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Virginia
Virginia's fishing waters span from the Atlantic coast to the Appalachian mountains, offering saltwater, freshwater, and brackish options within a few hours of most population centers. The state holds largemouth and smallmouth bass in its lakes and rivers, striped bass in tidal systems, and saltwater species like flounder and red drum along the coast. Each region has distinct seasons, access points, and regulations that shape what you can catch and when.
These articles cover where to fish across Virginia—specific lakes, rivers, and coastal areas with details on what species live there, the best times to visit, how to reach the water, and what regulations apply. You'll find information about seasonal patterns, what gear works for different species, and how conditions change throughout the year so you can plan a trip that matches your target fish and skill level.
48 articles
- Fishing Assateague Island National Seashore: What to Expect and Where to GoLearn about Fishing Assateague Island National Seashore: What to Expect and Where to Go
- Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Fishing, Seasons, and What to ExpectLearn about Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Fishing, Seasons, and What to Expect
- Black Narrows Channel: Striped Bass and Catfish in Virginia's Tidal James RiverLearn about Black Narrows Channel: Striped Bass and Catfish in Virginia's Tidal James River
- Fishing Bryan Park Lake in Richmond: What to Expect and How to Get ThereLearn about Fishing Bryan Park Lake in Richmond: What to Expect and How to Get There
- Cape Charles Beach: A Quiet Fishing Spot on Virginia's Eastern ShoreLearn about Cape Charles Beach: A Quiet Fishing Spot on Virginia's Eastern Shore
- Cape Charles Fishing Pier: What to Expect and How to Fish ItLearn about Cape Charles Fishing Pier: What to Expect and How to Fish It
- Fishing Castlewood Park: Smallmouth Bass and Muskie in the New RiverLearn about Fishing Castlewood Park: Smallmouth Bass and Muskie in the New River
- Fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: Access, Species, and What to ExpectLearn about Fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: Access, Species, and What to Expect
- Fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Islands: Access, Species, and What to ExpectLearn about Fishing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Islands: Access, Species, and What to Expect
- Fishing Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge: What to Expect on Virginia's Eastern ShoreLearn about Fishing Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge: What to Expect on Virginia's Eastern Shore
- Chuckatuck Creek: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in Southeastern VirginiaLearn about Chuckatuck Creek: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in Southeastern Virginia
- Fishing the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier in Virginia's Northern NeckLearn about Fishing the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier in Virginia's Northern Neck
- Deep Hole Creek, Virginia — Smallmouth Bass and Native Trout in the Shenandoah ValleyLearn about Deep Hole Creek, Virginia — Smallmouth Bass and Native Trout in the Shenandoah Valley
- Fishing the Elizabeth River: Stripers, Catfish, and Urban Tidal WaterLearn about Fishing the Elizabeth River: Stripers, Catfish, and Urban Tidal Water
- Fishing at First Landing State Park: Saltwater Access and Seasonal Species in Virginia BeachLearn about Fishing at First Landing State Park: Saltwater Access and Seasonal Species in Virginia Beach
- Fishing Forest Hill Park Lake in Richmond, VirginiaLearn about Fishing Forest Hill Park Lake in Richmond, Virginia
- Fishing Huntington Park Lake in Newport News, VirginiaLearn about Fishing Huntington Park Lake in Newport News, Virginia
- Fishing the James River in Virginia: What to Expect by Season and LocationLearn about Fishing the James River in Virginia: What to Expect by Season and Location
- Fishing the James River Pier in Richmond: What to Expect and How to Fish ItLearn about Fishing the James River Pier in Richmond: What to Expect and How to Fish It
- Fishing at Kiptopeke State Park: Saltwater Access on Virginia's Eastern ShoreLearn about Fishing at Kiptopeke State Park: Saltwater Access on Virginia's Eastern Shore
- Fishing the Lafayette River in Norfolk, VirginiaLearn about Fishing the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia
