Look to Virginia for your next fishing excursion. From fresh water to saltwater, there's plenty to do and lots of fish to catch. Stand on the bank and drop a line into a quiet lake, cast a fly into a lazy stream, find hot spots in rolling rivers, or take on the vast ocean for some deep sea fishing adventures, all in the state of Virginia.
Where to Fish In Virginia
Mossy Creek is a prime spot for smallmouth bass and trout. Drop a line or cast a fly, there are also many helpful shops and tourist centers around the lake. Smith Mountain Lake hosts schools of stripers, large and smallmouth bass, and trout. Guide services, boat rentals, and off-shore fishing co-exist on the huge freshwater Smith Mountain Lake. New River is famous for trophy-sized bass, walleye, stripers and muskie. Deep Sea fishing in the bays, inlets, and open waters off the shores of Virginia produce a splendid array of saltwater fish from amberjack and scrub to sea bass.
Species of Fish
Because of its inland and offshore combinations of waters, Virginia has an endless catalog of species that swim its waters. The most common are amberjack, black drum, striped and black sea bass, bluefish, blue catfish, speckled and gray trout, cobia, groupers, American and Spanish mackerel, red drum (also known as channel bass), scrup, shad, sheepshead and all varieties of shark. Visit the Virginia Marine Resources Center or the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to find out what the limits on each species are, and if there are any closings prior to each outing.
Licenses
Virginia has two types of fishing licenses: fresh and saltwater. The type of license you need depends on where you intend to fish. Upstream of the Potomac, Rappahannock, Piankatank or James Rivers or the York River System require a freshwater license. Downstream of those designations need saltwater licenses. All coastal waters and open waters require a saltwater license. Rivers not listed are entirely freshwater and any anglers fishing off any area of those waters must have a freshwater license. In addition to a saltwater license in areas required, anglers in the saltwater areas of Virginia all anglers must comply with the 2010 Mandatory Saltwater Angler Registry.
Fishing Season
The coastal season for Virginia fishing including Virginia's territorial seawaters, creeks, bays and inlets is from Jan. 1 through March 31, and then again from May 16 through Dec. 31. There is a special coastal trophy season from May 1 through May 15 for the general coastal area, and also in the Chesapeake Bay and all of its tributaries from May 1 through June 15. The Chesapeake Bay fishing seasons are May 16 through June 15, and again from Oct. 4 through Dec. 31. Freshwater fishing is open year-round unless otherwise noted by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Charters and Guides
A guide greatly increases the chances of success when fishing Virginia's inland waters and guides and charters for ocean fishing are a requirement unless you have a lot of money invested in expensive boats and equipment. The guides and charters can take care of all your equipment needs, supply the appropriate baits and lures, and even furnish each angler with the correct licenses taking all the guesswork and stress out of a fishing experience.
Member Comments