Virginia Seafood: What to Eat When

Whether you are ordering from a menu or cooking at home, seafood is always best when you know it is fresh. Local, sustainable fresh-caught seafood supports the regional economy and the environment at the same time. Use this guide to know what’s in season in Virginia and enjoy GOOD seafood all year long.

Thanks to VirginiaSeafood.org as the source for much of this research.
*Note that the catch method for Summer Flounder is a factor in determining sustainability.

January and February

CRABS

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

FINFISH

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American Angler)

• Summer Flounder* (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)

March

CRABS

• Blue Crab

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

• Channeled Whelk (Conch, Scungilli)

FINFISH

• Blue Catfish (Catfish, Blue Cat)

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Bluefish (Tailor, Snapper)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American Angler)

• Summer Flounder*  (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)

April

CRABS

• Blue Crab

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

• Channeled Whelk (Conch, Scungilli)

FINFISH

• Blue Catfish (Catfish, Blue Cat)

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Bluefish (Tailor, Snapper)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American angler)

• Spot (mid- to late-April)

• Summer Flounder* (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)

• Channeled Whelk (Conch, Scungilli)

May, June, September, and October

CRABS

• Blue Crab

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

• Channeled Whelk (Conch, Scungilli)

FINFISH

• Croaker

• Blue Catfish (Catfish, Blue Cat)

• Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Blackfish, Rock Bass, Tallywag)

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Bluefish (Tailor, Snapper)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American Angler)

• Puffer (Sugar Toad)

• Spiny Dogfish (Cape Shark, Spurdog, Piked Dogfish, Chip Fish, Chip Shark)

• Spot

• Summer Flounder* (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)

July and August

CRABS

• Blue Crab

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

FINFISH

• Croaker

• Blue Catfish (Catfish, Blue Cat)

• Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Blackfish, Rock Bass, Tallywag)

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Bluefish (Tailor, Snapper)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American Angler)

• Puffer (Sugar Toad)

• Spiny Dogfish (Cape Shark, Spurdog, Piked Dogfish, Chip Fish, Chip Shark)

• Spot

• Summer Flounder* (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)

November

CRABS

• Blue Crab

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

• Channeled Whelk (Conch, Scungilli)

FINFISH

• Croaker

• Blue Catfish (Catfish, Blue Cat)

• Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Blackfish, Rock Bass, Tallywag)

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Bluefish (Tailor, Snapper)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American Angler)

• Spiny Dogfish (Cape Shark, Spurdog, Piked Dogfish, Chip Fish, Chip Shark)

• Spot

• Summer Flounder* (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)

December

CRABS

• Blue Crab

• Red Crab

SHELLFISH

• Eastern Oyster (American Oyster)

• Hard Clam (Hardshell Clam, Littleneck Clams, Northern Quahog)

• Sea Scallop (Giant Scallop, Scallop)

FINFISH

• Croaker

• Blue Catfish (Catfish, Blue Cat)

• Black Sea Bass (Sea Bass, Blackfish, Rock Bass, Tallywag)

• Striped Bass (Rockfish, Striper, Bass, Linesides)

• Monkfish (Goosefish, American Angler)

• Spiny Dogfish (Cape Shark, Spurdog, Piked Dogfish, Chip Fish, Chip Shark)

• Spot

• Summer Flounder* (Fluke, Northern Fluke, Plaice)