- Fishing Lake Burnt Mills in Virginia: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in a Small ReservoirLearn about Fishing Lake Burnt Mills in Virginia: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in a Small Reservoir
- Fishing Lake Maury in Powhatan County, VirginiaLearn about Fishing Lake Maury in Powhatan County, Virginia
- Fishing Lake Mead: What to Expect and How to Plan Your TripLearn about Fishing Lake Mead: What to Expect and How to Plan Your Trip
- Fishing Lake Prince in Virginia: Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and Crappie in a Shallow ImpoundmentLearn about Fishing Lake Prince in Virginia: Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and Crappie in a Shallow Impoundment
- Fishing Lake Smith, Virginia: What to Expect and How to Get ThereLearn about Fishing Lake Smith, Virginia: What to Expect and How to Get There
- Fishing Lake Whitehurst in Virginia: What to Expect and How to Get ThereLearn about Fishing Lake Whitehurst in Virginia: What to Expect and How to Get There
- Lee Hall Reservoir: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in a Working Water SupplyLearn about Lee Hall Reservoir: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in a Working Water Supply
- Fishing Little Bay, Virginia: Saltwater Access and What to ExpectLearn about Fishing Little Bay, Virginia: Saltwater Access and What to Expect
- Fishing Little Island Park Pier in Virginia BeachLearn about Fishing Little Island Park Pier in Virginia Beach
- Fishing Lone Star Lakes Park in Virginia: What to Expect and How to Plan Your VisitLearn about Fishing Lone Star Lakes Park in Virginia: What to Expect and How to Plan Your Visit
- Fishing Lynnhaven Inlet: Saltwater Access Near Virginia BeachLearn about Fishing Lynnhaven Inlet: Saltwater Access Near Virginia Beach
- Fishing Monroe Bay, Virginia: Saltwater Access and What to Expect Year-RoundLearn about Fishing Monroe Bay, Virginia: Saltwater Access and What to Expect Year-Round
- Fishing the Nansemond River: Striped Bass, Catfish, and Tidal Access in Southeast VirginiaLearn about Fishing the Nansemond River: Striped Bass, Catfish, and Tidal Access in Southeast Virginia
- Fishing Newport News Park: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in a Working WaterfrontLearn about Fishing Newport News Park: Largemouth Bass and Catfish in a Working Waterfront
- Fishing Ocean View Pier in Norfolk, VirginiaLearn about Fishing Ocean View Pier in Norfolk, Virginia
- Fishing and Wildlife Viewing at Pleasure House Point Natural AreaLearn about Fishing and Wildlife Viewing at Pleasure House Point Natural Area
- Fishing the Potomac River at Colonial Beach, VirginiaLearn about Fishing the Potomac River at Colonial Beach, Virginia
- Fishing Queen Sound Channel: Stripers, Flounder, and Tidal Access in Virginia's Eastern ShoreLearn about Fishing Queen Sound Channel: Stripers, Flounder, and Tidal Access in Virginia's Eastern Shore
- Fishing Rudee Inlet: Seasons, Species, and What to ExpectLearn about Fishing Rudee Inlet: Seasons, Species, and What to Expect
- Fishing Sandbridge Beach: Pier, Surf, and Inlet Access in Virginia BeachLearn about Fishing Sandbridge Beach: Pier, Surf, and Inlet Access in Virginia Beach
- Fishing Shields Lake, Virginia: What to Expect and How to Get ThereLearn about Fishing Shields Lake, Virginia: What to Expect and How to Get There
- Fishing Sleepy Hole Park: A Beginner-Friendly Spot in Suffolk, VirginiaLearn about Fishing Sleepy Hole Park: A Beginner-Friendly Spot in Suffolk, Virginia
- Fishing The Point at Colonial Beach, VirginiaLearn about Fishing The Point at Colonial Beach, Virginia
- Tom's Cove, Chincoteague Island: Saltwater Fishing for Flounder, Spot, and DrumLearn about Tom's Cove, Chincoteague Island: Saltwater Fishing for Flounder, Spot, and Drum
- What to Catch at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier and When to GoLearn about What to Catch at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier and When to Go
- Fishing Western Branch Reservoir in Virginia: Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and Crappie Year-RoundLearn about Fishing Western Branch Reservoir in Virginia: Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and Crappie Year-Round
- Willoughby Bay Fishing Guide — Saltwater Access Near NorfolkLearn about Willoughby Bay Fishing Guide — Saltwater Access Near Norfolk