Jun 1–Dec 31), 4 per day. 4VAC20-620. Matches MD and DE coastwide ASMFC allocation, which is re-negotiated annually.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#6 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 32/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 78°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- outgoing tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Daily creel
- 1
Virginia Chesapeake Bay and tributaries (excluding the Potomac main stem, which is managed by PRFC). 19–24 inch slot, 1 fish per day. Two open windows: May 16–June 15 (4VAC20-252-80) and October 4–December 31 (4VAC20-252-90). All other dates are closed to striped bass harvest in tidal Bay waters. Virginia's spring opener is two weeks earlier than MD (May 16 vs. May 1 opener for MD). Potomac River tributaries follow the PRFC schedule — see PRFC block.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
Location Info
Water Body
Chesapeake Bay
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Virginia tidal (VMRC)
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Belle Isle State Park: Virginia DWR fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Belle Isle State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Belle Isle State Park you need a Virginia saltwater recreational fishing license issued by VMRC, or a free Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registration if otherwise exempt. See the agency's current rules: https://mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/recfish-licensing.shtm
What fish are commonly targeted at Belle Isle State Park?
Belle Isle State Park is listed on this site for 6 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and 2 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Belle Isle State Park?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Belle Isle State Park against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Belle Isle State Park have?
Belle Isle State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Belle Isle State Park?
Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) saltwater regulations apply at Belle Isle State Park. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Belle Isle State Park tidal water?
Yes. Belle Isle State Park sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.