Kiptopeke State Park, Northampton County, VA
Sheepshead fishing today
Workable day for Sheepshead.
68/100
Why today scores 68
- 60°F water — Inside Sheepshead's active range
- incoming tide — Sheepshead prefers slack tide
- 8 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Kiptopeke State Park
- Water temp
- 60°F
- Air temp
- 69°F
- Wind
- 3 to 8 mph NW
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:20 AM / 7:44 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:40 AM - 1:40 AM · 4:40 AM - 6:40 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:10 PM - 7:10 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus. Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Preferred water temp: 60–82°F (ideal 72°F). Preferred tide: slack.
VA regulations
- Daily creel limit
- 4
Virginia tidal waters: no minimum size (removed in a prior VMRC cycle). 4 fish per day. Open year-round; in practice the fishery is May through October. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-1110.
Source: VA regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.