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Freshwater Fishing in Virginia
Virginia Fishing at a Glance
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to fish where the locals are always friendly, you’ll find Virginia to be one of the best freshwater fishing destinations in America. Here you can find stunning rivers, lakes and streams perfect for anglers of all levels of expertise.
Over 80,000 anglers visit Virginia every year, and with over 176,000 acres of public lakes, who can blame them!
In addition to being home to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and catfish, Virginia also has a healthy population of trout. Whether you’re fly fishing or spin casting, looking for a fight or a peaceful day out, there’s a good chance you’ll have a great day of fishing in Virginia.
If you’re new to freshwater fishing in Virginia, there are a few things you should know before hitting the water. First, all anglers must have a valid Virginia fishing license. You can purchase one online or at any sporting goods store. Second, there are size and creel limits for all fish species. Make sure to check the regulations before heading out. Lastly, there are many great places to fish for freshwater fish in Virginia. Here are a few of our favorites:
The James River is one of the most popular spots for freshwater fishing in Virginia. It’s home to many different species of fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie. The river is also a great place to catch striped bass.
Lake Moomaw is another great spot. It’s located in the western part of the state and is home to many different species of fish, including trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass.
The Shenandoah River is a popular spot for fly fishing in Virginia. It’s home to many different species of fish, including trout, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.
Virginia ranks #39 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 6.26% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Virginia is a great destination for freshwater fishing, with stunning rivers, lakes and streams perfect for all levels of expertise.
- Over 80,000 anglers visit Virginia each year, with over 176,000 acres of public lakes.
- Virginia is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and trout.
- All anglers must have a valid Virginia fishing license, and there are size and creel limits for all fish species.
- Some popular freshwater fishing spots in Virginia include the James River, Lake Moomaw, and the Shenandoah River.
- Virginia ranks #39 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita, with over 6.26% of the population having fishing licenses.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 8,631,393 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 540,550 |
| Fishing License % | 6.26% |
| Hunters Rank | 39 |
The state of Virginia is mostly private land with just 9.67% of acres considered public land -ranking #25 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 25,342,700 | ||
| Public | 2,449,870 | 9.67% | 25 |
| Private | 22,892,830 | 90.33% | 24 |
| Tribal | 0 | 0.00% | no tribal land |
Virginia Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Virginia DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Virginia DNR
P.O. Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228-0778
- (804) 367-1000
Fishing is a thrilling pastime for many, and it’s no surprise why. From the power of bass, to the flash of trout in cold waters, to the sheer diversity of habitats which catfish can be caught from, each type of fish provides its own exhilarating challenge. But perhaps the most enticing catch for an angler comes in the form of crappie – these tiny but delectable fish may not be as common as their counterparts, but that only makes them more valuable to those seeking a great fishing experience.
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Fishing private land in Virginia
Fishing on private land in Virginia has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Virginia or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Chesapeake Bay
2. Potomac River
3. Lake Anna
4. Smith Mountain Lake
5. Leesylvania State Park
Fishing private land in Virginia
Fishing on private land in Virginia has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Virginia or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.