Wednesday, Oct. 14 was the last day of the commercial 2026 peeler (blue crab) pot season. Pots have to be pulled up to make way for the opening day of oyster season that kicked in on Oct. 15.
Oystermen can work Rappahannock River oyster ground area 6 off of Whitings Creek at Locust Hill from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30. The winter window has area 6 for commercial harvest from Feb. 15 through Feb. 28.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission rotates oyster grounds throughout state waters as a conservation measure. Watermen are allowed to dredge for oysters using a 21-inch wide dredge and can catch eight bushels per license on a boat up to 16 bushels.
